Common Goldeneye [knipa]

A pair of goldeneyes. Such a perfect match! Byfjorden, Uddevalla, on December 13, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 100, 300mm, f/5.8, 1/200.

Great Tit [talgoxe]

It's getting colder, and there are more great tits at the feeding station than the week before. Pic from A. Hedegärde, Uddevalla, on December 13, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 100, 300mm, f/5.8, 1/80. 

Busy at Our Feeding Station

The crows and the magpies helped finish the lard we'd placed in the coconut (we'll refill tomorrow), but there's still plenty of seeds for the smaller birds. Three of our most frequent visitors are represented in this pic. Unfortunately, the blue tits didn't want to join the party, nor did the blackbird. Later in the season, we hope for bullfinches, robins, and of course some woodpeckers. Hedegärde, Uddevalla, on December 3, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 800, 300mm, f/5.8, 1/400.

Whooper Swan [sångsvan]

Some whooper swans, passing by on their way in search for whatever. Hedegärde, Uddevalla, on December 3, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 100, 108mm, f/6.3, 1/320.

European Blue Tit [blåmes]

Lucky photographer: A. (The "supply pipe" is on the back of a tractor unit.) Hedegärde, Uddevalla, on November 29, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 3200, 300mm, f/5.8, 1/400.

Willow Tit [talltita]

One of my winter favorites, the smart willow tit. Älje-Porsen nature reserve, Uddevalla, on December 2, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 1600, 300mm, f/5.8, 1/400. 

Eurasian Nuthatch [nötväcka]

For the first time this winter season, we went to the feeding station in one of our close by nature reserves. The small birds were very busy, as you can see. Älje-Porsen nature reserve, Uddevalla, on December 1, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 1600, 300mm, f/5.8, 1/400.

Eurasian Nuthatch [nötväcka]

One of the great tits was first in line for the seed station, but then came the nuthatches. They were obviously looking for some sunflower seeds. Hedegärde, Uddevalla, on November 21, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO1600, 300mm, f/5.8, 1/400.

Common Magpie [skata]

This is one very happy magpie. Today, we opened the feeding station for the season, and first in line for the coconut filled with lard were – of course – the magpies. Hedegärde, Uddevalla, on November 21, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 400, 300mm, f/5.5, 1/400.

European Blue Tit [blåmes]

There are still plenty of food in the woods for our small, resident birds. This lucky blue tit has found a small bug of some sorts. Pic from A. Hedegärde, Uddevalla, on November 17, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 1600, 300mm, f/5,8, 1/400.

Winter Wren [gärdsmyg]

You can see how angry he is, can´t you? We don´t take our cat for a walk in the woods unnoticed… Pic from A. Hedegärde, Uddevalla, on November 17, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 1600, 300mm, f/5.8, 1/400. 

Great Tit [talgoxe]

We haven't started feeding our birds yet, so the great tits hang around in the woods. Hedegärde, Uddevalla, on November 12, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 200, 300mm, f/5.8, 1/400.

Eurasian Nuthatch [nötväcka]

A. took the camera to the woods today, and brought back some nice shots of the nuthatch. Hedegärde, Uddevalla, on November 14, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 200, 300mm, f/5.8, 1/400.

Pentax K50, ISO 800, 300mm, f/5.8, 1/400.

Winter Wren [gärdsmyg]

Almost no leaves left on the trees now; more difficult for the little wren to find a place to hide. Hedegärde, Uddevalla, on November 11, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 3200, 300mm, f/5,8, 1/400.

Fieldfare [björktrast]

This is fieldfare season. Wherever there are berries left on the trees, there are fieldfares with their bright ocher chests. Uddevalla, on November 2, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 400, 300mm, f/7.1, 1/800.

Eurasian Robin [rödhake]

One more that will stay in our woods for the winter, today almost perfectly camouflaged among the autumn leaves. Hedegärde, Uddevalla, on October 29, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 3200, 300mm, f/9, 1/320.

European Blue Tit [blåmes]

In our woods, it's the wrens who are the first to alarm there's a cat on their turf. Then, the brave blue tits fly in to take up a close surveillance. They don't call it off until the cat is safely returned inside our house. Hedegärde, Uddevalla, on October 27, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 3200, 300mm, f/8. 1/320.

Winter Wren [gärdsmyg]

They make such a fuzz when we take our cat for a stroll in the woods, the wrens. And while they keep an close eye on us, they are so difficult to photograph. Hedegärde, Uddevalla, on October 27, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 100, 120mm, f/5.6, 1/1000.

Great Tit [talgoxe]

There are not so many birds left in our woods, but this great tit will stay for the winter. It will be well fed when it gets colder. Pic by A. Hedegärde, Uddevalla, on October 23, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 3200, 300mm, f/5.8, 1/320.

Common Goldeneye [knipa]

A molting goldeneye, turning his more graphic side to the audience. Henån, on October 17, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 400, 300mm, f/7.1, 1/800.

Common Wood Pigeon [ringduva]

In one sense I guess this is a rock dove. Its white neck gives it away, even at distance. Skår, Bokenäset, on October 16, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 200, 300mm, f/11, 1/400.

Common Blackbird [koltrast]

The rowan berries are ripe, and our blackbirds are having a feast! Hedegärde, Uddevalla, on October 13, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 1600, 300mm, f/9, 1/320.

Yellowhammer [gulsparv]

A pair of yellowhammers, enjoying the sun. These ones will probably stay for the winter. Ramsvikslandet nature reserve, on September 26, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 200, 300mm, f/11, 1/500.

