Growth

Photo 4: Although some offspring is airborne (previous upload), others are still bound to the nest platform, unable to fly. Compare this upload with photo 1 (see June 10-th, 2011) and notice how both the juveniles as well as the Water Mint (Mentha aquatica/Watermunt) have grown in 2 weeks.
Photo 5: There was even 1 bird that was still breeding, probably a second attempt. The vegetation is Water Dropwort (Oenanthe aquatica/Watertorkruid).

* Canon EOS 7D with 500mm/f4 IS and 1.4x; ISO-400, f5.6, 1/250s; from tripod.
* Canon EOS 7D with 500mm/f4 IS and 1.4x; ISO-400, f5.6, 1/250s; from tripod.

Airborne

Photo 2: Adult Black Tern (Chlidonias niger/Zwarte Stern) hovering above the platform, encouraging her (or his) youngsters to do their wing exercises.
Photo 3: “Hey watch me, I can fly!” First flying exercises of a juvenile Black Tern (Chlidonias niger/Zwarte Stern). It was a privilege to witness this magical event in the last Summer Solstice (longest day of the year) sunlight. Stay tuned, there is more to come!

* Canon EOS 7D with 500mm/f4 IS and 1.4x; ISO-400, f5.6, 1/640s; from tripod.
* Canon EOS 7D with 500mm/f4 IS and 1.4x; ISO-400, f5.6, 1/500s; -0.3 stop; from tripod.

Hooding in the rain

This month I fully focused on the breeding behavior of Black Terns (Chlidonias niger/Zwarte Stern).
Photo 1: Hooding mother. She protects her 2 pulli against the rain; this way she prevents them to cool off too much. Note that the father, sitting at the right-hand side of the platform, already starts to molt. To be continued …

* Canon EOS 7D with 500mm/f4 IS and 1.4x; ISO-400, f5.6, 1/250s; from tripod.

Ascension Day

A couple of days ago I explored this field and already selected this group of Heath Spotted Orchids (Dactylorhiza maculata/Gevlekte Orchis) as the main subject for a wide angle shot. For this Ascension Day morning the weather forecast predicted ground fog after a calm and relatively cold night (± 5°C). This is exactly what I was waiting for. The only thing I had to do was to be at the spot before sunrise (which is at 5h30 AM!). But I was rewarded; if there is a heaven out there it may look like this.

* Canon EOS 5D Mark II with 17-40mm/f4 @ 17mm; ISO-200, f13, 1/15s; -0.3 stop; 2 stop ND gradient filter; from tripod.
* Canon EOS 5D Mark II with 100mm/f2.8; ISO-200, f8, 1/200s; -0.3 stop; from tripod.

De Wieden

Today Ronald Messemaker, warden of “De Wieden”, and I criss-crossed these beautiful marshes by boat. Despite some heavy rain in the morning we had a very pleasant day. A few photos: 1) Black Tern (Chlidonias niger/Zwarte Stern) catching insects above Tule (Schoenoplectus lacustris/Mattenbies), 2) Scaffolding silhouette with Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo/Aalscholver), and 3) Upcoming fog after sunset.

* Canon EOS 7D with 500mm/f4 IS; ISO-400, f7.1, 1/1000s; from tripod.
* Canon EOS 7D with 500mm/f4 IS; ISO-400, f7.1, 1/250s; from tripod.
* Canon EOS 5D Mark II 100mm/f2.8; ISO-400, f7.1, 4s; from tripod; HDR processing.

Home-made mud

House Martins (Delichon urbica/Huiszwaluw) breeding at a farm near Olen (a hamlet between Nuenen and Lieshout) were very glad with my home-made mud. Here is the recipe: Take some sand, cow shit, and straw. Mix this with water and spread it out.

* Canon EOS 7D with 500mm/f4 IS; ISO-400, f7.1, 1/400s; -0.7 stop; from beanbag, lying on the ground covered by camo cloth.

5D: Superb image quality

The image quality of my new Canon EOS 5D Mark II camera is superb. Vivid colors, well-balanced contrasts and a very low noise level. Moreover, the 17-40mm/f4 wide-angle lens (that I already bought in 2009) now pays off in combination with a full frame sensor for which it was designed. I also have the impression that ND gradient filters work out better in full frame.
The closeby “Kamerven” surrounded by flowering Common Cottongrass (Eriophorum angustifolium/Veenpluis) is a nice subject to work with.

* Canon EOS 5D Mark II with 100mm/f2.8; ISO-200, f5, 1/125s; from tripod.
* Canon EOS 5D Mark II with 17-40mm/f4 @ 17mm; ISO-400, f14, 1/80s; -0.3 stop; 2 stop ND gradient filter; from tripod.