Birding trip to Germany
Printed From: Dyxum.com
Category: Dyxum Photographs
Forum Name: Open Views
Forum Description: Showcase your work and give feedback on other members' work
URL: https://www.dyxum.com/dforum/forum_posts.asp?TID=141693
Printed Date: 08 February 2023 at 20:41
Topic: Birding trip to Germany
Posted By: Hezu
Subject: Birding trip to Germany
Date Posted: 23 November 2022 at 21:36
Earlier this autumn I participated on a birding trip to Germany that was organized by Helsinki region's ornithological society Tringa. The main focus was in Wadden Sea coast in Schleswig-Holstein and this was entirely a surface travel trip as we would travel by sea to Germany and back and then travel the longer distances within Germany on cars. The plan included also two island visits: Hooge and Heligoland.
So, on Friday September 30th, our group of eight met in Vuosaari harbour in Helsinki and we crammed ourselves and our luggage into two cars and after check-in and fairly long wait, we drove into M/S Finnmaid, which was goint to transport us to Travemünde. In Germany, we would have slightly less cramped conditions in the vehicles as the ninth member of our group and one more car would join us there as she had only this autumn returned to Germany after spending 20+ years in Helsinki.
Obviously, as birders the first thing to do after dropping luggage into the cabins was to head to...
1. Sun deck https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/kulkuneuvot/Laivat%20ja%20veneet/2022-09-30T164247.jpg"> α7R III + Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS @ 24 mm, f/10, 1/160 s, ISO 125
2. Somewhere around those islands there happened to be few birds https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/kulkuneuvot/Laivat%20ja%20veneet/2022-09-30T163708.jpg"> α7R III + Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS @ 24 mm, f/9, 1/160 s, ISO 100
Eventually the ship departed and started its about 30 hour journey towards Germany
3. The other Finnlines ship on the next pier https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/kulkuneuvot/Laivat%20ja%20veneet/2022-09-30T165425.jpg"> α7R III + Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS @ 24 mm, f/10, 1/160 s, ISO 250
4. Sailing past a small island https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/It%C3%A4meri/2022-09-30T170104.jpg"> α7R III + Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS @ 24 mm, f/10, 1/100 s, ISO 160
5. Archipelago towards Sipoo https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/It%C3%A4meri/2022-09-30T171141.jpg"> α7R III + Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS @ 27 mm, f/11, 1/160 s, ISO 125
6. Dramatic skies https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/It%C3%A4meri/2022-09-30T172135.jpg"> α7R III + Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS @ 24 mm, f/11, 1/160 s, ISO 125
7. Central Helsinki skyline as seen from the sea https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/It%C3%A4meri/2022-09-30T172648%20%281%29.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS @ 600 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 s, ISO 800
8. Evening light reflecting on the windows of skyscrapers https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/It%C3%A4meri/2022-09-30T174008.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS @ 600 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 s, ISO 1000
9. Silja Symphony had also departed Helsinki and was sailing towards Stockholm https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/kulkuneuvot/Laivat%20ja%20veneet/2022-09-30T174455.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS @ 600 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 s, ISO 800
10. During the dinner time sunset coloured the clouds https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/It%C3%A4meri/2022-09-30T190230%20%281%29.jpg"> Sony RX10 IV @ 34.7 mm (35 mm eqv. 95 mm), f/4, 1/640 s, ISO 800
Most of the next day was spent at sea with no big events, even the weather was quite dull...
11. Sun trying to shine thru the thick cloud cover https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/It%C3%A4meri/2022-10-01T132650.jpg"> α7R III + Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS @ 27 mm, f/13, 1/200 s, ISO 160
In the evening we arrived at Travemünde and headed directly to the nearest hotel and soon it was time to go to bed since the next morning we would have an early start as we were going to travel from the Baltic Sea coast to the North Sea coast, so we could catch the ferry to Hooge at 10:00.
Thus in Sunday morning we started the journey around 6:30, made a quick stop at a gas station to grab some breakfast (as the hotel would have started their breakfast service only at 7 am) and soon were driving on the autobahns in conditions that showed the weather pattern for the next couple days.
