Common Gull [fiskmås]

From the archive: These common gulls always return to the same lake every summer. Herrestadsfjället, Uddevalla, on June 30, 2014.

Canon EOS 550D, ISO 1000, 250mm, f/5.6, 1/2000.

Common Magpie [skata]

From the archive: One of last years young ones. When our cat doesn't defend the railing, the magpies have always found it interesting. Hedegärde, Uddevalla, on June 29, 2014.

Canon EOS 550D, ISO 640, 220mm, f/7.1, 1/400.

Great Tit [talgoxe]

From the archive: Posing on top of the manor house. Sundsby säteri, Tjörn, on June 29, 2014.

Canon EOS 550D, ISO 200, 250mm, f/7.1, 1/400.

Barn Swallow [ladusvala]

From the archive: They might prove impossible to portrait when flying, but sometimes even a barn swallow has to have a break. Sundsby säteri, Tjörn, on June 29, 2014.

Canon EOS 550D, ISO 1000, 250mm, f/6.3, 1/400.

On the Rails, Roofs, and Turfs of Seattle

From the archive: On last years conference trip to Seattle, WA, I also met some pigeons and gulls outside the aquarium (they were waiting for me to throw them some snacks, which I didn't), and the american robin with its beautiful song (this one lodged in the botanical garden).

Canon PowerShot A620, ISO 50, 15mm, f/4, 1/1000.

Canon PowerShot A620, ISO 50, 29mm, f/4.1, 1/1000.

Canon PowerShot A620, ISO 50, 29mm, f/4.1, 1/250.

Black Oystercatcher [svart strandskata]

From the archive: Last spring, I was on a conference trip to Seattle, WA. And at the fantastic aquarium – well worth a visit – was this black oystercatcher. I also saw some flying free, but didn't manage to get them on camera. Seattle, WA, on May 21, 2014.

Canon PowerShot A620, ISO 50, 22mm, f/4, 1/125.

Canon PowerShot A620, ISO 50, 22mm, f/4.1, 1/250.

Common Magpie [skata]

Of course we have lots of magpies around, trying to make sense of life, universe, and everything. This one has finally found its place. Hedegärde, Uddevalla, on June 25, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 800, 300mm, f/10, 1/320.

Hooded Crow [kråka]

This is obviously a perfect spot if you're a crow. Two adolescents, enjoying the evening sun. I enjoy their company; they're fun to watch. Hedegärde, Uddevalla, on June 23, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 800, 300mm, f/8, 1/3200.

Hooded Crow [kråka]

The recently fledged hooded crows are forming gangs, patrolling the neighborhood for food and fun, and fighting for rank. For now, this one is a winner. Hedegärde, Uddevalla, on June 21, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 800, 300mm, f/14, 1/500.

Common Redstart [rödstjärt]

I can't remember I have ever seen so many redstarts as this year. They are truly spectacular! Here is also a pic of a juvenile redstart, recently fledged. Regementsparken, Uddevalla, on June 19, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 800, 230mm, f/5.6, 1/320.

Pentax K50, ISO 800, 230mm, f/5.8, 1/250.

Grey Wagtail [forsärla]

If you follow the river, it's not uncommon to spot the grey wagtail. Regementsparken, Uddevalla, on June 19, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 800, 300mm, f/7.1, 1/320.

Yellowhammer [gulsparv]

I think this is the closest I've ever got to a yellowhammer. It didn't stay for long, though. And of course, there was a straw or something between me and the bird… Älje-Porsen nature reserve, Uddevalla, on June 10, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 800, 230mm, f/8, 1/800.

Common Swift [tornseglare]

The swifts make a very special whooshing sound as they fly by (just like Douglas Adams' deadlines), but they are almost impossible to catch on film (or, in this case, a digital sensor). Come to think of it, I'm not sure the first one is a swift – it looks like a spacecraft from Star Wars, doesn't it? Älje-Porsen nature reserve, Uddevalla, on June 19, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 800, 300mm, f/11, 1/500.

Pentax K50, ISO 800, 300mm, f/11, 1/500.

Pied Flycatcher [svartvit flugsnappare]

A female pied flycatcher, waiting for us to leave so she can feed her young ones with this bright blue damselfly. Älje-Porsen nature reserve, Uddevalla, on June 19, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 800, 300mm, f/5.8, 1/200.

European Greenfinch [grönfink]

Where there are seeds for free, there are greenfinches. Älje-Porsen nature reserve, Uddevalla, on June 19, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 800, 230 mm, f/7.1, 1/640.

