Bird Trips (Pictures & Stories)

Kestrel: young male in Durmitor National Park/ Montenegro

A hovering Eurasian Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is a frequent sight over the open, higher reaches of the alpine meadows of Durmitor National Park. Above 1,600 m above sea level, it can look for its prey in the open landscape. Here, too, it is probably primarily Voles (Microtus agrestis) that can account for up to 90%… Continue reading Kestrel: young male in Durmitor National Park/ Montenegro

Rotbrustfalke – Paar im Pantanal

Ein Paar Falken sitzt hoch in einer kahlen Baumkrone und genießt offensichtlich das Nachmittagslicht. Es sind Rotbrustfalken (Falco deiroleucus), die im englischen Orange-breasted Falcon genannt werden. Der Rotbrustfalke ist ein Greifvogel der Neotropis, dessen Verbreitungsgebiet sich früher von Südmexiko bis nach Nordargentinien erstreckte. Heute ist er in seinem ausgedehnten Verbreitungsgebiet nur noch lokal anzutreffen,… Continue reading Rotbrustfalke – Paar im Pantanal

Photographing Herons from a boat on Rio Pixaim

I was excited to see all the animals that would show up during our boat trip in the Pantanal. Maybe a Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis)? And what about Jabirus (Jabiru mycteria) or a Pied Lapwing (Vanellus cayanus) or/and other birds? To cut to the chase: I was able to see them all and photograph many… Continue reading Photographing Herons from a boat on Rio Pixaim

Birds at Garganta del Diablo-Falls

When approaching the falls „Garganta del Diablo“, one feels with every meter more and more with which power the waterfall thunders over many meters into the depth. Already from some distance we get an impression of what would still expect us at the Iguaçu waterfalls. At the Iguaçu waterfalls one has the possibility to feel… Continue reading Birds at Garganta del Diablo-Falls

Ringed Kingfisher in Pantanal

Quietly a Ringed Kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata) stands on a branch above a channel accompanying the track. Slowly I approach with the Landcruiser. The bird, which was scientifically called Ceryle torquata in former times, is however so tense with prey observation, that it does not pay attention to me. So some close-up photos are taken. … Continue reading Ringed Kingfisher in Pantanal

White-eared Puffbird in Chapada dos Guimaraes/ Brazil

Leaves at the edge of the dusty track are covered thick with rusty-looking dust. After a cool night, the early morning drives the birds into the first rays of sunlight. So also a White-eared Puffbird (Nystalus chacuru). The bird sits just at the roadside in a bush equipped with leathery leaves. I photograph the Puffbird… Continue reading White-eared Puffbird in Chapada dos Guimaraes/ Brazil

Pallas’s Grasshopper-Warbler searching in Sri Lanka

The morning light is fantastic this morning in southern Sri Lanka very close to the famous Bundala National Park. After we have already been very successful with some water birds, we now want to dedicate ourselves to a wintering bird from Central Asia. I was just able to photograph a female Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)… Continue reading Pallas’s Grasshopper-Warbler searching in Sri Lanka

Banded Pitta in southern Thailand

A lunch and a nap after an adventurous morning. In the afternoon Yotin is waiting for me with his heavy 4X4 pick-up truck from Ford and we drive back to the park. The entry ticket for 200 baht is still valid and I can go straight through. His co-worker, a real mine dog, has now… Continue reading Banded Pitta in southern Thailand

Puna Ground-Tyrant (Muscisaxicola juninensis) in north-west Argentina

This day is really hard core „expedition“. I do not know how to describe the excursions before, but if expedition means loneliness, vastness, untouched landscape, discovering, then this day is exactly that. After spending the night in Lagunilla de Farallon in a crack of a house and sleeping quite well despite the 4,200m altitude, I… Continue reading Puna Ground-Tyrant (Muscisaxicola juninensis) in north-west Argentina

Wintering Bramblings in Apaj-Pussta/ Hungary

Icy wind drove the snow clouds in the wide valley of the Danube plain in front of it. After it had snowed for a few days, it became noticeably drier, but also significantly colder. Temperatures below -10 ° C were not uncommon. One day, one day after New Years Day 1999, I went on a… Continue reading Wintering Bramblings in Apaj-Pussta/ Hungary

White-bearded Manakin at Monte Pacoal Nationalpark in Mata Atlântica

Just before the turnoff to NP Monte Pacoal is a great granite cone that really looks like a finger. This is the summit of Monte Pascoal which is only 536 m high, but looks very impressive. The weather is quite sunny all the time, but humid. But when I get to the NP, I experience… Continue reading White-bearded Manakin at Monte Pacoal Nationalpark in Mata Atlântica

Caspian Tern on southern shores

„Among the vast hordes of sea birds nesting in the great colonies of the southern Atlantic and Gulf coasts, this king of all the terns may be seen climbing into the air on its long, strong wings, its big red bill wide open, yelling out its loud raucous cry of defiance. As the dominant, ruling… Continue reading Caspian Tern on southern shores