12. Already in somewhat smaller road https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/D-2XXXX%20%28Schleswig-Holstein%29/2022-10-02T084411.jpg"> Sony RX10 IV @ 12.6 mm (35 mm eqv. 34 mm), f/4, 1/1600 s, ISO 400
And eventually we did arrive to Schluttsiel to catch the ferry to Hooge.
13. One of the other nearby islands https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/D-2XXXX%20%28Schleswig-Holstein%29/2022-10-02T100409.jpg"> α7R III + Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS @ 24 mm, f/11, 1/250 s, ISO 100
14. Hallig Langeneß (if I'm not mistaken) https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/D-2XXXX%20%28Schleswig-Holstein%29/2022-10-02T102233.jpg"> α7R III + Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS @ 68 mm, f/11, 1/400 s, ISO 160
15. I wonder if there would be treasure... https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/D-2XXXX%20%28Schleswig-Holstein%29/2022-10-02T102414.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS @ 600 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 s, ISO 200
16. Rainbow https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/D-2XXXX%20%28Schleswig-Holstein%29/2022-10-02T102442.jpg"> α7R III + Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS @ 24 mm, f/11, 1/400 s, ISO 200
17. Our destination: Hallig Hooge https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/D-25859%20Hal%C2%ADlig%20Hooge/2022-10-02T105406.jpg"> α7R III + Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS @ 105 mm, f/11, 1/400 s, ISO 200
We didn't take the cars to Hooge and as our accomodation was over kilometer away from the harbour and we had quite a lot luggage, there was question how we can haul those, but quickly we found some help:
18. Pferdebus https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/nis%C3%A4kk%C3%A4%C3%A4t%20ja%20matelijat/Kotiel%C3%A4imet/2022-10-02T111116.jpg"> Sony RX10 IV @ 8.8 mm (35 mm eqv. 24 mm), f/4, 1/1600 s, ISO 125
Although in the end, I think 2/3 of us (including yours truly) decided to not ride the horse bus and walk to get better first look on this interesting island.
The walk allowed to make some bird observations, eg.
19. House sparrow (Passer domesticus) https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/Lintulajit%202022/Saksa/varpunen.jpg"> Sony RX10 IV @ 220 mm (35 mm eqv. 600 mm), f/4, 1/1600 s, ISO 200
20. Song trush (Turdus philomelos) https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/Lintulajit%202022/Saksa/laulurastas.jpg"> Sony RX10 IV @ 220 mm (35 mm eqv. 600 mm), f/4, 1/1600 s, ISO 250
21. Another example of the local transport https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/nis%C3%A4kk%C3%A4%C3%A4t%20ja%20matelijat/Kotiel%C3%A4imet/2022-10-02T114805.jpg"> α7R III + Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS @ 57 mm, f/11, 1/400 s, ISO 400
To be continued...
And yes, RX10 IV is not α-series ILC, but at times, it was easier to wield than the "big guns".
------------- http://hezu.1g.fi/ - Galerie Hezu
|
Replies:
Posted By: Fred_S
Date Posted: 24 November 2022 at 19:12
Well, the majority is with formally allowed gear Youcertainly had some nice skies and rainbows underway Heikki. And I know at leasst one Dutch member whow will be happy with #18 and 21 too TFS, and looking forward to the rest of your trip.
------------- https://www.flickr.com/photos/147603320@N02 - My Flickr https://www.instagram.com/fred_s_photography - My Instagram
|
Posted By: Harm vb
Date Posted: 24 November 2022 at 19:26
Nice start! But, how many camera's did you take with you???
------------- Harm, with A7iv+A7iii plus 12-400mm glass. https://www.flickr.com/photos/harmvanbeek/ - My Flickr
|
Posted By: Hezu
Date Posted: 24 November 2022 at 19:53
Harm vb wrote:
Nice start! But, how many camera's did you take with you???  | Four: α1, α7R III, α7R IV and RX10 IV. And then there was also my Swarovski ATX 95 fieldscope, although luckily one person in our group didn't own a fieldscope, so I got some help carrying that.
