May 30th was a big day for the woodpecker chick - today it will take a big step in the world and will leave the security of its nest - however, this morning, it wasn't completely sure yet...but it was a beautiful day - the right day to stretch its wings...we have been lucky to have a woodpecker nest in the garden of our neighbors - and the woodpeckers looking for food in our backyard - Bart Vannieuwenhuyse's Photos- powered by SmugMug

banner

Gallery pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 >

< 7 of 48 >

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse > This summer, I spent a long weekend in the neighborhood of Uitkerke - famous for its bird-life. Since I am not too fond of the busy Belgian coast, I looked for another place to stay and came across this great bed and breakfast in the lovely little town of Lissewege. The hosts, Axel and Guy were very welcoming. If ever you plan a trip to Uitkerke, check-out the Pronkenburg B&B - http://www.pronkenburg.be/

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse > Grey heron (Ardea cinerea) - blauwe reiger in Uitkerke. In the middle of summer bird-life was actually at a low point and not too much was stirring in the polders. I was happy with this fellow strolling along the hide

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse > Although not too much was stirring in the Uitkerkse Polder, there was a rare guest and so I "scored" my first casarca (Tadorna ferruginea) in the wild...probably a bird that escaped somewhere...

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse > while numbers of birds were low, I considered the trip to Uitkerke a success especially with this observation of a Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus) - waterral. The rail had been resting for a long time at the edge of the reeds and was just getting ready to walk around a bit when a young hen harrier flew over and scared everything away... ah well, it will be for some next visit to Uitkerke

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse > Mom is bringing some food and in the meantime tries to lure the chick out of the nest

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse > Great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopus major) - grote bonte specht - mom feeding the chick - it was remarkable how "careful" the adult bird was in feeding the young - but then, the chick was rather enthusiastic and would pick mom's feathers several times

May 30th was a big day for the woodpecker chick - today it will take a big step in the world and will leave the security of its nest - however, this morning, it wasn't completely sure yet...but it was a beautiful day - the right day to stretch its wings...we have been lucky to have a woodpecker nest in the garden of our neighbors - and the woodpeckers looking for food in our backyard