Brenne Spring 2009

Great Crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) - fuut with "catch of the day". This bird was very successful and in about 10 minutes, it caught 4 fish at about the same location just in front of o ...

2009-12-23T17:21:02Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Great Crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) - fuut with "catch of the day". This bird was very successful and in about 10 minutes, it caught 4 fish at about the same location just in front of o ...

Great Crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) - fuut - Brenne France

2009-12-23T17:21:02Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Great Crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) - fuut - Brenne France

Great Crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) - fuut - Brenne France

2009-12-23T17:21:02Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Great Crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) - fuut - Brenne France

Great Crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) - fuut - Brenne France

2009-12-23T17:21:02Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Great Crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) - fuut - Brenne France

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) - eenstijlige meidoorn - with some mosquito spec. - the musquito was using its long "snout" (rostrum) to suck the nectar from the hawthorn. The hawthorn bushes ...

2009-12-23T17:21:02Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) - eenstijlige meidoorn - with some mosquito spec. - the musquito was using its long "snout" (rostrum) to suck the nectar from the hawthorn. The hawthorn bushes ...

A pair of Red-crested Pochards (Netta rufina) - krooneend - the Brenne is one of the regions where this striking duck breeds

2009-12-23T17:21:02Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
A pair of Red-crested Pochards (Netta rufina) - krooneend - the Brenne is one of the regions where this striking duck breeds

Green-winged Orchid (Orchis morio) - harlekijn

2009-12-23T17:21:02Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Green-winged Orchid (Orchis morio) - harlekijn

Green-winged Orchid (Orchis morio) - harlekijn - while we were in the Brenne (April 2009), it must have been the peak of the season for these nice orchids. They were quite abundant and somet ...

2009-12-23T17:21:02Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Green-winged Orchid (Orchis morio) - harlekijn - while we were in the Brenne (April 2009), it must have been the peak of the season for these nice orchids. They were quite abundant and somet ...

Green-winged Orchid (Orchis morio) - harlekijn

2009-12-23T17:21:02Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Green-winged Orchid (Orchis morio) - harlekijn

Green-winged Orchid (Orchis morio) - harlekijn

2009-12-23T17:21:02Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Green-winged Orchid (Orchis morio) - harlekijn

Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) - purperreiger - here "shot" from the hide at the Foucault lake in the Brenne

2009-12-23T17:21:02Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) - purperreiger - here "shot" from the hide at the Foucault lake in the Brenne

Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) - purperreiger - same bird as previous picture - I haven't been very satisfied of the 2x convertor of Canon - I bought it about 8 years ago and decided to give ...

2009-12-23T17:21:02Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) - purperreiger - same bird as previous picture - I haven't been very satisfied of the 2x convertor of Canon - I bought it about 8 years ago and decided to give ...

Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) - purperreiger

2009-12-23T17:21:02Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) - purperreiger

Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) - purperreiger being chased off by a black-headed gull (Larus ridibundus) - kokmeeuw

2009-12-23T17:21:02Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) - purperreiger being chased off by a black-headed gull (Larus ridibundus) - kokmeeuw

Nutria (Myocastor coypus) - beverrat - this exotic species originating from South America and once imported for its fur has become a real pest in the Brenne. It has a big appetite for all wa ...

2009-12-23T17:21:02Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Nutria (Myocastor coypus) - beverrat - this exotic species originating from South America and once imported for its fur has become a real pest in the Brenne. It has a big appetite for all wa ...

Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) - gekraagde roodstaart - Foret de Lancosme in the Brenne. This redstart had its nest in a bird house and was a bit worried when we lingered in its n ...

2009-12-23T17:21:02Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) - gekraagde roodstaart - Foret de Lancosme in the Brenne. This redstart had its nest in a bird house and was a bit worried when we lingered in its n ...

Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius) - zwarte specht - Brenne France

2009-12-23T17:21:02Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius) - zwarte specht - Brenne France

Dominating the Brenne region is the Chateau du Bouchet near Rosnay - here seen from the reed marsh of the Montiacre lake

2009-12-23T17:21:02Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Dominating the Brenne region is the Chateau du Bouchet near Rosnay - here seen from the reed marsh of the Montiacre lake

spring green in Brenne

2009-12-23T17:21:02Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
spring green in Brenne

Litlle grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) - dodaars - always active, always diving but this one felt like flapping its wings a bit

2009-12-23T17:21:02Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Litlle grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) - dodaars - always active, always diving but this one felt like flapping its wings a bit

Great Crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) - fuut - Brenne France

2009-12-23T17:21:02Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Great Crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) - fuut - Brenne France

Frog gathering

2009-12-23T17:21:02Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Frog gathering

Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) - geoorde fuut

2009-12-23T17:21:02Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) - geoorde fuut

Cherine at early morning - the hide at the maison de la nature opens early each first Saturday of the month - that day, it is accessible from 6:30 onwards - all other mornings, the hide only ...

2009-12-23T17:21:02Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Cherine at early morning - the hide at the maison de la nature opens early each first Saturday of the month - that day, it is accessible from 6:30 onwards - all other mornings, the hide only ...