------------- http://hezu.1g.fi/ - Galerie Hezu
|
Posted By: Hezu
Date Posted: 24 November 2022 at 20:57
After settling in our accomodation at the Hooge Seminar House, it was finally time to start doing some serious bird watching, although the first destination for the afternoon walk was a cafe... ;)
22. Young oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) on a cow field https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/Lintulajit%202022/Saksa/meriharakka.jpg"> α7R III + Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS @ 105 mm, f/11, 1/200 s, ISO 160
23. Horses https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/nis%C3%A4kk%C3%A4%C3%A4t%20ja%20matelijat/Kotiel%C3%A4imet/2022-10-02T150938.jpg"> α7R III + Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS @ 83 mm, f/11, 1/200 s, ISO 160
Hooge and many nearby North Frisian islands go by term Hallig and common feature on these flat lowland islands is that the population is concentrated on the artificial mounds called Warft, which helps to keep houses intact in the case there would be a storm tide that would cause flooding on the lower parts of the islands.
24. Our accomodation was located on Hanswarft https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/D-25859%20Hal%C2%ADlig%20Hooge/2022-10-02T164315.jpg"> α7R III + Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS @ 92 mm, f/11, 1/200 s, ISO 100
25. Backenswarft hosted the cafe we visited https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/D-25859%20Hal%C2%ADlig%20Hooge/2022-10-02T173050.jpg"> α7R III + Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS @ 103 mm, f/11, 1/320 s, ISO 500
26. Ockenswarft https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/D-25859%20Hal%C2%ADlig%20Hooge/2022-10-02T174605.jpg"> α7R III + Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS @ 104 mm, f/11, 1/320 s, ISO 100
Ok, enough about the landscape for a while, we were there on a birding trip and on the east coast of Hooge, we did see quite decent amounts of birds:
27. Common greenshanks (Tringa nebularia) https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/Lintulajit%202022/Saksa/valkoviklo.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS @ 600 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 s, ISO 200
28. Snow bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/Lintulajit%202022/Saksa/pulmunen.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS @ 600 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 s, ISO 640
29. "Few" ruddy turnstones (Arenaria interpres) and dunlins (Calidris alpina) https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/ei-varpuslinnut/kurpat/2022-10-02T170311.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS + 1.4× TC @ 840 mm, f/9, 1/1600 s, ISO 800
30. Common ringed plowers (Charadrius hiaticula) https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/Lintulajit%202022/Saksa/tylli.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS @ 600 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 s, ISO 500
31. Ruddy turnstone in flight https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/Lintulajit%202022/Saksa/karikukko.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS @ 600 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 s, ISO 500
32. Starling in flight https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/Lintulajit%202022/Saksa/kottarainen.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS @ 600 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 s, ISO 1250
33. More rainbows https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/D-25859%20Hal%C2%ADlig%20Hooge/2022-10-02T174634.jpg"> α7R IV + Sony Carl Zeiss FE 4/16-35 OSS @ 16 mm, f/10, 1/160 s, ISO 100
34. End of rainbow https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/2022-10-02T174830.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS @ 200 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 s, ISO 640
35. Gulls, wigeons, oystercatchers, cormorants https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/2022-10-02T175058.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS @ 600 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 s, ISO 640
36. Some oystercatchers (+ gulls and wigeons etc.) https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/2022-10-02T180151.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS @ 600 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 s, ISO 640
37. Yet another rainbow https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/D-25859%20Hal%C2%ADlig%20Hooge/2022-10-02T180959.jpg"> α7R III + Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS @ 38 mm, f/11, 1/320 s, ISO 320
38. Gulls (and shrimp cutter) https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/kulkuneuvot/Laivat%20ja%20veneet/2022-10-02T181448.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS @ 600 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 s, ISO 640
39. One more rainbow https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/D-25859%20Hal%C2%ADlig%20Hooge/2022-10-02T182512.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS @ 200 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 s, ISO 800
40. Light rays https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/D-25859%20Hal%C2%ADlig%20Hooge/2022-10-02T183320.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS @ 268 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 s, ISO 3200
And as the light was dimishing it was time to retreat to our accomodation, have a dinner and head to bed.
