Nikon Z 9, 800mm S PF, 1/640, f/7.1, ISO 320.

Tags:   800mm S PF bird grebe jt893x NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S Nikon Nikon Z 9 pied-billed grebe podilymbus podiceps Z 9

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in the green season

I take pictures because I like it, not because I am good at it.


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The world is like a book and those, who do not travel, only read the first page.

If you only visit 2 continents in your lifetime, visit Africa, twice.

All rights reserved. © Thomas Retterath 2025

Tags:   Thomas Retterath @thomas63retterath Dolly Okavango Delta Botswana Africa PomPom Safari Green Season Backlight Gegenlicht sunrise Beauty in nature Nature Natur Sonnenaufgang Meadow Landscape Landschaft Feld

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Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide 2nd Edition with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com

The Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) is a long-legged predatory wading bird of the heron family, Ardeidae, native throughout temperate Europe and Asia and also parts of Africa. It is resident in much of its range, but some populations from the more northern parts migrate southwards in autumn. A bird of wetland areas, it can be seen around lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes and on the sea coast. It feeds mostly on aquatic creatures which it catches after standing stationary beside or in the water or stalking its prey through the shallows.

Standing up to a metre tall, adults weigh from 1 to 2 kg (2.2 to 4.4 lb). They have a white head and neck with a broad black stripe that extends from the eye to the black crest. The body and wings are grey above and the underparts are greyish-white, with some black on the flanks. The long, sharply pointed beak is pinkish-yellow and the legs are brown.

The birds breed colonially in spring in "heronries", usually building their nests high in trees. A clutch of usually three to five bluish-green eggs is laid. Both birds incubate the eggs for a period of about 25 days, and then both feed the chicks, which fledge when seven or eight weeks old. Many juveniles do not survive their first winter, but if they do, they can expect to live for about five years.

The main call is a loud croaking "fraaank", but a variety of guttural and raucous noises are heard at the breeding colony. Grey herons have the ability to live in cities where habitats and nesting space are available. In the Netherlands, the grey heron has established itself over the past decades in great numbers in urban environments. In cities such as Amsterdam, they are ever present and well adapted to modern city life. They hunt as usual, but also visit street markets and snackbars. Some individuals make use of people feeding them at their homes or share the catch of recreational fishermen. Similar behaviour on a smaller scale has been reported in Ireland (Dublin, Galway and Cork). (wikipedia)

An adult Grey Heron standing regal on the weir in the Botanic Gardens Glasnevin, Dublin along the Tolka River.

Tags:   Bird Herons Heron Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Corr réisc Europe Ireland Dublin Drumcondra Tolka River Glasnevin National Botanic Gardens Mark Camera Sony 200-600 G OSS FE 5.6-6.3 ILCE-9M2 A9II SEL200600G 200-600mm Mark Carmody Carmo CarmoPolice CarmoPolis Carmody markcarmodyphotography markcarmodyphotography.com Topic Birds Irish Birds Common Landscape River River System books Birds of Ireland Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide Freshwater Birds of Ireland Shorebirds of Ireland Urban Park A9_03267

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Looking west from the slopes of Knocknabro towards Paps East and the Clydagh Valley.

Tags:   Paps East Knocknabro Clydagh

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Anyone who has followed me here on Flickr knows that I am an absolute sucker for a good Roller or Bee-Eater. I've tested Hans' patience again and again trying to catch one of those flying jewels in flight up to the extent that he started secretely waving his arms to shoo the birds off so we could finally drive on... (the reflection in the display on the back of my camera gave him away.....).

In Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe birds were plentiful. Bee-eaters and Rollers galore! Perfect opportunity to put the 'Pre-continuous shooting' feature of the R1 to the test. And what a marvellous feature it is! I absolutely loved it! And so did Hans because finally we could move on fairly quickly!

Canon R1
Canon EF 600mm f4 IS II USM
ISO 1250, f4, 1/2000s, exp. comp +0.67

Tags:   wild animal bird nature wildlife Zimbabwe Davison's Camp Wilderness safari game drive flight red Africa Merops nubicoides Carmine Bee-eater Guêpier écarlate Scharlakenbijeneter: Scharlachspint hvhe Hennie van Heerden Hwange National Park

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