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

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

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

Capercaillie in wildlife enclosure

Old and weakened trees have not been felled and removed from the forests for years, but remain there until they are knocked over by the wind or pushed down by the snow. Insects such as the bark beetle, which are seen as pests in commercial forests, are allowed to make their natural contribution to forest… Continue reading Capercaillie in wildlife enclosure

Spot-throated Hummingbird in the Marañon valley

A complex series of high chirping sounds and rolling, wheezing, humming or rollovers in one song let me take a closer look at the shadow of a bush. It is the Spot-throated Hummingbird (Leucippus taczanowski) that sings at the spot. I am on the way from the small town of Chamaya in the wider area… Continue reading Spot-throated Hummingbird in the Marañon valley

Chlidonia’s terns in Germany

It applies to all species of the genus Chlidonias that they colonize nutrient-rich waters with rich bank vegetation, especially on lakes and slowly flowing rivers. They build their nests on floating plants and often form colonies during breeding season. Long stalks of rushes, ledges and cattails are used as building material. These are easy to… Continue reading Chlidonia’s terns in Germany

Nature in the Wadden Sea

The Wadden Sea is considered one of the last semi-natural landscapes in Central Europe. The Wadden Sea is the largest unbroken system of intertidal sand and mud flats in the world, with natural processes undisturbed throughout most of the area. It stretches from Denmark, over Germany to Netherlands over more than 1,100,000 ha and encompasses… Continue reading Nature in the Wadden Sea

Anhingas in Florida

The ditch along the visitor’s trail is teeming with fish. Suddenly a sharp, dart-like beak emerges out of the water right in front of us. It is followed by a long piece of neck. Like a snake, Anhingas – the snakebird – (Anhinga anhinga) glides silently through the water. Its water-permeable plumage reduces the buoyancy… Continue reading Anhingas in Florida

Birding in the Marañon valley

The Spot-throated Hummingbird (Leucippus taczanowski) is one of the (almost) endemic birds in the Marañon valley and one of the top finds for an excursion in this remote  northeastern part of Peru. The of the Hummingbird´s underparts are cream or very light gray and there are small glittering spots on the chest and throat. The… Continue reading Birding in the Marañon valley

Huet-huet: observation in Patagonia

Patagonia is a country of contrasts. Patagonia, the storm-swept south end of the South American continent, does not only captivate nature photographers. The further south you go and the narrower the continent, the wider and more endless the landscape seems to become. Suddenly, rugged mountains protrude from the plain like fangs. Scraps of cloud hunt… Continue reading Huet-huet: observation in Patagonia

Extremadura, a paradise for birders

The steppes and extensive dehesas of Caceres and Trujillo are famous for their steppe bird life. Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus), Montagu’s Harrier (Circus pygargus), Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni), Little Bustard (Tetrax tetrax), Great Bustard (Otis tarda), Eurasian Thick-knee (Burhinus oedicnemus), Pin-tailed Sandgrouse (Pterocles alchata), Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Pterocles orientalis), Azure-winged Magpie (Cyanopica cyana) and Calandra Lark… Continue reading Extremadura, a paradise for birders

Visiting Skomer Island for Puffins

It is cool and cloudy when I am in Martin’s Haven in the morning. This is where the ferries leave for Skomer Island. The boat to Skomer Island departs from Martin’s Haven, a small bay that can be reached by car in a few minutes from Marloes in western Wales. The ferry will normally transfer… Continue reading Visiting Skomer Island for Puffins