Great Tit [talgoxe]

Someone is still feeding the birds at Älje-Porsen nature reserve in Uddevalla. Especially the smaller birds seem to enjoy it. And I really like the "action pic" of the great tit trying to scare the greenfinch off. On June 19, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 800, 230 mm, f/5.6, 1/640.

Pentax K50, ISO 800, 300mm, f/7.1, 1/320.

European Blue Tit [blåmes]

No time to rest… Älje-Porsen nature reserve, Uddevalla, on June 19, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 800, 300mm, f/5.8, 1/500.

Hooded Crow [kråka]

Another one of our neighbors, enjoying the evening sun. Hedegärde, Uddevalla, on June 16, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 800, 300mm, f/16, 1/320.

Great Black-Backed Gull [havstrut]

This great black-backed gull fought a good twenty minutes for his lunch: a garfish. Lanesund, on June 13, 2015.

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

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

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

Pied Wagtail [sädesärla]

One of our neighbors hunts in the gutter. Very successfully, as it seems – there’s lots of green larvae and shining bugs. Hedegärde, Uddevalla, on June 13, 2015.

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

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

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

European Blue Tit [blåmes]

We have new tenants! The family of blue tits has taken up residence behind the ventilation grilles, and the parents are busy all day long bringing delicious, green larvae to the young ones. Hedegärde, Uddevalla, on July 12, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 100, 300mm, f/5.8, 1/800.

Pentax K50, ISO 100, 300mm, f/5.8, 1/800.

Pentax K50, ISO 100, 300mm, f/7.1, 1/800.

European Herring Gull [gråtrut]

I like this picture a lot! There’s a lot of humor in it! The herring gull is one of the most common birds around here, but these three, keeping a close eye on the horizon, are indeed special. Kosterhavet National Park, on June 10, 2015.

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

Common Tern [fisktärna]

On the tour in the Kosterhavet archipelago, I practiced my skills in photographing terns. It’s not easy at all – for every pic I’ve kept, there’s plenty in the bin… The terns are such acrobats in the sky! However, in my opinion, I got some descent shots. And I will keep on practicing. Kosterhavet National Park, on June 10, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 200, 300mm, f9, 1/320.

Pentax K50, ISO 200, 260mm, f/11, 1/400.

Pentax K50, ISO 260, 300mm, f/10, 1/320.

Red-Brested Merganser [småskrake]

Four juvenil red-brested merganser, on a sand shore that soon will transform into a tourists’ paradise. For a couple of more days, it belongs to the birds. The great black-backed gull was probably hoping for dinner, but had to make other plans. You can almost see how disappointed he is! Kosterhavet National Park, on June 10, 2015.

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

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

Great Cormorant [storskarv]

Most people can’t see the difference between a great cormorant and the shag. The size and the shape of the neck is a giveaway (and I do hope I’ve identified this one correctly). Kosterhavet National Park, on June 10, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 400, 300mm, f/10, 1/320.

European Shag [toppskarv]

The shag is not popular around here. Kosterhavet National Park, on June 10, 2015.

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

Eurasian Oystercatcher [strandskata]

This year’s staff days for the department went on a field trip to westernmost archipelago in Bohuslän. Lots of oystercatchers around! This one, I found at Ursholmen. Kosterhavet National Park, on June 10, 2015.

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

Pentax K50, ISO 400, 300mm, f/14, 1/500.

Pentax K50, ISO 400, 300mm, f/14, 1/500.

Winter Wren [gärdsmyg]

The wren is one of my favorites among the small birds. Pic by A. Havskuren mosse, Uddevalla, on June 9, 2015.

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

Great Spotted Woodpecker [större hackspett]

He’s nesting in this tree, didn’t manage to see the young ones, though. Pic by A. Havskuren mosse, Uddevalla, on June 9, 2015.

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

Eurasian Jay [nötskrika]

For some reason, I don’t come upon jays that often. Pic by A. Havskuren mosse, Uddevalla, on June 9, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 800, 260mm, f/9, 1/320.

Common Gull [fiskmås]

The common gull is often seen as annoying, noisy and gluttonous, begging for food wherever there are tourists. No tourists here, hence the idyllic scene. Lanesund, on June 5, 2015.

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

Western Marsh Harrier [brun kärrhök]

They always come when you least expect them, don’t they. This time it was a western marsh harrier, patrolling the water. I have to go back soon, to get a better shot. Lanesund, on June 5, 2015.

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

Great Black-Backed Gull [havstrut]

The great black-backed gull is our largest gull. Compare it to the common shelduck standing closer to me! It’s wingspan is comparable with my hight (170 cm), but it’s weight is only about half of a normal house cat. Lanesund, on June 5, 2015.

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