Wild Birds of Europe

Miranda1 wrote in post #19428691
Thanks. There are many opportunities to photograph raptors in my small town, they nest in the Cliff faces of the river Douro. Griffons are very common, we also get Golden and Bonelli's Eagles, Peregrines and a few other species in the area. It's a pretty remote area located on the border of Spain and Portugal.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/ywFy​wb Sao Joao by Jose Raposo, on Flickr

I wouldn't mind shooting griffon vultures there, looks stunning. Eagles would be pretty smart too!

Eye on the fly

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2nNM​WAi

sidknee wrote in post #19428845
I wouldn't mind shooting griffon vultures there, looks stunning. Eagles would be pretty smart too!

Yeah it's a pretty special place, lots of photographic and hiking opportunities unfortunately I only get to see it once a year when I head over to Portugal for the summer.

Last of the Griffons

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2nJp​9Cu

Miranda1 wrote in post #19428970
Last of the Griffons

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2nJp​9Cu Griffon by Jose Raposo, on Flickr

Nice exposure and focus showing lots of detail make this a nice image. The title made me look- I realize now this is the last of your series, as this vulture is listed as "least concern" and not almost extinct.

Capn Jack wrote in post #19428972
Nice exposure and focus showing lots of detail make this a nice image. The title made me look- I realize now this is the last of your series, as this vulture is listed as "least concern" and not almost extinct.

In the series I should have stated.

Went on a boattrip on the Northsea. Gulls galore but some other species including these juvenile Jan van Gent(Gannet). Sadly no adults and not very close to the ship.

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pied avocet

Photo from Weja's gallery.

Kleine jager(Parasitic jaeger/skua)

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Mike-P wrote in post #19428336
Cormorant from this morning.

IMAGE LINK: https://www.flickr.com …2380660435/in/p​hotostream
Cormorant with lunch] by Mike.Pursey on Flickr

It’s quite amazing the size of fish they can swallow. That’s a nice catch for the both of you, Mike.

Miranda1 wrote in post #19428691
Thanks. There are many opportunities to photograph raptors in my small town, they nest in the Cliff faces of the river Douro. Griffons are very common, we also get Golden and Bonelli's Eagles, Peregrines and a few other species in the area. It's a pretty remote area located on the border of Spain and Portugal.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/ywFy​wb Sao Joao by Jose Raposo, on Flickr

That’s impressive landscape, Jose. Over here everything is cultivated, even our bits of “wild nature”. And everything is flat of course. I love the picture.

sidknee wrote in post #19428846
Eye on the fly

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2nNM​WAi DSC09466-22-09-21-15-0-43 by Sid Simmons, on Flickr

common buzzard, juvenile

Another great shot, Sid. So, did he eat it? Would he, big bird that he is, a tiny bug?

pcs wrote in post #19429070
Went on a boattrip on the Northsea. Gulls galore but some other species including these juvenile Jan van Gent(Gannet). Sadly no adults and not very close to the ship.

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forum: Birds

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Still, it’s not your every day trip and you came away with decent shots. I would be sooo seasick! Love the diving gannet in particular.

Weja wrote in post #19429076
pied avocet

Gallery photo:
posted by Weja originally in forum: Wildlife

Weja

Lovely, Jan!

A duck landing in the pond in the lowlands.

jan1977 wrote in post #19429659
A duck landing in the pond in the lowlands.

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Great shot!! Perfect timing!! It looks like he is standing on the water!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Levina de Ruijter wrote in post #19429571
Another great shot, Sid. So, did he eat it? Would he, big bird that he is, a tiny bug?

Thanks Levina, no it flew on by, the bird had bigger things on it's mind......

Short story, the was a chicken carcass it was interested in.

Long story, Over the last few weeks week have had 2 chickens killed and partially eaten in their run. On the second occasion a large bird of prey was seen flying off. Suspect it could be a goshawk. Chickens are now in an enclosed run. Last night at about 7.30 just at putting away time one of the ducks in a separate open run was killed by a large bird of prey which flew off as the pen was approached. Tonight as I was walking at dusk I could here the chickens clearly in distress and found 2 live chickens and a dead one and a wildly flapping juvenile goshawk all stuck in the enclosed run. A towel was quickly fetched and I fairly easily caught the goshawk with the towel over it. It stayed remarkably calm until I started to uncover it for a pic before release but a quick flap and wriggle and off it went no time for pics!
Obviously a determined bird, it had got in through a gap where two edges of chicken wire meet on the top of the enclosure. A bit more security is required!
rubbish phone pics are all that was managed unfortunately.

