White-Tailed Eagle [havsörn]

Long distance, and difficult light, but the big lonely bird sitting on a small rock in the water (in the center of the photo) is actually a white-tailed eagle. We waited for it to come closer, but apparently that was a very good rock to spend the day on. Many other birds around, but only the crows seemed to worry.  Naturum Hornborgasjön, Broddetorp, on October 8, 2016.

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

Whooper Swan [sångsvan]

One of the other middle aged couples we met today didn't know what to make of this elegant bird. They had probably never met a walking whooper swan before. Naturum Hornborgasjön, Broddetorp, on October 8, 2016.

Pentax K50, ISO 800, 300mm, f/9, 1/320.

Common Chaffinch [bofink]

You almost never see any chaffinches in the summer. Now, they are everywhere, especially where there are rowans. Naturum Hornborgasjön, Broddetorp, on October 8, 2016.

Pentax K50, ISO 800, 300mm, f/9, 1/320.

Common Raven [korp]

One of two, the other one got away with most of the prey. Grästorp, on October 8, 2016.

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

Mallard [gräsand]

Came upon these mallards in eclipse today. Or, rather, they came upon us, as we had a coffee break by the river they patrol for biscuits and bread, the young ones (there were at least three of them) still prefer the reed. Nordre älv, Kungälv, on September 24, 2016.

Pentax K50, ISO 100, 170mm, f/4.5, 1/120.

Pentax K50, ISO 100, 150mm, f/6.3, 1/500.

Pentax K50, ISO 100, 150mm, f/6.3, 1/500.

Pentax K50, ISO 400, 55mm, f/5.6, 1/100.

Great Tit [talgoxe]

Ok, there's more appropriate food for a great tit than apple pie with custard, but he seemed to enjoy both the pie and our company. Uddevalla, on September 9, 2016.

iPhone SE, ISO 25, 4.2mm, f/2.2, 1/1131.

Eurasian Nuthatch [nötväcka]

From the archive: Last years first nuthatch to check on the rowan berries. He had to come back later, though. Hedegärde, Uddevalla, on August 4, 2014.

Canon EOS 550D, ISO 3200, 250mm, f/5.6, 1/1600.

Great Tit [talgoxe]

From the archive: I just love his attitude! Hedegärde, Uddevalla, on August 3, 2014.

Canon EOS 550D, ISO 3200, 250mm, f/5.6, 1/800.

Hooded Crow [kråka]

From the archive: The gang of four. What can I say, I like 'em! Hedegärde, Uddevalla, on July 28, 2014.

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

European Blue Tit [blåmes]

From the archive: From one of the years that the cherry tree wasn't ruined and bare lots of fruit. Hedegärde, Uddevalla, on July 24, 2014.

Canon EOS 550D, ISO 640, 250mm, f/6.3, 1/320.

House Sparrow [gråsparv]

From the archive: Two house sparrows, having a bath in a public water feature. Sandefjord, Norway, on July 23, 2010.

Canon PowerShot A620, ISO 50, 29mm, f/4.1, 1/200.

Common Buzzard [ormvråk]

Sometimes you're lucky: bird on the ground, not moving, camera at hand, no car behind you so you can make a stop … One shot, then he made it for the woods. Älje-Porsen nature reserve, Uddevalla, on June 24, 2016.

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

European Herring Gull [gråtrut]

Begging for food. Mollön nature reserve, Uddevalla, on June 24, 2016.

Pentax K50, ISO 100, 210mm, f/5.6, 1/640. 

Pied Wagtail [sädesärla]

From the archive: Another wagtail, straight from the bath. Lilla Askerön, on June 21, 2008.

Canon PowerShot A620, ISO 50, 29mm, f/4.1, 1/500.

Birding in the Middle of London

From the archive: When I visited London in 2013, I had not read the fantastic blog on the birds in Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park (this is now one of my favorite bird blogs). Therefore, I was rather surprised by the number of birds in the middle of London. The grey herons chase fish everywhere, like here, in the Italian Gardens. On June 15, 2013.

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

A greater scaup.

Canon PowerShot A620, ISO 50, 22mm, f/4, 1/400.

A coot's nest.

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

Side by side, what I think is a common pochard and a great cormorant.

Canon PowerShot A620, ISO 50, 29mm, f/4.1, 1/125.

A mute swan and its cygnets.

Canon PowerShot A620, ISO 50, 29mm, f/4.1, 1/405.

Not Only Flowers on Display at Kew Gardens

From the archive: When I visited London a couple of years ago, Kew Gardens was on top of my list. Not surprisingly, birds were all around. However, on this visit, I wasn't focusing the birds. A moorhen, looking for something to eat in the weeds. On June 15, 2013.

Canon PowerShot A620, ISO 50, 29mm, f/4.1, 1/315.

A coot, bringing straws to its nest in the pond wall.

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

A blond mallard, in the pond next to the fantastic victorian orangeries.

