Alphabetical list

If, observing the fields and seeing „squadrons” of passerine birds, you can’t notice any bright „goldfinch-like” accents, it is very likely that you see European greenfinches. I observed them on a field with ripe rapeseed. From a greater distance they can be easily mistaken for sparrows as in size both species are nearly identical, at close range however you can see their olive charm. Greenfinches weigh about 30 g, with a wingspan of less than 30 centimeters.

It inhabits the areas south of Poland in the central and eastern Europe. Its natural habitat actually stretches to Istanbul. I managed to photograph this tiny mammal on a small hill, several dozen kilometres away from Istanbul. Of course, when I encroached upon their area, they fled in the instance. After remaining still for a quarter of an hour, they came again. The squirrels saw me, but they did not hide and were observing me, resuming eating. At the moment of danger, they disappear immediately  into their earth holes, which are in plenty in that place.

European hare isn’t very sophisticated when it comes to defense strategies. When it sees a danger it comes to a standstill, hoping to go unnoticed. But when it realizes that the distance between him and the predator is too small, it escapes rapidly. And here two stories come to my mind. One time I was trying to find a good place for photographing the common cranes and when I approached them closely, they suddenly shied, astounding me at the same time. Indeed, here on the edge of the field, their camouflage and strategy were understandable.

It is likely the most numerous species among large gulls in Poland. Its weight can come up to 1.5 kilograms with a wingspan reaching 1.5 meters. As Black-headed Gull, because of her habits and larger size, it is a very grateful object to photograph. On one hand it allows to approach it relatively close, therefore we do not need long telephoto lenses, also, of course, because of her size. Moreover, it appears at an open spaces, so generally we will have enough light to take a quaint photo with a short shutter.
Last minute news – 08/2015

Presented pictures of an European Honey Buzzard have a documentary value. They were taken on my way back from photographing the badger juveniles, when I saw a flying bird while driving a car. Story is almost the same like with pictures of an osprey. However, the bird’s picture was clear enough so I decided to start a gallery. Who knows, I might be lucky enough and I will manage to photograph it on the right background, when he is attacked by insects defending themselves from being eaten. Pictures with an offsetting blue sky is probably the worst possible option.

I could not expect to photograph this bird in Turkey. On the first day when I arrived, and after only two hours of sleep I had to get up at night to go to the lookouts. Along the road, actually on the road we passed three nightjars. We had a small delay and there was no time to stop to take my first photos of the nightjar. Yes, there on this sandy-stony road we passed nightjars that did not really evade. The driver drove very carefully as he did not want to knock down the birds. I decided to get up half an hour earlier the next day and try to take pictures.