Of course the upside to the carnage, the goshawk doesn't eat much, head and organs mainly, is the buzzards get to dine out for a day before the foxes take the rest after dark. Of course there are photo opportunities that arise from that and on the day poor ducky was out there the whole buzzard family came by

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2nPt​uPq

sidknee wrote in post #19429710
Thanks Levina, no it flew on by, the bird had bigger things on it's mind......

Short story, the was a chicken carcass it was interested in.

Long story, Over the last few weeks week have had 2 chickens killed and partially eaten in their run. On the second occasion a large bird of prey was seen flying off. Suspect it could be a goshawk. Chickens are now in an enclosed run. Last night at about 7.30 just at putting away time one of the ducks in a separate open run was killed by a large bird of prey which flew off as the pen was approached. Tonight as I was walking at dusk I could here the chickens clearly in distress and found 2 live chickens and a dead one and a wildly flapping juvenile goshawk all stuck in the enclosed run. A towel was quickly fetched and I fairly easily caught the goshawk with the towel over it. It stayed remarkably calm until I started to uncover it for a pic before release but a quick flap and wriggle and off it went no time for pics!
Obviously a determined bird, it had got in through a gap where two edges of chicken wire meet on the top of the enclosure. A bit more security is required!
rubbish phone pics are all that was managed unfortunately.

Of course the upside to the carnage, the goshawk doesn't eat much, head and organs mainly, is the buzzards get to dine out for a day before the foxes take the rest after dark. Of course there are photo opportunities that arise from that and on the day poor ducky was out there the whole buzzard family came by

Hosted photo: posted by sidknee in
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forum: Birds

goshawk, juvenile

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2nPt​uPq DSC00593-22-09-24-14-58-9 by Sid Simmons, on Flickr

common buzzards, juvenile shouting at female parent

Sid, wow what an interesting encounter with the Goshawk! Northern Goshawks are a fearsome raptors, especially the females which are quite large. I have only ever seen a wide Goshawk once here in the city where I live and it was during the winter, I watched a Northern Goshawk swoop in and capture a pigeon by the side of the road, I stayed in my car and watched him for quite a while, he eventually carried the carcass off, it was an experience I will never forget.

sidknee wrote in post #19429710
Thanks Levina, no it flew on by, the bird had bigger things on it's mind......

Short story, the was a chicken carcass it was interested in.

Long story, Over the last few weeks week have had 2 chickens killed and partially eaten in their run. On the second occasion a large bird of prey was seen flying off. Suspect it could be a goshawk. Chickens are now in an enclosed run. Last night at about 7.30 just at putting away time one of the ducks in a separate open run was killed by a large bird of prey which flew off as the pen was approached. Tonight as I was walking at dusk I could here the chickens clearly in distress and found 2 live chickens and a dead one and a wildly flapping juvenile goshawk all stuck in the enclosed run. A towel was quickly fetched and I fairly easily caught the goshawk with the towel over it. It stayed remarkably calm until I started to uncover it for a pic before release but a quick flap and wriggle and off it went no time for pics!
Obviously a determined bird, it had got in through a gap where two edges of chicken wire meet on the top of the enclosure. A bit more security is required!
rubbish phone pics are all that was managed unfortunately.

Of course the upside to the carnage, the goshawk doesn't eat much, head and organs mainly, is the buzzards get to dine out for a day before the foxes take the rest after dark. Of course there are photo opportunities that arise from that and on the day poor ducky was out there the whole buzzard family came by

Hosted photo: posted by sidknee in
./showthread.php?p=194​29710&i=i94944677
forum: Birds

goshawk, juvenile

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2nPt​uPq DSC00593-22-09-24-14-58-9 by Sid Simmons, on Flickr

common buzzards, juvenile shouting at female parent

Wow, what a story, Sid. It sounds absolutely brutal! Poor chickens. Good thing that nothing is wasted. But my, it’s harsh out there.

Your pic of the goshawk stuck in the run may be taken with a smartphone but you got it. And it is pretty unique too. That was quick thinking!