More to come...
------------- http://hezu.1g.fi/ - Galerie Hezu
|
Posted By: mariuszlo
Date Posted: 24 November 2022 at 23:30
Those oystercatchers in #36 look like a 19th century army. very nice!
------------- Sony A99II with Sony, Minolta, Sigma, Tamron A lenses, Sony A7R with Minolta MD lenses, Sony A6400 with Sony E lenses.
|
Posted By: Hezu
Date Posted: 26 November 2022 at 18:58
We started the Monday morning by taking a walk around Hanswarft to look for birds, especially small ones that might be hiding in the bushes.
41. Nationalpark-Seminarhaus Hooge https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/rakennukset/2022-10-03T071711.jpg"> α7R III + Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS @ 24 mm, f/6.3, 1/200 s, ISO 6400
42. Sunrise https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/D-25859%20Hal%C2%ADlig%20Hooge/2022-10-03T074033.jpg"> α7R III + Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS @ 105 mm, f/10, 1/125 s, ISO 100
And eventually we found some birds...
43. Goldcrest (Regulus regulus) https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/Lintulajit%202022/Saksa/hippi%C3%A4inen.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS @ 600 mm, f/6.3, 1/1000 s, ISO 12800
44. European robin (Erithacus rubecula) https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/Lintulajit%202022/Saksa/punarinta.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS @ 600 mm, f/6.3, 1/1250 s, ISO 12800
45. Eurasian blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/Lintulajit%202022/Saksa/sinitiainen.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS @ 600 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 s, ISO 3200
46. Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla) https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/Lintulajit%202022/Saksa/j%C3%A4rripeippo.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS @ 600 mm, f/6.3, 1/1000 s, ISO 500
There was also couple ponds within the village:
47. Common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/Lintulajit%202022/Saksa/liejukana.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS @ 600 mm, f/6.3, 1/1000 s, ISO 12800
48. Hooge landscape https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/D-25859%20Hal%C2%ADlig%20Hooge/2022-10-03T084633.jpg"> α7R III + Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS @ 105 mm, f/11, 1/160 s, ISO 125
Later in the morning, closer to noon, started the most memorable part of whole trip: a hike to Japsand, a sandbank island in middle of Wadden Sea. This obviously needed a low tide as we were going to wade in the sea.
49. Wadden Sea https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/D-25859%20Hal%C2%ADlig%20Hooge/2022-10-03T114414.jpg"> α7R III + Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS @ 24 mm, f/13, 1/160 s, ISO 100
50. Hallig Hooge https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/D-25859%20Hal%C2%ADlig%20Hooge/2022-10-03T122315.jpg"> α7R III + Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS @ 24 mm, f/13, 1/160 s, ISO 100
On our way to Japsand we did see some birds:
51. Wigeons https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/Lintulajit%202022/Saksa/haapana.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS @ 600 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 s, ISO 400
52. Dunlins (and wigeons in the background) https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/ei-varpuslinnut/kurpat/2022-10-03T114557.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS @ 600 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 s, ISO 400
53. Mudflat hikers https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/ihmiset/Lintuharrastus/Tringan%20Saksan%20retki%202022/2022-10-03T123620.jpg"> α7R III + Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS @ 24 mm, f/13, 1/160 s, ISO 100
54. Almost there https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/D-25859%20Hal%C2%ADlig%20Hooge/2022-10-03T124703.jpg"> α7R III + Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS @ 24 mm, f/13, 1/160 s, ISO 100
55. Japsand https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/D-25859%20Hal%C2%ADlig%20Hooge/2022-10-03T130052.jpg"> α7R III + Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS @ 24 mm, f/13, 1/200 s, ISO 100
56. View towards the direction where we came https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/D-25859%20Hal%C2%ADlig%20Hooge/2022-10-03T130810.jpg"> α7R III + Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS @ 24 mm, f/11, 1/200 s, ISO 125
57. Japsand beach https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/D-25859%20Hal%C2%ADlig%20Hooge/2022-10-03T131623.jpg"> α7R III + Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS @ 24 mm, f/13, 1/320 s, ISO 125
We did make few wildlife observations on Japsand:
58. Dead seal https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/sekalaiset/2022-10-03T130125.jpg"> α7R III + Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS @ 49 mm, f/13, 1/200 s, ISO 250
59. Living seal heading towards sea https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/nis%C3%A4kk%C3%A4%C3%A4t%20ja%20matelijat/2022-10-03T130508.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS @ 600 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 s, ISO 500
The background of the previous photo proves that there was few birds on the shoreline, but the bigger masses were clearly at sea between Hooge and Japsand. Perhaps in summer there might been more birds on Japsand as I understood that there would be a tern colony. Although, I think that then it would be also prohibited to go there to protect these birds. But in early October, all terns had already migrated away.
