Mergus serrator

No: Siland, En: Red-breasted Merganser, It: Smergo minore

Dear All, 

I went to Herdla island outside Bergen in the end of October. All vaders were gone, but there were many different ducks and geese. However, for aestetic reasons the main photo of the month is the Merganser in breeding plumage from Loch Morar in April. Compare with the eclipse plumage of October at Herdla (last photo).

Best,

Hans

Breeding plumage, Loch Morar Scotland, April 2014

Mrs. and Mr. Merganser

Eclipse plumage Herdla, Norway, October 2014

Corvus monedula

No: Kaie, En: Jackdaw, It: Taccola

Dear All,

Let me remind you about the dogmas of this blog:

• One post every month.
• A new bird species every post.
• All photos taken by me.
• I can add photos to old blog entries, if I get some interesting new photo of a previously posted species.
• Last entry will be posted in March, year 2072. In total it will be about 720 species.

So, you will of course see some very common birds in the blog, as this month.

Best,

Hans

Having a bath, Tveitevannet, Bergen 29/9/2014

Calidris Alpina

Sci:  Calidris Alpina,  No: Myrsnipe,  Eng: Dunlin, It: Piovanello pancianera

Dear All,

We went to the beach of Selje, Norway on August 10 to celebrate the wedding of Hildegunn and Rune. This Dunlin is dedicated to you!

The pictures below are from Loch Morar, Scotland, easter 2014. The belly is darker (pancianera=black belly) in the breeding season.

Till next month, enjoy the autumn,

Hans

Selje, Norway August 10, 2014. Manual focus Olympus OM 300mm lens, price was only £100 on ebay! Camera: Sony NEX 5N with EVF.

Loch Morar, Scotland, April 10, 2014. Manual focus Canon FD L 500mm f4.5, price £650. Camera: Sony NEX 5N with EVF.

Fringilla teydea

Sci: Fringilla teydea, No: Blåfink, Eng: Blue chaffinch, It: Fringuello azzurro

Dear All,

The first bird from Tenerife is the Blue chaffinch (Blåfink). As the name indicates (fringilla is name of a family of finches including chaffinch, teydea = Teide volcano Tenerife), this is a particular bird endemic to Tenerife and Gran Canaria. I met these just below Teide. 

It was charming to see the male feed the female. I dedicate these birds to Antonella, on the occasion of our 17. anniversary, July 31. 

Best,

Hans

Pictures from Mt. Teide, July 31, 2014.