Just before spring exploded, I visited a new area for me. Birding at Zouweboezem
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Just before spring exploded, I visited a new area for me. Birding at Zouweboezem it was. It is known for its many diverse birds as this area is a bit of everything. Wet grasslands, reeds, trees and forest cover for the more skittish birds. So an ideal area for the start of spring, but it seemed that I was a bit too early.
The Zouweboezem is a bit special as it sits in the middle of the country, is quite small, but is part of a larger river delta and is partly maintain in cooperation with the local farmers, so this part is ideal for all sort of birds. For me mainly the one to capture was the Purple heron (Purperreiger). Unfortunately a more local bird photographer I met there told me that the many Purper herons will arrive just before summer or mid summer, so I was way too early.
Still I had a good time and a very photogenic Chaffinch that was giving a way a real show to photograph. So pretty happy with the photos, especially with the blossom in the trees.
The rest of the hike was more exploratory and figuring out where to come back to in summer. In the end I got a really nice Marsh harrier flying above my head. A small bonus that was really nice to get, as the harrier was probably hunting for food as it kept going in circles.
At the end of my short visit to this area I was confused when a heron flew at me, darker than normal, but already at the car I did not really notice it. When it came closer I saw that it indeed was the Purple heron that eluded me for the last years. Totally unprepared I tried to get some shots. Let me say I have proof that they exist, but that is all. I will added the photo, but its not the best, but I am happy.
So there you have it! All photos shot with the OM-1 and the 150-400F4.5 pro lens. Click to view larger in a light box and navigate with mouse or arrow keys. Enjoy!