So, after spending about hour on Japsand, it was time to start the journey back to Hooge.
60. Mudflats https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/D-25859%20Hal%C2%ADlig%20Hooge/2022-10-03T142758.jpg"> α7R III + Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS @ 29 mm, f/13, 1/320 s, ISO 320
As I said the bird masses were at sea...
61. Wigeons flying over Wadden Sea https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/D-25859%20Hal%C2%ADlig%20Hooge/2022-10-03T144146.jpg"> α7R III + Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS @ 105 mm, f/13, 1/320 s, ISO 250
62. Eurasian wigeons (Mareca penelope) https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/ei-varpuslinnut/sorsat/puolisukeltajat/2022-10-03T145026.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS @ 200 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 s, ISO 100
On the left side behind the birds, you can see Hallig Norderoog, a tiny island with just pair of buildings that in summertime house the bird counter whose task is to keep count on the birds that nest thereabouts. And yes, the easiest way to go there is by hiking thru the mudflats.
63. Brent geese (Branta bernicla) https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/Lintulajit%202022/Saksa/sepelhanhi.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS @ 600 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 s, ISO 640
64. Dunlins in flight https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/ei-varpuslinnut/kurpat/2022-10-03T145503.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS @ 600 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 s, ISO 200
65. Dunlins https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/Lintulajit%202022/Saksa/suosirri.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS @ 600 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 s, ISO 400
So, after quite exhausting hike I finally made back to firm land. In retrospect I think this passion ornithological tour might been slightly less demanding if I had had different (= lighter) equipment: rubber boots were not the best choice of footwear (some sort of neoprere socks/boots might been better) and perhaps I also had slightly too much clothing on, especially as while hiking I had rather heavy camera backpack in my back. And obviously while hiking on mudflats, you can't take the backpack off as there is no dry surface to place it.
On way back to our accomodation I found few photogenic subjects:
66. Chickens https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/ei-varpuslinnut/aitokanat/2022-10-03T153612.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS @ 600 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 s, ISO 3200
67. White sheep https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/nis%C3%A4kk%C3%A4%C3%A4t%20ja%20matelijat/Kotiel%C3%A4imet/2022-10-03T153817.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS @ 404 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 s, ISO 1250
68. Black sheep https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/nis%C3%A4kk%C3%A4%C3%A4t%20ja%20matelijat/Kotiel%C3%A4imet/2022-10-03T153822.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS @ 379 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 s, ISO 4000
69. Sheep https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/nis%C3%A4kk%C3%A4%C3%A4t%20ja%20matelijat/Kotiel%C3%A4imet/2022-10-03T153827.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS @ 362 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 s, ISO 1600
70. At least from this view point it looks like the ships at sea on the other side of Hooge did collide... https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/kulkuneuvot/Laivat%20ja%20veneet/2022-10-03T154624.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS @ 426 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 s, ISO 200
71. Clouds over Hooge https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/D-25859%20Hal%C2%ADlig%20Hooge/2022-10-03T154643.jpg"> α7R III + Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS @ 24 mm, f/11, 1/320 s, ISO 160
After spending the rest of the afternoon recovering from all the hiking, we had a dinner at T-Stube near our accomodation and after finishing the evening meal it was already dark. As there is little light pollution on Hooge, you could easily see stars in the sky. Thus I decided to take my chance on astrophotography...
