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.

On the Calm Waters North of Húsavik

From the archive: Four years ago, I visited Iceland. We were so lucky – almost no rain, decent temperatures and even some sun! And, among volcanos, horses, and whales, some birds. On a whale watching tour departing from Húsavik, on the northern coast, I met my first puffins. Most of them at long distance, though, but who cares – I saw lots of puffins! (And humpbacks!) On August 12, 2011.

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

In the harbor of Húsavik, this female eider kept her eye on everything. Of course, eiders are not as exotic as puffins, but the sea was incredibly calm and the reflections in the water pretty amazing.

Nikon D5000, ISO 280, 200mm, f/5.6, 1/500.

Northern Wheatear [stenskvätta]

From the archive: For some reason, I don't come upon wheatears that often. This one is an exception. Gåsevik, Skaftö, on August 6, 2008.

Canon PowerShot A620, ISO 100, 29mm, f/4.1, 1/200.

Eurasian Oystercatcher [strandskata]

From the archive: The oystercatchers living by the seaside keep to themselves, and it is impossible to come close. The oystercatchers breeding in the inland is another matter; this one takes a walk in a public park. Ursand, Vänersborg, on August 1, 2006.

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

Barn Swallow [ladusvala]

Dinner on it's way! Röe gård, Brodalen, on July 31, 2015.

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

Pied Wagtail [sädesärla]

Röe gård, Brodalen, on July 31, 2015.

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

Common Buzzard [ormvråk]

An unusually (for me) close range sight of a buzzard. Dättern nature reserve, Vänersborg, on July 27, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 800, 300mm, f/16, 1/1000.

Pentax K50, ISO 800, 300mm, f/14, 1/6400.

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

Western Marsh Harrier [brun kärrhök]

Another marsh harrier – there are plenty around. Dättern nature reserve, Vänersborg, on July 27, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 800, 300mm, f/16, 1/640.

Northern Lapwing [tofsvipa]

Today we visited the tower on the west side of the shallow Dättern (last week we visited the tower on the east side). Now there where hundreds of lapwings; these took to the air after a raptor (a marsh harrier?) showed too much of an interest. Dättern nature reserve, Vänersborg, on July 27, 2015.

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