Stora Amundön a second try

I took the chance and went back to Stora Amundön after work yesterday.

I knew there should be some Eurasian Oystercatchers and that was what I had in mind for the afternoon.

The sun was up and as soon as I got there I could see the Oystercatchers flying around. Unfortunately I don´t have a lens to really get close, but at least I would give it a try.

There was a small tree to hide behind on the field overlooking the inlet, just 10 meters from water’s edge, where the Oystercatchers where flying and searching for food. I positioned me there and tried to get a couple of shots. I can´t say that I am pleased by any of them, but at least one is worth showing. They are fast and agile flyers so one really has to raise the shutter speed to be able to get anything except a motion blur.

Eurasian Oystercatcher at Stora Amundön — Eurasian Oystercatcher aerobatics

I stayed at the same place for an hour also taking photos of a Black-headed Gull actively seeking for food. It was fun seeing how it plunged into the water head first to catch food. It was successful a couple of times and I caught the moment to my delight.

Black-headed Gull at Stora Amundön — Black-headed Gull going in

One could also see a Common Shelduck couple, but they were really shy. I like the colors in the photo and there are nice reflections from the surroundings as they swim out from the inlet.

Common Shelduck at Stora Amundön — Common Shelduck

Just when I thought about leaving a man approached me and we started to talk. He gave me a tip about an Oystercatcher that was at the 1.st bay. I headed there hoping to catch a glimpse of it. Unfortunately for me the bird got scared by a couple walking past it just as I arrived, but luckily there where some Common Eider lying at water’s edge. I move closer and position myself so I could take some nice pictures of them. I sat there for maybe 20 minutes just listening to their call/grunts and felt totally relaxed when I headed back to the car to drive home.

A nice experience and I hope the weather permits me going back there the next couple of days. One could here bird song everywhere and I seem to enjoy the place now more than during summer when the place often gets crowded by people.

Enjoy the pictures…