Canon PowerShot A620, ISO 50, 29mm, f/4.1, 1/125.

Of course, no garden of this size is complete without some peacocks. This one was resting in one of the beds close to the main entrance.

Canon PowerShot A620, ISO 50, 29mm, f/3.5, 1/60.

Western Jackdaw [kaja]

The jackdaws in our small coastal villages are always hungry, always curious and not a bit scared of humans. Grebbestad, on June 13, 2016.

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

European Green Woodpecker [gröngöling]

From the archive: One of the green woodpecker that lives in the woods nearby, on one of its regular visits to our rowan. Hedegärde, Uddevalla, on June 13, 2012.

Samsung WB600, ISO 80, 58mm, f/5.8, 1/250.

Common Sandpiper [drillsnäppa]

Today, I got close enough to a common sandpiper to get some nice pics. Älje-Porsen nature reserve, Uddevalla, on June 6, 2016.

Pentax K50, ISO 3200, 300mm, f/5.8, 1/800.

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

Tree Pipit [trädpiplärka]

The tree pipits are funny to watch as take to the air, quite high, and looks just like a paper plane when they descend and go in for landing. Älje-Porsen nature reserve, Uddevalla, on June 6, 2016.

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

Pied Wagtail [sädesärla]

There's plenty of food around for the pied wagtails and their young ones. These are our neighbors. Hedegärde, Uddevalla, on June 6, 2016.

Pentax K50, ISO 100, 260mm, f/5.8, 1/320.

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

Canada Goose [kanadagås]

I know, they're a real pest (and these ones had pooped all over the place where we intended to have our coffee), but you must agree this gosling, carefully protected by its parents, is adorable! Herrestadsfjället nature reserve, Uddevalla, on June 1, 2016.

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

Meadow Pipit [ängspiplärka]

I love the pipits for their singing. And for the show they put on this time of year. Mollön nature reserve, Uddevalla, on June 1, 2016.

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

European Herring Gull [gråtrut]

He's spotted a small child with a biscuit in her hand. Where there's children and biscuits, there will be crumbles. Krossekärr, Grebbestad, on May 28, 2016.

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

Black-Throated Loon [storlom]

From the archive: One of the most beautiful birds, but also one of the most difficult to get close to. The black-throated loon always swims on the other side of the lake. Herrestadsfjället, Uddevalla, on May 26, 2012.

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

Mute Swan [knölsvan]

From the archive: A mute swans patrolling its waters. Henån, on May 10, 2008.

Canon PowerShot A620, ISO 196, 29mm, f/4.1, 1/60.

Common Sandpiper [drillsnäppa]

A sandpiper posing patiently (but keeping its distance …). They're nesting in the reeds close by. Älje Porsen nature reserve, Uddevalla, on May 8, 2016.

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

Pied Flycatcher [svartvit flugsnappare]

They love to sit on the uppermost branches, the flycatchers, keeping an eye on any potential snack passing by. Skalbankarna nature reserve, Uddevalla, on May 8, 2016.

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

Eurasian Nuthatch [nötväcka]

They're busy now, the nuthatches. This one has found a perfect place to raise a family.  Älje Porsen nature reserve, Uddevalla, on May 8, 2016.

Pentax K50, ISO 800, 300mm, f/9, 1/320.

Meadow Pipit [ängspiplärka]

I still have problems telling a meadow from a rock pipit. As far as I can tell, this is a meadow one.   Ramsvikslandet, on May 6, 2016.

Pentax K50, ISO 100, 300mm, f/6.3, 1/500.

European Blue Tit [blåmes]

Soon, the trees will be green and the tits harder to find. Hedegärde, Uddevalla, on April 24, 2016.

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

Common Chaffinch [bofink]

From the archive: En face. Sundskogen, Uddevalla, on April 21, 2012.

Canon PowerShot A620, ISO 90, 29mm, f/4.1, 1/60.

European Greenfinch [grönfink]

From the archive: Our pair of greenfinches, posing patiently. Hedegärde, Uddevalla, on April 19, 2011.

Nikon D5000, ISO 720, 200mm, f/11, 1/250.

Nikon D5000, ISO 80, 200mm, f/5.6, 1/200.

Rock Pipit [skärpiplärka]

From the archive: One of the many pipits. It is its dark red-and-brown legs that givs it away, rather than the small rock it sits on. Gåsevik, Skaftö, on April 19, 2015.

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

Common Eider [ejder]

From the archive: One female eider, courted by two males. The eiders are in decline, and so far research doesn't know why. Vägeröds dalar, Skaftö, on April 17, 2011.

Nikon D5000, ISO 200, 200mm, f/6.3, 1/640.

Nikon D5000, ISO 200, 200mm, f/6.3, 1/640.

Winter Wren [gärdsmyg]

Every time our cat follows us for a walk in the woods, the little wren is the the first to raise the alarm. Hedegärde, Uddevalla, on April 11, 2016.

Pentax K50, ISO 100, 300mm, f/5.8, 1/160.