Speechless in Vardø, Norway

Vardø is situated at the northeast point of the Varanger peninsula. Here, the sparsely populated land extends out from the continent towards the icy waters of the Barents Sea. Standing besides the master of the ‘birds-in-flight’ shots (Arie) I tried to photograph Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla/Drieteenmeeuw) that were passing by. The temperature was –5ºC, but because of the wind chill it felt below –20ºC. This is my best result, after 1½ hour of hard work. Note that the reflecting snow on the ground lights up the underparts. We were both speechless … not only because of the spectacular scenery, but also simply because we could not move our jaws. On our way back to Vestre-Jacobselv we ended up in a blizzard. Thank God, that we had a rental car with spike tires and a seat heating system.

From taiga to tundra

Today was a transfer day, a long drive (400km) along the Arctic highway (E75) all the way up to the Vestre-Jacobselv in the center of the Varanger fjord.
I enjoyed the views very much, an endless white taiga landscape, with numerous frozen lakes and rivers that just start to melt, gradually changes for the open tundra. On the picture you see frozen melting water, near Utsjoki, close to the Norwegian border.

Feeding station Kaamanen, Finland

In the second half of April, I went together with Arie Ouwerkerk on an early spring birdwatching and photography trip to the most northern tip of Europe. A big adventure, I entered a completely unknown, empty and white world well above the Arctic Circle. Weather conditions were still wintery, although the daylight lasted already for 20 hours. Our tour started at Ivalo in Finnish Lapland, amidst wonderful taiga forests with lakes that were still frozen and covered with a 1m thick layer of snow.
The first day we visit a feeding station in Kaamanen, an experience that I would never forget. The ‘stars’ were definitely Siberian Tit (Parus Cinctus/Bruinkopmees) and Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator/Haakbek). Other ‘lifers’ of today were Siberian Jay (Perisoreus infaustus/Taiga Gaai) and Arctic Redpoll (Carduelis hornemanni/Witstuitbarmsijs).

Dutch Limosa

Almost 75% of the Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa/Grutto) population, at least the nominate race, breed in The Netherlands. Unfortunately, numbers of this elegant species are declining rapidly for several reasons. Intensive and large-scale farming is the most important one I guess. When they return, the birds are very much bound to water (after all, they are waders!), later in the season you can see them more and more on wet meadows, preferable those below sea level. I took these photos on a cold afternoon from a hide, together with Astrid Kant. There were many snow showers interspersed with a few sunny periods. Top: ♀. Bottom: ♂.

Blue frog

Ever seen a blue frog? The first time I saw them I could not believe my eyes. In early spring Moor Frog (Rana arvalis/Heikikker) males gather in ‘plopping’ mating choires in shallow water (which is slightly warmer) and turn bluish by a hormonal process. This lasts only for a couple of days. Weird!
The photo below shows the miniature world of frogspawn. The pale colour of the water is caused by the reflection of dry grass which is illuminated by warm sunlight.

Luck for three

I went 3 times to the Uitkerkse Polders in West Flanders, Belgium (250km one way). A group of at least 6 Short-eared Owls (Asio flammeus/Velduilen) wintered here. In the late afternoon, around 15h30 PM, they go on wings to hunt mice, to display, and to fight one another. It was a magnificent show, the way they glide and circle with great manoeuvring skill. I'm very glad with these photos. All in all it was worth every penny of the 1500km I drove, even at the high gasoline prices of today.

Mother-in-law things

Saturday morning, Carnival 2008 has just started. I do not particularly like this 4-day party event from catholic origin with its float parades. People in the south of The Netherlands wear funny cloths, and drink too much. Moreover my mother-in-law celebrates her 74-th birthday today and we were invited at 11h AM for the usual coffee, cake and lunch program.
7h30 AM, I opened the curtains of our bedroom. The ground was covered with a thin white layer, the first snow this winter. I quickly jumped out of bed (I’m always a bit excited when I see fresh snow), had a minor argument with my wife (that I really wanted to go out now), and finally promised to be back at 10h30 AM sharp.
I drove to the National Park “Groote Peel” were I could make this picture of a wintering group of Bean Geese (Anser fabalis/Rietgans), i.m.h.o. one of best pictures I ever took.

Of course you still might have one question: “Did I made it to be back on time?” Let's leave this diary episode open-ended ...