Northern Wheatear [stenskvätta]

One of the remaining wheatears, hunting for insects. Its black and white tail makes it easy to recognize. Soon, this one will make its long migration to Africa. Ramsvikslandet nature reserve, on September 26, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 400, 300mm, f/9, 1/320.

Pentax K50, ISO 400, 300mm, f/9, 1/320.

Pentax K50, ISO 400, 300mm, f/7.1, 1/800.

Black-Tailed Godwit [rödspov]

One of all these wading birds just passing by, traveling with some ruffs. Ramsvikslandet nature reserve, on September 20, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 200, 300mm, f/10, 1/320.

Pentax K50, ISO 200, 300mm, f/11, 1/320.

Ruff [brushane]

Ramsvikslandet is a good place to spot migrating waders in the autumn. Like these ruffs, accompanied by a black-tailed godwit. Ramsvikslandet nature reserve, on September 20, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 200, 300, f/10, 1/320.

Pentax K50, ISO 200, 300mm, f/11, 1/500.

Common Guillemot [sillgrissla]

The common guillemot is a rare guest along this part of the Swedish coast. This one must have blown ashore with the hard winds on Friday. Ramsvikslandet nature reserve, on September 20, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 200, 300mm, f/11, 1/320.

Pentax K50, ISO 200, 300mm, f/7.1, 1/800.

Common Buzzard [ormvråk]

Today was a great day for raptors; high sky, quite warm, and a wind from north. This buzzard was one of many (and was later chased away by a magpie). Ramsvikslandet nature reserve, on September 20, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 200, 300mm, f/15, 1/500.

Barnacle Goose [vitkindad gås]

At first glance, the barnacle goose look just like the canada goose. However, the white face gives it away, and the barnacles are much more well behaved. Ramsvikslandet nature reserve, on September 20, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 200, 300mm, f/7.1, 1/800.

Northern Wheatear [stenskvätta]

It's beautiful, isn't it? Ramsvikslandet nature reserve, on September 19, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 100, 300mm, f/8, 1/400. 

Meadow Pipit [ängspiplärka]

I have always found it difficult to get good photos of pipits. Today I was lucky – there were several meadow pipits around, and they willingly stayed on the ground long enough for me to catch them with my camera. On the second one, you can se lots of small flies – there's still plenty of food. On this location, many of the pipits stay all year. Ramsvikslandet nature reserve, on September 15, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 200, 300mm, f/9, 1/320.

Pentax K50, ISO 200, 300mm, f/11, 1/500.

Pied Wagtail [sädesärla]

There are still plenty of wagtails around if you know where to find them. Soon, they will migrate south. Ramsvikslandet nature reserve, on September 19, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 100, 300mm, f/6.3, 1/800.

Common Linnet [hämpling]

On a distance, but a first for me: two linnets. Ramsvikslandet nature reserve, on September 19, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 200, 300mm, f/8, 1/400.

Common Magpie [skata]

One of our resident magpies. This one has a little scar behind the left eye. Hedegärde, Uddevalla, on September 4, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 100, 300mm, f/5.8, 1/400.

White Stork [vit stork]

From the archive: Ok, this is in fact a rare bird. This white stork caused quite a stir as it had navigated totally wrong and ended up i Bohuslän during its fall migration. Åbyfjorden, on September 12, 2009.

Canon PowerShot A620, ISO 50, 29mm, f/4.1, 1/160.

Pied Wagtail [sädesärla]

There are still some wagtails around, late migrators that try to take advantage of the late summer and a bath on a gravel road. Mollön nature reserve, Uddevalla, on September 3, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 200, 300mm, f/11, 1/500.

Hooded Crow [kråka] and Jackdaw [kaja]

This time of year, the different crows seem to enjoy each other's company – or, at least, tolerate each other. Mollön nature reserve, Uddevalla, on September 3, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 400, 230mm, f/8, 1/125.

Common Crane [trana]

The cranes are gathering in larger and larger crowds, preparing for the migration south. Virserum, Småland, on August 27, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 200, 300mm, f/13, 1/500.

Mallard [gräsand]

Some mallards, enjoying the late summer. The pond was once part of a Premonstratensian monastery, established in the 13th century and now only a ruin. The pond, however, was restored in 2013. Dragsmarks klosterdamm, Bokenäset, on August 23, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 400, 300mm, f/p, 1/320.

Northern Birds Southwest of Reykjavík

From the archive: One last post from my trip to Iceland four years ago. One of the last days on Iceland, we went whale watching from Reykjavík. This a not a blog designated for pics of whales. But there were many beautiful birds in the sky. These do come to Sweden now and then, but never where I am. First: a northern gannet. On August 18, 2011.

Nikon D5000, ISO 200, 200mm, f/8, 1/1000.

And second: a northern fulmar.

Nikon D5000, ISO 200, 200mm, f/8, 1/1000.

Arctic Birds in Glacier Waters

From the archive: The glacier ice lake Jökulsárlón, on the south coast of Iceland, harbours not only seals and glacier ice, but also lots of birds. It was a gray day, however, no rain but massive overcast. And some arctic terns, lined up on some glacier ice. On August 16, 2011.

Nikon D5000, ISO 200, 200mm, f/7.1, 1/800.

In the sky: some arctic skuas. This one was the first for me.

Nikon D5000, ISO 200, 200mm, f/7.1, 1/800.