72. Nightsky https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/D-25859%20Hal%C2%ADlig%20Hooge/2022-10-03T205839.jpg"> α7R IV + Sony FE 1.8/14 GM @ 14 mm, f/2, 20 s, ISO 3200
My original idea was to take a picture of Milky Way, but sadly the moon happened to be in the same direction! Despite this I think the result was quite interesting. The moon would have set down in few hours later, but somehow I didn't want to stay up late as we were going to take the morning ferry back to the mainland at 8 am.
Stay tuned for the next installment...
------------- http://hezu.1g.fi/ - Galerie Hezu
|
Posted By: Hezu
Date Posted: 11 December 2022 at 11:32
In Tuesday morning it was time to leave Hooge, although it might been nice to stay there for slightly longer.
73. Dawn https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/D-25859%20Hal%C2%ADlig%20Hooge/2022-10-04T072312.jpg"> Sony RX10 IV @ 8.8 mm (35 mm eqv. 24 mm), f/4, 1/60 s, ISO 500
74. Our ride to the mainland arrives https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/kulkuneuvot/Laivat%20ja%20veneet/2022-10-04T074130.jpg"> Sony RX10 IV @ 14.2 mm (35 mm eqv. 39 mm), f/4, 1/60 s, ISO 125
75. Our destination: Schlüttsiel https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/D-25842%20Ockholm/2022-10-04T091316.jpg"> Sony RX10 IV @ 9.6 mm (35 mm eqv. 26 mm), f/4, 1/1600 s, ISO 250
76. Tractor pulled carts are used to transport luggage (and mail) to/from Halligen on this ferry route https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/ihmiset/Lintuharrastus/Tringan%20Saksan%20retki%202022/2022-10-04T091817.jpg"> Sony RX10 IV @ 16.3 mm (35 mm eqv. 44 mm), f/4, 1/1600 s, ISO 800
Once we got our luggage from the harbour into the cars in the parking lot (which are separated by a dike), it was time to start the birding on the German mainland. And given that Schlüttsiel is in the middle of a causeway, we would not need to go far to see some waterfowl as there is water on both sides.
We didn't get further than the first roadside parking place, when we met a German birder that informed us that there has been sightings of a rarity in the area and it didn't take too long to search for the New World species in question...
77. Two long-billed dowitchers (Limnodromus scolopaceus) and other birds https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/Lintulajit%202022/Saksa/tundrakurppelo.jpg"> Sony RX10 IV @ 220 mm (35 mm eqv. 600 mm), f/4, 1/1600 s, ISO 200
78. One of the bird hides in the area https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/rakennukset/2022-10-04T121854.jpg"> Sony RX10 IV @ 8.8 mm (35 mm eqv. 24 mm), f/4, 1/2000 s, ISO 200
From that hide, we saw two raptors:
79. Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) and white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/2022-10-04T122720.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS + 1.4× TC @ 840 mm, f/9, 1/1600 s, ISO 800
Interestingly, when we first reviewed the list of potential birds we might see in Germany, it was said that white-tailed eagles are not that common (especially when compared to coastal areas of Southern Finland, where it is pretty common these days). However, we ended up seeing these eagles fairly often, at least five birds or so.
80. Pink-footed goose (Anser brachyrhynchus) among greylag geese (Anser anser) https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/Lintulajit%202022/Saksa/lyhytnokkahanhi.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS + 1.4× TC @ 840 mm, f/9, 1/1600 s, ISO 800
81. Northern pintails (Anas acuta) https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/Lintulajit%202022/Saksa/jouhisorsa.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS + 1.4× TC @ 840 mm, f/9, 1/1600 s, ISO 400
For a lunch, we went to Hamburger Hallig, which is no longer a true island as salt marshes and a causeway road connect it to the main land. Thus, if you are willing to pay the small fee and sheeps grazing on the salt marshes do not block the narrow road, you can drive there.
