Disturbing the Peace Yet again an intruder disturbs the peace of the Cronesteyn stork nest. The male half of the couple, who had been quietly brooding, angrily fended off the intruder. In this case we know precisely who this offender is, he/she is 5E743 according to the leg ring. If he repeats his offensive behavior, I may feel compelled to report him. Just need to figure out where…(btw, neither partner of the nest couple is ringed.) #storkflight #storkbehavior #nestingseason #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #ourfotoworld #stork
Cutting it Close Impressive how birds avoid midair collisions despite coming very close sometimes. #stork #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #seagull #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #ourfotoworld #birdbehavior #birdflight
Ground Dwellers While standing or sitting around waiting for the storks to do something interesting, I sometimes get observed myself. #hare #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #ourfotoworld
Ghostly Appearance Over exposed and blurred, a spoonbill in flight makes an otherworldly impression. #overexposure #spoonbill #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #ourfotoworld #cronesteynpark #cronesteyn #audubonsociety #birdflight
Heron Up Close Once again, I was able to observe a heron up close. #heron #audubonsociety #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #ourfotoworld
Red Eye Spoonbills have sharp red eyes but they still look sweet. #spoonbill #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #audubonsociety #ourfotoworld
Another Short Flight A spoonbill takes a short flight to the next tree over. @vroegevogels_bnnvara #spoonbill #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #audubonsociety #vroegevogels #ourfotoworld
Spoonbill in Short Flight - A spoonbill takes a short flight to the next tree over. @vroegevogels_bnnvara #spoonbill #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #audubonsociety #ourfotoworld
A Heron’s Feathers Not all feathers are created equal. A heron sports a variety of feathers. #blueheron #audubonsociety #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #ourfotoworld #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #heron #birdbehavior
Wie wat waar wilg (excursie naar de grienden) Cronesteyn – Leiden 12/5/24 Op zondag 12 mei gaan we op zoek naar de geheimen van de (knot) wilg en de Nederlandse grienden. Om 14 uur verzamelen we in Polderpark Cronesteyn bij Polderoase “de Tuin van de Smid”. Grienden zijn wilgenakkers langs de Hollandse rivieren, waar wilgen werden gekweekt om de takken – dik en dun -te oogsten in de winter. Die takken werden – en worden nog – gebruikt voor het maken van manden, schermen en zinkstukken en nog veel meer. In het park staan diverse wilgenakkertjes. Maar ook gaan we langs onze oer-Hollandse knotwilgen. Wat groeit daar allemaal op en in? Een knotwilg is een wereld op zich! Kom en verbaas je! Foto: Wilg in Cronesteyn – Bep van Houten Wanneer zondag 12 mei 2024 14:00 tot 16:00 Waar Cronesteyn, Leiden Polderpad 8, bij Theehuis Tuin van de Smid 2322 LB Leiden Kosten: Gratis Aanmelden verplicht: Nee IVN #Leidseregio 🍀 🦋 verwondering 🍂 bewondering 🌊 natuurbeleving 🌿 activiteiten 🐦 excursies 🐝 naar buiten 🌳 voor jong & oud! 🌷 in 1️⃣1️⃣ gemeenten: #Hillegom, #Katwijk, #Leiden, #Leiderdorp, #Lisse, #Noordwijk, #Oegstgeest, #Teylingen, #Voorschoten, #Wassenaar & #Zoeterwoude 🦀 zie voor informatie en natuuractiviteiten ivn.nl/leidseregio 🪱 #Cronesteyn
De daslook bloeit! Hoe sprookjesachtig ziet het er uit langs de paden. #daslook #fairytail #forest #wildgarlic #cronesteyn #polderpark #favv_flowers #heelnederland_fotografeert #ignaturemagic #forestphotography #wandelenindenatuur #tree_brilliance #bosfotografie #hollandinbeeld #ig_discover_holland #dutch_connextion #ignature_magic #holland_photolovers
Upside Down Reflection The stork couple in Cronesteyn is busy brooding. Often there is not much activity to witness as a stork will sit low in the nest and barely be seen. However if a person’s timing is lucky, they will see the partner arrive and take over the brooding. Some clattering will be exchanged and off flies the partner that has just been relieved from brooding duty. Here we see the male partner sticking around a bit longer. But this is the reflection of the nest in the water turned on its head, just to make things a bit less dull during this long tedious brooding process. #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #brooding #breedingseason #nestingseason #storkbehavior #stork #birdbehavior #audubonsociety #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #ourfotoworld
Wie is er al op kraamvisite geweest bij de #Lepelaars in #Cronesteyn? 📷 Madelene van den Berg IVN #Leidseregio 🍀 🦋 verwondering 🍂 bewondering 🌊 natuurbeleving 🌿 activiteiten 🐦 excursies 🐝 naar buiten 🌳 voor jong & oud! 🌷 in 1️⃣1️⃣ gemeenten: #Hillegom, #Katwijk, #Leiden, #Leiderdorp, #Lisse, #Noordwijk, #Oegstgeest, #Teylingen, #Voorschoten, #Wassenaar & #Zoeterwoude 🦀 zie voor informatie en natuuractiviteiten ivn.nl/leidseregio 🪱
