A Fast Bird

I've always wanted to capture a swallow in flight but that takes some doing as they are very fast indeed. So this is my best result so far. I hope to get something better in the future than this barn swallow that where chasing insects.

Spread Those Wings

Spring is the time for the young seagulls to spread their wings and just fly.

Hovering

The hooded seagull here was hovering over the water trying to catch some lunch.

Eggs in the Nest

The great crested grebes from yesterday have already been busy; the egg (or maybe eggs) is already in the nest and should be hatching soon. 

Shaking

The great crested grebes here enjoyed the nice spring weather in Copenhagen as they fished for their breakfast.

The Wild Duck Chase

The beginning of the wild duck chase from yesterday was here; trouble was brewing in the local duck pond as the mallards were trying to see who was the strongest and best. It is springtime after all...

Low Flying

I know, this photo is blurry and out of focus, but I like it anyway, mainly because of the surprise when I saw it on the screen and realized I'd captured just the right wings of the three mallards. I'd been out shooting in the local park when I saw these three ducks chase each other all over so I started panning and shooting, getting quite a few photos of trees, bushes and the occasional duck in flight. The result was nowhere near what 'd hoped, except for this one.

Yippi!

Another pic of white wagtails, this one during their courtship. These ones I saw in Valbyparken almost dancing around eachother

A Fast Duckling

The first of the ducklings has already been hatched and they are out discovering the new dangerous world. This one had been adventuring a bit too much so Mother Duck was out of sight, and then the scary photographer came. Needless to say the family was soon reunited.

Don't Look at the Sun

It's often said that you shouldn't photograph the sun without some very dark filters on as it can damage both sensor and eye, but I nevertheless do it from time to time as I think it can add some heat to the feel of the pic. This one from Tivoli in Copenhagen was one of those times where I think adding the sun in the frame made for a better photo than with just the tulips. I was quick about it though.

A weed

Considered a weed by most people, a field of blooming dandelions is a pretty sight nonetheless. I caught these ones at my local park where the gardeners obviously either hadn't had the time to root them out or they decided that they didn't do any harm here. In Danish they are called mælkebøtter (lit. milk buckets) or løvetand (lion's tooth).

Not the Swan Lake

This swan couple has decided to nest at one of the busiest tourist places in Copenhagen; just off Langelinje with the Little Mermaid and right next to the Gefion Fountain. I guess they're not concerned about the throngs of camera touting people passing by while they're nesting.

Diving Again

A few days ago I showed you one hooded seagull taking a dive and here's another. I'd like to try to get them as they hit the water, but I haven't quite got the timing right yet.

Landing

Yesterday's hooded crow decided to land on the stones lining the coast at Valbyparken.

Hooded Crow

The hooded crow came low flying over the water off Valbyparken in Copenhagen. They are the true rulers of the parks around here as they bully birds, dogs and people alike when they feel they get too close.

Going In

This hooded seagull was not fishing but diving for seaweed. Or maybe it mistook the string of greenery it came up with for a fish.

Only When Flying

I've made a decision for this season; I'll try to only get photos of birds when they are in motion. Yes, I know that might be a challenge but that's the whole idea. From time to time I need to be challenged when out with the camera so as not to get too complacent in my approach. This photo I took right after the obligatory one of the great tit sitting ready to get a nice clean portrait shot on its branch in Valbyparken in Copenhagen. And I actually like this one the most, even though the bird is a bit blurry.

Kestrel vs. Seagull

The surprise I mentioned yesterday was this sight; the kestrel being chased by an angry hooded seagull. Wisely the smaller kestrel chose the withdraw at high speed. Later it was the rooks that didn't like the predator's company, but that I didn't get any decent pics of.

The Kestrel is Back

As I've told before I live right next door to a couple of kestrels, even though I live in Copenhagen. These kestrels have made their home and hunting ground at an area called Tipperne, an old city dump turned green area. Often when going for a walk there I'm greeted by this sight; the female kestrel mousing over the area. That was the case last week, but I was in for a surprise. Tomorrow I'll show you that not all the locals where thrilled about this predator.

Tulips Should Be Red

 

In Tivoli the gardeners have made sure that there'll be flowers blooming in the whole season, so that the guests are not disappointed when visiting the gardens.

Blue Again

Another example of the use of the clear blue spring sky as a background for the flowers. It's no wonder Tivoli is a popular place to go even for people that don't like amusement parks, as there's so much more than just the rides.

Red and Blue

 

When photographing flowers I like to get the sky as a background so that the colours of the flower stands out. This one is also from the Tivoli in Copenhagen.

A Sea of Sunshine

I love the way the sun shines through the tulips on this photo from Tivoli in Copenhagen. With the colours here it really seems like a sea of sunshine.

Some of the flowers in Tivoli are strange to me, but then I'm no expert in botany. Taken from this low angle it almost look like a palm tree even though it's only 30 cm's high.

A Litter of Goslings

The geese have been productive already. Here Mother Goose watches over her litter of goslings on the ramparts of the Copenhagen Citadel.

Water Again

The fountains in Copenhagen has been dry all winter to prevent frost damage. A sure sign of spring is when they start sprouting water again. This is from the fountain in Amaliehaven right next to the Royal Residence of Amalienborg.

Busy Bumble Bees

Spring is a busy time for the bumble bees. This one was buzzing around in the Botanical Gardens in Copenhagen trying to get to the pollen.

Buds

The colourful buds here from the Botanical Garden in Copenhagen have discovered that spring has come.

Four

The Botanical Garden in Copenhagen is a haven for macro photography at the moment as everything is in spring mood.

A Coming of Birds

Spring is also a busy time for the birds. This white wagtail and its mate was all over my fathers lawn looking for food. And it didn't mind me shooting away with the camera from a few meters distance.

A Horse of Flowers

The Faculty of Life Sciences at Copenhagen University has got a beautiful garden on Frederiksberg. And with spring setting in it's a really nice place. And they even do their own patterns out of flowers like this horse in a ring.