Amorous Rook

Its a time of year when Rooks re-inforce their bonding just before breeding season. Rooks are one of the first birds to breed in spring. This bird was preening its partner with care and attention  and she looked pleased.

American Coot

We arrived at Murlach Lough ,Ballyconeely early morning to find a rare American Coot. I started searching through the flooded fields to the west ,where after an hour I spotted the bird on the north end but it was elusive,after another hour I found it in a corner on the south near a few walls ,where we got some photos.
We also got to see the Green winged  Teal on the lough

Ring billed Gull on the slipway

A Ring billed Gull was among the Gulls at Nimmos pier in Galway , but no white winged gulls were here today, maybe we need a cold snap or a NW storm for them to come into harbour for winter.

Light bellied Brent Geese

A flock of Light bellied Brent Geese were in Ballyvaughan harbour on the high tide, the birds were so busy feeding they allowed us some close up views in a nice afternoon light.

Brown waves on the reefs

The sun comes out and  a nice swell breaks across the Lahinch reefs, enjoyed by a handful of local surfers.
The rusty brown waves are a result of river water that runs into both ends of Lahinch bay, there has been a lot of rain!

Happy New Year

Otter on the pier

An Otter was very active around Liscannor pier. At one point while thinking ahead and  getting into a position for a photo the Otter walked up the pier steps to me...had a look at me and went back down...it was then scared off by someone standing in the open above me trying to film it via a viewcam on an ipad while shouting...ill say no more.

Little Egret

A Little Egret searches for food in a flooded field

Dipper roosting

It was nearly dark when I spotted a Dipper roosting on the cascades .
With a 5 sec shutter speed in TV and 100iso , i grabbed a bit of available light and  try something new.

Cascades ,still ,cold

A late cold Deember evening. The air was still ,the river was in good flow , darkness approaches .

Icy and Glassy

Pure Glass on a n icy Irish mornning

On a Pond

On a pond that I visit when driving bye were juvenile Tufted Ducks , a few Coots and Little Grebes were around the edges of the pond  and a small flock of Redpoll were feeding on seed in the scrub nearby. A winter feeling

Black throated Divers

Rafts of Black throated Diver have arrived for winter in Galway bay . Not a bird that you photo close up, these birds tend to be 1/2 mile out on most occasions , but being new arrivals Id say they are checking out the fishing grounds , bringing them closer to shore. I got to see over 30 of these rare Divers off Gleninagh Pier , Ballyvaughan.