Peter's Big Year 2017

[PeterHG]

213. Gadwall, Nijkerk 4th May. Not the most spectacular of ducks but their fine feather pattern makes them look special anyway. Quite common in the wetland areas here.

 

[PeterHG]

214. Common Redshank. Nijkerk 4th May. Unlike the Godwit they are still doing quite well.

 

[PeterHG]

215. Northern Lapwing. Nijkerk, 4th May. Ok, this little one is our hope for the future..

 

[PeterHG]

216. Eurasian Sparrowhawk. Ameide 6th May.

 

[PeterHG]

217. Goldfinch. Ameide 6th May. Unlike with some fellow ST members they never visit our garden, so I wouldn't know if they like sunflower hearts here...

 

[PeterHG]

218. White Stork. Ameide 6th May. After being almost extinct in the Netherlands in the seventies, they have made a spectacular come-back over the last decades.

 

[PeterHG]

219. Common Swift. Nijkerk 8th May. On some evenings they fly low enough for the annual Swift-in-flight challenge.

 

[PeterHG]

220. Purple Heron. Ameide 9th May. Much rarer than the Grey Heron.

 

[Dave Williams]

Some stunning flight shots added Peter, especially the little birds! I tried for Bluethroat in display flight and failed quite miserably.

[Peter Connan]

Some stunning flight shots added Peter, especially the little birds! I tried for Bluethroat in display flight and failed quite miserably.

Couldn't agree more!

[PeterHG]

Thanks @@Peter Connan, @@Dave Williams! To put things in perspective: for the Bluethroat this was the only keeper I managed to get, all the others were binned. Still, in spite of the less than ideal wing position, I was very happy to at least pull off this one. The 100-400 II zoom proves itself fast enough for these type of shots in combination with the 7DII. And the set-up, even for me, is hand-holdable.

[Dave Williams]

For the record I was using the same combination when I failed in my efforts !!!! Obviously operator error then.

[PeterHG]

221. Common Pochard. Ameide 9th May.

 

Edited May 23, 2017 by PeterHG

[PeterHG]

222. Black Tern. Ameide 9th May. Uncommon and beautiful marsh tern. Not easy to get a picture of as their flight is unpredictable and often low against a reed background.

 

Edited May 23, 2017 by PeterHG

[PeterHG]

223. Common Whitethroat. Zeewolde 10th May. Widespread and often conspicuously singing from the top of bushes.

 

Edited May 23, 2017 by PeterHG

[PeterHG]

224. Garden Warbler. Zeewolde 10th May. One of my nemesis birds as far as photography is concerned. I hear it regularly but it seldom allows a decent shot.

 

Edited May 23, 2017 by PeterHG

[PeterHG]

225. Willow Warbler. Zeewolde 11th May. Their song seems to be everywhere around you, once Spring has returned.

 

Edited May 23, 2017 by PeterHG

[PeterHG]

226. Red-breasted Goose. Zeewolde 11th May. Definitely an EBC shot, but I was happy to find one among the Barnacle Geese.

 

Edited May 23, 2017 by PeterHG

[PeterHG]

227. Eurasian Curlew. Lauwersmeer 15th May.

 

[PeterHG]

228. Eurasian Oystercatcher. Lauwersmeer 15th May

 

[PeterHG]

229. Ruff. Lauwersmeer 15th May. Aren't the males gorgeous this time of year? All but disappeared as a breeding bird, but still migrate in considerable numbers.

 

 

[PeterHG]

For the record I was using the same combination when I failed in my efforts !!!! Obviously operator error then.

 

Somehow I just think I got more lucky.....

[Dave Williams]

Very envious of the Ruffs, I'd love to see them looking like that. One day perhaps.

The Black Tern is a cracking shot too.

[PeterHG]

230. Pied Avocet. Petten 25th May. Definitely one of the most graceful of our waders. Still quite common in certain areas fortunately.

 

[PeterHG]

231. Black-tailed Godwit. Lauwersmeer 15th May. Our national bird, whose survival is anything but certain. There is a steady decline in numbers each year and 2106 produced only 4000 chicks, not enough for a sustainable population. Various protection projects have been set up, but until now, with limited succes.