Tongue Orchid (Serapias lingua) - serapias - beautiful and strangely formed orchid was only at the very beginning of its flowering period while we were in the Brenne - but judging by the man ...

2009-12-23T17:21:02Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Tongue Orchid (Serapias lingua) - serapias - beautiful and strangely formed orchid was only at the very beginning of its flowering period while we were in the Brenne - but judging by the man ...

Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus malvae) - aardbeivlinder

2009-12-23T17:21:02Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus malvae) - aardbeivlinder

Couple gadwalls (Anas strepera) - krakeend - male following female

2009-12-23T17:21:02Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Couple gadwalls (Anas strepera) - krakeend - male following female

Couple gadwalls (Anas strepera) - krakeend - the typical white wing patches can be seen in the landing bird

2009-12-23T17:21:02Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Couple gadwalls (Anas strepera) - krakeend - the typical white wing patches can be seen in the landing bird

Flight of pochards (Aythya ferina) - tafeleend with seven males for one female (front one) it is clear who has the opportunity to chose here

2009-12-23T17:21:28Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Flight of pochards (Aythya ferina) - tafeleend with seven males for one female (front one) it is clear who has the opportunity to chose here

Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) - purperreiger - this one stole a branch from an other nest. Surely, that branch will come in handy in preparing its own nest. See more on this robbery in the B ...

2009-12-23T17:21:28Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) - purperreiger - this one stole a branch from an other nest. Surely, that branch will come in handy in preparing its own nest. See more on this robbery in the B ...

Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) - purperreiger - we were lucky to get this one close by in great morning light at the Cherine hide. The herons were still building / improving their nests and t ...

2009-12-23T17:21:28Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) - purperreiger - we were lucky to get this one close by in great morning light at the Cherine hide. The herons were still building / improving their nests and t ...

Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) - purperreiger

2009-12-23T17:21:28Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) - purperreiger

Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) - purperreiger

2009-12-23T17:21:28Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) - purperreiger

Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) - purperreiger

2009-12-23T17:21:28Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) - purperreiger

Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) - purperreiger

2009-12-23T17:21:28Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) - purperreiger

Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) - purperreiger - having selected a good branch, the heron took off

2009-12-23T17:21:29Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) - purperreiger - having selected a good branch, the heron took off

Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) - purperreiger

2009-12-23T17:21:29Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) - purperreiger

Tree frog (Hyla arborea) - boomkikker - here in the Brenne (France) where the many lakes with good shrubs offer an ideal environment for these little frogs

2009-12-23T17:21:29Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Tree frog (Hyla arborea) - boomkikker - here in the Brenne (France) where the many lakes with good shrubs offer an ideal environment for these little frogs

Whitethroat (Sylvia communis) - grasmus - around the Maison de la Nature (Brenne France) at least 3 birds were marking their territory by singing their "rapid lark" song

2009-12-23T17:21:29Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Whitethroat (Sylvia communis) - grasmus - around the Maison de la Nature (Brenne France) at least 3 birds were marking their territory by singing their "rapid lark" song

Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth (Hemaris fuciformis) - glasvleugel pijlstaart - although this is a moth and one would expect it more at dusk / night - the hawk-moth is a day-flying species.

2009-12-23T17:21:29Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth (Hemaris fuciformis) - glasvleugel pijlstaart - although this is a moth and one would expect it more at dusk / night - the hawk-moth is a day-flying species.

Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth (Hemaris fuciformis) - glasvleugel pijlstaart

2009-12-23T17:21:29Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth (Hemaris fuciformis) - glasvleugel pijlstaart

Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth (Hemaris fuciformis) - glasvleugel pijlstaart

2009-12-23T17:21:29Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth (Hemaris fuciformis) - glasvleugel pijlstaart

Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) - fazant - running for cover for the approaching people

2009-12-23T17:21:29Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) - fazant - running for cover for the approaching people

golden morning in the Brenne (France) - a region know for its many lakes. See for more pictures in the "Brenne Spring 2009" gallery

2009-12-23T17:21:29Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
golden morning in the Brenne (France) - a region know for its many lakes. See for more pictures in the "Brenne Spring 2009" gallery

Sunrise in Brenne

2009-12-23T17:21:29Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Sunrise in Brenne

Sunrise in Brenne

2009-12-23T17:21:29Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Sunrise in Brenne

Sunrise in Brenne

2009-12-23T17:21:29Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Sunrise in Brenne

Sunrise in Brenne

2009-12-23T17:21:29Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Sunrise in Brenne

Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula) - kuifeend - clearly, spring was in the air -- or in this case water -- several pairs were preparing the next generation - not sure whether the female enjoys th ...

2009-12-23T17:21:29Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula) - kuifeend - clearly, spring was in the air -- or in this case water -- several pairs were preparing the next generation - not sure whether the female enjoys th ...

Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) - geoorde fuut

2009-12-23T17:21:29Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) - geoorde fuut

Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) - geoorde fuut

2009-12-23T17:21:29Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) - geoorde fuut

Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) - geoorde fuut - with its many lakes, the Brenne region offers great nesting oppotunities for the eared grebe - it can be observed on many of the lakes.

2009-12-23T17:23:11Z

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) - geoorde fuut - with its many lakes, the Brenne region offers great nesting oppotunities for the eared grebe - it can be observed on many of the lakes.