Author Archives: Andrew Dressel

I didn’t see the goslings this morning, but that could simply mean that they were down in a canal paddling around when I tried to look from across the field. You may be surprised to learn, however, that they are not even the only late-summer youngsters out on the polder. Here’s one of a clutchContinue reading “More little ones…”

Earlier this week, I came across an article in the newspaper that featured a nice bird picture, and as I prepared to send it to Anne, I realized it was of a Eurasian blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus), which I have not yet seen, and not of one if its cousins, the great tit (Parus major),Continue reading “Late arrivals…”

I’ve still got some pictures left over from the weekend, if you can believe it, so here they are. This first one features a pair of mute swan cygnets, and I took it on Sunday after I was inspired to look up just how big they are by the spectacular Saturday fly-over. I read thatContinue reading “Differences and Similarities…”

Here are some pictures that didn’t fit into Saturday’s report. Besides the Canada goose I showed you, the graylag geese are also abundant and a little more wary than the Canada geese. Here’s one keeping an eye on me while its compatriots continue to graze. Here’s a white wagtail who was foraging in the pastureContinue reading “Saturday Surplus”

The weather was still nice but noticeably hazy this morning. Plus, I got up later than usual, so I missed the sunrise, and I was struggling a bit to find anything photo-worthy. I did glimpse the Eurasian jay again, but it had no time for me today. I also spotted another stoat, but it tooContinue reading “Butterflies Abundant!”

After a bit of a cold snap last weekend, the weather is back to near perfect here in South Holland, with temps in the 70s, clear skies, and a light breeze. Plus, the sun already doesn’t rise until almost 7am, so I even got to sleep in a bit this morning. Once again, the birdsContinue reading “A sunny September Saturday in South Holland”

I tried taking the route, which has been my regular route recently, in reverse order this morning, so counter-clockwise on a map. Thus, I hit the spot where we saw the robin late yesterday morning bright and early today, and our reward is a brand-new bird, for a change. This time, it’s a Eurasian jayContinue reading “Birds & bunnies & butterflies, oh my!”

It was nice and cool overnight with clear skies and calm winds, so most of the big fields were covered by thick blankets of fog this morning, and I couldn’t even see the water where I spotted the flock of spoonbills last weekend, so I had to make do, instead, with what I could findContinue reading “Late summer scenes…”

I still have some pictures left over from the weekend, so I thought I’d put them into a post, and I’m happy to report that I think we’ve got another new bird hiding in the mix. As ebird so aptly states, it’s “rather retiring, like most [old world] warblers,” but this sure sounds like theContinue reading “Leftovers from the weekend…”

I saw plenty of big birds this morning; herons, egrets, storks, and even about a dozen spoonbills at the Ackerdijkse Plassen; but they were all either too far away or just didn’t want to pose today. Luckily, these little characters were willing and able to pick up the slack. This first one is another greatContinue reading “Little Critter Day”