Cronesteyn,dagelijkse routine/daily routine,story board #zwartwittekening #blackwhite #cronesteyn #storyboard
Back and Front This small guy obligingly turned for the camera giving us a good view of it’s colorful front and back. Kingfisher’s stand out in a green environment but in my experience they rarely stand still for long when people cross their path. #kingfisher #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #audubonsociety #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #ourfotoworld
Unusual Angle A stork was being pursued by an angry crow in the vicinity of the Cronesteyn stork couple nest. The stork in this picture is an interloper, he (she?) had arrived about the same time as the male of the Cronesteyn couple was returning to the nest to take over brooding duties. Perhaps a drinking buddy following his mate home? And why was the crow chasing him(her?) away? So much unexplained drama. #storkflight #stork #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #ourfotoworld #cronesteynpark #cronesteyn #audubonsociety
Lepelaars. Reigersbos / Park Cronesteijn #lepelaar #vogelsinnederland #vogelsindenatuur #cronesteyn #tamron100400mm #lepelaars #wildevogels #wildevogelsinnederland
Honingbij, druk met t verzamelen van stuifmeel #parkcronesteyn #cronesteyn #tamron100400mm #bijensoorten #honingbij #bijentelling #bijensoort
Not Just Storks During the breeding season, Cronesteyn is home to not just storks. Coots can be spotted here all year round but in this season, their nests pop up in the middle of the water. Some spots more secluded than others. #coot #birdbehavior #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #ourfotoworld #audubonsociety #reflection
Coming and Going Now the Cronesteyn couple is brooding an egg, observing can become a bit boring. One partner just sits on the nest, usually only a sliver of white visible above the nest’s edge, while the other is gone hours on end. If a person is lucky or very patient, they get to see the changing of the guard, that is to say, the return of the absent partner who then takes over brooding duty. This often is punctuated with clatter, grooming or fussing about the nest’s architecture. It is often a long wait for a few seconds of activity but to see these birds take off or land, their wings spread wide, is worth it. #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #ourfotoworld #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #birdbehavior #storkbehavior #audubonsociety
Loud Communication It seems that storks clatter for an assortment of purposes. Sometimes it is a greeting when one returns to the nest, at times it seems to be a brief expression of satisfaction, often it is an angry warning to other storks to stay away. On this occasion the female had suddenly returned to the nest following a brief altercation with a crow. The couple clattered loudly , perhaps to send the message they would put up a united front if the crow harassed them again. They did not adopt the angry position in which they hold their wings out but folded to make themselves look big, a position I have seen them take when confronted with an intruding stork. They did however throw their heads back. Such drama queens. Gotta love em. #storkbehavior #stork #birdbehavior #netherlands #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #outfotoworld
Angle Matters The same heron from looking downright bizarre face on to ravishingly elegant from profile. Herons would do well to always show off their profile first. #birdportrait #birdbehavior #blueheron #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #ourfotoworld #audubonsociety #cronesteynpark #cronesteyn
Angle Clearly Matters The same heron from looking downright bizarre face on to sleek and elegant from profile. Herons would do well to always show off their profile first. #birdportrait #birdbehavior #blueheron #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #ourfotoworld #audubon society #cronesteynpark #cronesteyn
Daslook in Cronesteyn. #cronesteyn #daslook #lente #natuur
Another Close Fly-over This time a blue heron flew over rather close. Made me happy I was not a mouse. #heron #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #birdflight #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #ourfotoworld
Close Today, the female of the Cronesteyn stork pair flew over me closer than I expected. Should I feel honored or threatened? She seemed to fly by in peace. #stork #birdbehavior #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #ourfotoworld #flight #storkflight
Bloeiende daslook in Cronesteyn Leiden #naturephotografie #nature #bloemen #flowers #daslook #bloei #cronesteyn #
Swan Moves A swan’s neck is one of those wonders of nature. As a teenager I used to doodle swans in my highschool note books. Where I grew up, you would never meet an actual swan. Little did I realise the crazy curved necks I drew were not far from the truth. In these two images a swan has bent its neck to have a sip of water. #swan #netherlands #birdbehavior #cronesteynpark #cronesteyn #ourfotoworld #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer
