Just staying alert 2011-04-16 Travelling along very 'back roads' in eastern Austria, the pheasants ruled the road (perhaps looking for more warmth). As I drove slowly by, they would move slowly just off into the tall grass. This one, in his best plumage, kept an eye on me to see if I was following. Many thanks for the comments on the marsh harrier shot yesterday. I'm glad a few shots came out of the excursion. [and no, he didn't catch anything on the sweep in the picture - he then moved off to a more distant field to continue the hunt]
Looking for breakfast 2011-04-15 I was away for a few days trying to take bird pictures in eastern Austria during the mating season. The weather did not cooperate - very very windy and mostly cloudy, then rain. Most of the birds stayed curled up and hiding. This Marsh Harrier hawk was flying low over the protected fields of the Hanság area near the Hungarian border.
Fuzzy Goslings 2011-04-09 Not a great shot, but the proud parents were keeping these little ones away from trouble and peering eyes (and telephotos). They are at most a week old, enjoying the warm spring at Lake Neusiedl, south of Vienna. Many thanks for the wonderful comments on my flamingo shot. I had several shots, but I posted this one, mainly because of the drip!