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

One of my first digital photographs of a red-tail hawk. I took this shot in 2013 with a then, brand new Nikon D7000 using a Nikkor 70-300mm.

This shot was taken at the Rockefeller State Park Preserve in Pocantico Hills, NY.

#NaturescapesPhotography
#WildlifePhotography
#RaptorPhotography
#Nikon
#NikonD7000

Recent photo from my local FB Lake Superior Birding Photography Group for you to enjoy 😎

Northern Harrier

#birding
#raptor
#raptorphotography
#birdingphotography
#birdphotography

Just to take my mind off of politics for a bit, and as I've run out of #ThickTrunkTuesday trees... (Well, not run out but not in the mood to scour hundreds of folders as I have no decent indexing system.)

Have a Barn Owl called, Barn Owl I suppose, from Scotland. He/She was perched on a pretty thick fence post, which used to be a tree. 😉

Fly baby, fly. 🙂

#BarnOwl #Owls #RaptorPhotography #BirdPhotography #TakeFlight #Highlands #Perthshire #Scotland #Wildlife #Photography #BirdsOfMastodon

Swainson's Hawk

Less hefty than other types of hawks. Longer winged and slimmer with wings typically held in a shallow V when soaring.

#BirdPhotography #BirdWatching #RaptorPhotography #WildlifePhotography #Alberta #Canada