82. Hamburger Hallig, Hallig Krog on the right https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/D-25821%20Reu%C3%9Fenk%C3%B6ge/2022-10-04T133438.jpg"> Sony RX10 IV @ 8.8 mm (35 mm eqv. 24 mm), f/4, 1/2000 s, ISO 125
83. I managed to take a picture of all the birds commonly found in Nationalpark Wattenmeer https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/sekalaiset/Kylttej%C3%A4/2022-10-04T133715.jpg"> Sony RX10 IV @ 8.8 mm (35 mm eqv. 24 mm), f/4, 1/3200 s, ISO 125
After the lunch, we headed to our next accomodation at Nordsee-Hotel Arlau-Schleuse, checked in and after settling in our rooms, we did little walk around the surroundings as they offered quite nice environment for birding.
84. Little further away there was a bird hide https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/D-25845%20Hattstedtermarsch/2022-10-04T170222.jpg"> α7R III + Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS @ 32 mm, f/11, 1/200 s, ISO 160
85. The red vegetation was typical for the coastal salt marshes https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/D-25845%20Hattstedtermarsch/2022-10-04T170314.jpg"> α7R III + Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS @ 24 mm, f/13, 1/200 s, ISO 125
86. Shallow coastal waters https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/maisemat/D-25845%20Hattstedtermarsch/2022-10-04T170649.jpg"> α7R III + Sony FE 4/24-105 G OSS @ 34 mm, f/13, 1/200 s, ISO 125
87. Not that many birds around, but at least few https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/Lintulajit%202022/Saksa/tundrakurmitsa.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS + 1.4× TC @ 840 mm, f/9, 1/1600 s, ISO 800
88. European herring gull (Larus argentatus) https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/Lintulajit%202022/Saksa/harmaalokki.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS + 1.4× TC @ 840 mm, f/9, 1/1600 s, ISO 2000
Moving back towards inland, one field proved to be a decent place to observe birds...
89. Common buzzard (Buteo buteo) https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/Lintulajit%202022/Saksa/hiirihaukka.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS + 1.4× TC @ 840 mm, f/9, 1/1600 s, ISO 4000
90. Common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/Lintulajit%202022/Saksa/tuulihaukka.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS + 1.4× TC @ 840 mm, f/9, 1/1600 s, ISO 2000
And as we got closer to the sunset time then came...
91. Common starlings https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/varpuslinnut/kottaraiset/2022-10-04T180935.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS + 1.4× TC @ 815 mm, f/9, 1/1600 s, ISO 12800
92. Lots of starlings https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/varpuslinnut/kottaraiset/2022-10-04T180935-1.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS + 1.4× TC @ 815 mm, f/9, 1/1600 s, ISO 12800
93. Large number of starlings https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/varpuslinnut/kottaraiset/2022-10-04T180940.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS + 1.4× TC @ 823 mm, f/9, 1/1600 s, ISO 4000
94. Large flocks of starlings continued to fly past us as we started to head back to the hotel https://hezu.1g.fi/kuvat/el%C3%A4inkunta/linnut/varpuslinnut/kottaraiset/2022-10-04T182331.jpg"> α1 + Sony FE 5.6-6.3/200-600 G OSS + 1.4× TC @ 280 mm, f/9, 1/1600 s, ISO 2500
During the day, we also got some bad news: our ferry from Büsum to Heligoland was cancelled as the weather forecast expected high winds for Thursday. We did attempt reserving alternative ferry connection from Cuxhaven, but the next day also that ferry line informed that the service is cancelled due to the weather conditions. That meant no Heligoland visit for this trip and we would spend the remaining days on the mainland, although some other wild ideas like train to island Sylt did pop up.
And obviously is not yet the end, little more to come... Stay tuned!
------------- http://hezu.1g.fi/ - Galerie Hezu
|
|