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 ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 00:50:10 -0700

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:02:21 -0700

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

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:01:24 -0700

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

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:00:46 -0700

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 ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:00:23 -0700

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:03:05 -0700

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:04:58 -0700

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 ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 00:51:05 -0700

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:04:13 -0700

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

Green-winged Orchid (Orchis morio) - harlekijn

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:05:47 -0700

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:06:37 -0700

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 ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:07:37 -0700

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:08:58 -0700

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) - purperreiger

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:09:54 -0700

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 ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:11:52 -0700

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 ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:12:46 -0700

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:13:29 -0700

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:16:10 -0700

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:15:26 -0700

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:18:18 -0700

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:17:44 -0700

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

Frog gathering

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:17:10 -0700

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Frog gathering

Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) - geoorde fuut

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:18:59 -0700

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 ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:19:51 -0700

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 ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:21:29 -0700

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:20:34 -0700

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus malvae) - aardbeivlinder

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:22:05 -0700

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:22:38 -0700

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:32:39 -0700

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 ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 00:51:47 -0700

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 ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:23:42 -0700

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:24:37 -0700

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) - purperreiger

Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) - purperreiger

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 16 May 2009 00:18:22 -0700

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) - purperreiger

Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) - purperreiger

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 16 May 2009 00:19:17 -0700

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) - purperreiger

Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) - purperreiger

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 16 May 2009 00:19:42 -0700

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) - purperreiger

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:25:32 -0700

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

Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) - purperreiger

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:26:23 -0700

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 00:49:36 -0700

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:27:02 -0700

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.

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:27:28 -0700

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:28:10 -0700

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

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:28:41 -0700

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

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:29:28 -0700

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Mon, 11 May 2009 14:06:19 -0700

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:30:50 -0700

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Sunrise in Brenne

Sunrise in Brenne

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 16 May 2009 00:21:02 -0700

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Sunrise in Brenne

Sunrise in Brenne

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 16 May 2009 00:20:20 -0700

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Sunrise in Brenne

Sunrise in Brenne

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 16 May 2009 00:21:44 -0700

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 ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:30:08 -0700

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

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:32:11 -0700

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse
Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) - geoorde fuut

Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) - geoorde fuut

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:31:30 -0700

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.

nobody@smugmug.com (Bart Vannieuwenhuyse) — Sat, 09 May 2009 00:52:23 -0700

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.