🇳🇱 Goedenacht, slaap zacht.
🇳🇱 Goedenacht, slaap zacht. #Lepelaar #ErgensInEenWeiland
🇩🇪 Gute Nacht und schöne Träume. #Löffler
🇬🇧 Good night, sleep tight. #Spoonbil
🇨🇿 Dobrou noc a hezké sny. #KolpíkBílý
#PlataleaLeucorodia

#Löffler an der #aggertange

#thy
#danmark #nationalparkthy

#EurasianSpoonbill #PlataleaLeucorodia #Wasservögel #Waterbirds #BirdPhotography #Birdwatching #WildlifePhotography #NaturePhotography #Koloniebrüter #VögelEuropa #Ornithologie #Feuchtgebiete #Wetlands #BirdLovers #FeatheredFriends #Birdstagram #NatureLovers #AvianBeauty #CoastalBirds

Part Four – Birds of the Kampina

Arriving in the Kampina before sunrise, the blue hour bathed the landscape in soft tones. My first encounter was with the Wood Lark (Lullula arborea, boomleeuwerik), its melodic song carrying across the quiet heath. A short while later, the cheerful Eurasian Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus, pimpelmees) appeared, flitting among the branches with bursts of energy.

A new sighting for me came in the form of the White Wagtail (Motacilla alba, witte kwikstaart), its sleek black, white, and grey plumage standing out against the morning grass as it bobbed its tail in that characteristic rhythm.

Then, in the golden morning light, a magnificent Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia, lepelaar*) soared overhead—its long neck and spoon-shaped bill unmistakable as it glided silently across the sky.

The Eurasian Blue Tit returned in later moments, sometimes pausing to watch me, sometimes diving from the tree canopy with wings spread wide, briefly illuminated by the rising sun—a small flash of living color against the still-waking world.

These mornings remind me why I rise so early. Each species, familiar or new, carries its own story, and together they form the living heartbeat of the Kampina. From the whisper of wings to the bright calls through the mist, it’s a place that rewards patience, presence, and curiosity.

Canon 7D Mark II + Sigma 100–400mm | 5:00–10:00, early morning

#BirdPhotography #WildlifePhotography #NaturePhotography #BirdWatching #Kampina #WoodLark #Boomleeuwerik #LullulaArborea #BlueTit #EurasianBlueTit #Pimpelmees #CyanistesCaeruleus #WhiteWagtail #WitteKwikstaart #MotacillaAlba #EurasianSpoonbill #Lepelaar #PlataleaLeucorodia #BirdsInFlight #MorningLight #GoldenHour #NatureLovers #BirdNerd #BirdsOfEurope #Ornithology #FieldNotes #NatureWalks #MistyMorning #CanonWildlife #Sigma100400 #EarlyBird #BirdWatchingDaily #FeatheredFriends #AvianBeauty #BirdPerfection #BirdBrilliance #NatureInspiration #PhotographyLife

Wings Over Kampina: A Trio of Avian Encounters

Exploring the Kampina nature reserve near Oisterwijk, I was privileged to photograph three remarkable bird species, each showcasing the rich biodiversity of Noord-Brabant.

Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)

The first two images capture the Common Buzzard in mid-flight. This raptor, widespread across Europe, is known for its broad wings and rounded tail. Often seen soaring or perched prominently, buzzards are versatile hunters, feeding on small mammals, birds, and carrion. Their distinctive "pee-yow" call is a familiar sound in the countryside.

European Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola)

The third image features the European Stonechat, a small passerine bird with striking sexual dimorphism. Males display a black head, white neck patch, and orange-red breast, while females are more subdued in coloration. Stonechats inhabit open scrublands and grasslands, often perching conspicuously as they hunt insects.

Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia)

The final image showcases the Eurasian Spoonbill gliding against a clear blue sky, with a solitary white cloud as its backdrop. This elegant wader is distinguished by its long, spoon-shaped bill, which it uses to forage in shallow waters. Spoonbills are social birds, often found in groups, and their presence indicates healthy wetland ecosystems.

#CommonBuzzard #ButeoButeo #EuropeanStonechat #SaxicolaRubicola #EurasianSpoonbill #PlataleaLeucorodia #BirdPhotography #Canon7DMarkII #Sigma100400mm #Kampina #Oisterwijk #NoordBrabant #NetherlandsNature #BirdWatching #RaptorPhotography #PasserineBirds #WadingBirds #AvianEncounters #WildlifePhotography #NatureLovers #BirdsOfEurope #FlightPhotography #BirdInFlight #BirdPerch #WetlandBirds #BirdsOfTheNetherlands #BirdingAdventures #Ornithology #BirdsOfPrey #Songbirds #Waterbirds #BirdConservation #FeatheredFriends #BirdsInNature #BirdsOfInstagram #BirdBrilliance #NaturePhotography #BirdsOfTheWorld #BirdLovers #BirdingDaily #BirdsOfKampina

A Rare Encounter: Eurasian Spoonbill Over Kampina

While exploring the Kampina nature reserve near Oisterwijk, I was fortunate to witness a Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) soaring overhead. This elegant wader, distinguished by its white plumage and unique spoon-shaped bill, is a rare sight in this area, as they typically inhabit the swampy regions deep within the reserve. Capturing this moment with my Canon 7D Mark II and Sigma 100–400mm telephoto lens, the sunlight illuminated its outstretched wings against the clear blue sky, highlighting the intricate feather patterns.

Eurasian Spoonbills are native to Europe, Africa, and Asia, with the Dutch population primarily breeding on the Wadden Sea barrier islands. They prefer shallow wetlands with abundant aquatic life, feeding on fish, amphibians, and invertebrates. Their presence in inland areas like Kampina is less common, making this encounter particularly special.

Observing this majestic bird in flight underscores the rich biodiversity of Noord-Brabant's wetlands and the importance of preserving these habitats for future generations.

#EurasianSpoonbill #PlataleaLeucorodia #Lepelaar #BirdPhotography #Canon7DMarkII #Sigma100400mm #Kampina #Oisterwijk #NoordBrabant #NetherlandsNature #BirdWatching #WetlandBirds #AvianBeauty #NatureLovers #WildlifePhotography

For todays #ThrowbackThursday I have this derpy spoonbill chick.

#PlataleaLeucorodia #EurasianSpoonbill #CommonSpoonbill

Un becplaner (Platalea leucorodia) en vol: podem saber que es tracta d'un exemplar juvenil pel color negre de la punta de les ales, entre d'altres característiques.
#platalealeucorodia #ocells #ocellsdecatalunya #birdsoftheworld

🦉Platalea leucorodia
🇪🇸 Espátula común
🇬🇧 Eurasian spoonbill

📍 Laguna de El Sapo, Sevilla (España / Spain)
🗓️ 2024-12-10

📷 Sony A7 IV + Sony 200-600mm + Sony Teleconverter 1.4x

#Platalealeucorodia #Espátulacomún #Eurasianspoonbill #aves #birds #birdsofpixelfed #birdphotography #fotografiadeaves #fauna #wildlife #naturephotography #fotografiadefauna #wildlifephotography #naturaleza #biodiversity #SonyA7IV #Sony200600

A bird with a mission.

#bird #birds #flyingbird #birdwatching #Platalea #PlataleaLeucorodia