In the morning we are already a while on the road in the sparse savanna forest with lots of brachystegia, the typical tree of the African wooded savannah. Now is dry season. Between the trees are tall grasses, which are usually dried up. Suddenly you can see a shrike. Immediately I remember the Red-backed Shrike… Continue reading Souza’s Shrike in Brachystegia dry forest / Malawi
Category: Where to watch birds
Photographing Shining Blue Kingfisher at perch in Ghana
A blue twitch in the shadow of an overhanging bush directly near the path along the water. A Shining Blue Kingfisher (Alcedo quadribrachys) has established a perch just on a quite busy trail on an overhanging branch. The Shining Blue Kingfisher sits just 1m above water level – ie at eye level for us. A… Continue reading Photographing Shining Blue Kingfisher at perch in Ghana
White-throated Dippers in the valleys of the Vosges
A black bird with partially white belly rushes in a low flight along between huge boulders over the fast-flowing stream. For sure, this is a White-throated Dipper (Cinclus cinclus). Often you see them with nesting material in the beak. These are the classic photos that you see of dippers. They fly preferably to and from… Continue reading White-throated Dippers in the valleys of the Vosges
Heligoland and its Northern Gannets
A spectacular whitish bird almost effortless standing in the windy air on close distance. But also deafening screeching, biting fishy smell and occasionally a drop of bird droppings from the air. It is not a pure pleasure to photograph at the Heligoland bird cliffs. But you can exploit a unique approach in aerial photography –… Continue reading Heligoland and its Northern Gannets
Etchécopar’s Owlet in Shai Hills Resource Reserve
The target area of the morning is the Shai Hills Resource Reserve. We try to manage to see the scarce local form of African Barred Owlet sometimes split as Etchécopar’s Owlet (Glaucidium etchecopari). While the morning was still fresh we left the van to search for the bird in the dense thickets at Bat Cave.… Continue reading Etchécopar’s Owlet in Shai Hills Resource Reserve
South Luangwa Nationalpark/ Zambia
Eventually we are standing on the Luangwa Bridge. Crocodiles sunbathe on the other side of the river, baboons and impalas roam through the woods. The call of the African Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer) is the final proof. That’s Africa!, Luangwa Bridge offers already great photo opportunities. The Luangwa Bridge leads into the park. Immediately you… Continue reading South Luangwa Nationalpark/ Zambia
Middle Spotted Woodpecker at Hainich National Park, Thuringia
A high-pitched call in early spring is heard from afar. An obtrusive väh-wäh-wäh – combination of calls can be heard after. A beautiful old mixed beech forest with several layers and plenty of dead wood is home of the Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos medius). A small hiking trail passes the ground at Langes Tal in… Continue reading Middle Spotted Woodpecker at Hainich National Park, Thuringia
Chucao Tapaculo in Patagonia
A thicket of bamboo, ferns, mushrooms and moss in the interior of the forests of Patagonia offers many animals hiding places. The king of the forests is the Chucao Tapaculo (Scelorchilus rubecula), a small bird with an artistic and loud reputation typical of the rainforests of southern Chile. However, normally it lives very hidden and… Continue reading Chucao Tapaculo in Patagonia
Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) near Camperduin/ Noord Holland
A small road and a deep ditch are one of the ingredients of a birdwatching trip in Noord-Holland. Right now, an additional add-on is the sighting of a Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis). This Egret is rare in middle Europe but a common inhabitant of southern Europe. If you want to save time and distance you… Continue reading Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) near Camperduin/ Noord Holland
Red-throated Pipit: Fall migration along Egypts Rea Sea
Hotel garden lawns along the Red Sea coast can be remarkable birdy. The sun has just appeared on the horizon for 3 hours. Nevertheless, it is already really hot. Coming from breakfast in a hotel complex on the Egyptian Red Sea, we walk first our inspection round. Here we see again the two Ruffs (Calidris… Continue reading Red-throated Pipit: Fall migration along Egypts Rea 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
Sandy beaches on Sylt
Bar-tailed Godwits (Limosa lapponica), Eurasian Curlews (Numenius arquata), Spotted Redshanks (Tringa erythropus), Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) and – maybe – even one Terek Sandpiper (Xenus cinereus) in the backlight of the evening. Some flocks of waders are flying in. Evening mood at the Lister Ellenbogen (elbow). You might think you are alone in the world.… Continue reading Sandy beaches on Sylt