Zo leuk al die madeliefjes 😃 #madeliefjes #bloemen #wildebloemen #wildflowers #buiten #buitenleven #cronesteyn #natuurliefhebber #naturephotography #natuur #flowers #picoftheday #lentebloemen #spring
Hare Hiding The hares were running after each other maniacally in the Cronesteyn grass fields. At some point this individual seemed to have had enough of the mad-capped antics and nestled down in some taller grass as if to hide from his rowdy friends. #hare #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #harebehavior #ourfotoworld #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #
Wat is het toch mooi in #Cronesteyn #zondag #wildplukwandeling
Swan Bathing This swan chose to take a bath right in front of me as I sat in the grass observing the storks. Some birds will do anything to get their picture taken. #swan #birdbehavior #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #ourfotoworld #yourshotphotographer #natgeoyourshot
Spying on Lovebirds The storks in Cronesteyn had to cope with strong winds today. As did this photographer. I was leaving when suddenly a third stork caused a commotion, and I turned back but had not time to clear to clear the trees. #storks #storkbehavior #birdbehavior #birdsofthenetherlands #audubonsociety #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #ourfotoworld
20 Minutes Later As mentioned in the earlier post, I had worried that the Cronesteyn couple was not getting along well enough. I had seen the female shrug the male off on a few occasions, the slightest shrug discouraging the male immediately. However, yesterday right on the same schedule of the past few years, that is, in the first days of April, they got to the business of starting a family and mated twice within half an hour. It is looking promising. The sky has changed color because clouds were passing through. #storks #storkbehavior #birdbehavior #birdsofthenetherlands #audubonsociety #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #ourfotoworld
Receptive at Last I was beginning to worry that the Cronesteyn couple was not getting along well enough. I had seen the female shrug the male off on a few occasions, the slightest shrug discouraging the male immediately. However, yesterday right on the same schedule of the past few years, that is, in the first days of April, they got to the business of starting a family and mated twice within half an hour. It is looking promising. #storks #storkbehavior #birdbehavior #birdsofthenetherlands #audubonsociety #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #ourfotoworld
Building Materials The stork couple in Cronesteyn has started customizing the nest to suit their needs. The serious business of assuring offspring has begun. #storks #storkbehavior #birdbehavior #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #audubonsociety #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #ourfotoworld
Spoonbill DYI A spoonbill carries a very large branch back to its nest in Cronesteyn. #cronesteynpark #cronesteyn #spoonbill #nestingseason #breedingseason #yourshotphotographer #natgeoyourshot #ourfotoworld #birdbehavior #birdsofthenetherlands
Homecoming The female returns to the nest presumably after foraging and is greeted enthusiastically by her partner. They both clatter loudly, throwing their heads far back. I wish I knew the purpose of this delightful ritual, but just imagine getting that sort of welcome home from work every day! #storkbehavior #storks #birdbehavior #nestingseason #breedingseason #yourshotphotographer #ourfotoworld #natgeoyourshot #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark
Wingspan From this level and angle you get a better idea of just how broad a stork’s wings are. #stork #netherlands🇳🇱 #birdsofthenetherlands #ourfotoworld #audubonsociety #yourshotphotographer #natgeoyourshot #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark
Grub Hunt The stork couple flew off the nest but instead of crossing the highway, going much further afield, they landed nearby in an area of Cronesteyn where I don’t usually see them. They walked through this soggier terrain searching for grubs and worms. I was able to sit on the small pedestrian bridge observing them from a shorter distance than usual without them feeling disturbed. #birdbehavior #storks #birdsofthenetherlands #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #ourfotoworld #yourshotphotographer #natgeoyourshot
What Spring Feels Like #storkinflight #stork #cronesteynpark #cronesteyn #spring #audubonsociety #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #ourfotoworld
#wandelen #pasen #cronesteyn #natuur
Every Green Spot Counts Cronesteyn park is a green area sandwiched between Leiden and a highway linking Amsterdam with the Hague. It isn’t very big, one can walk the whole perimeter in less than half an hour. But it matters a great deal to many birds. One stork pair a year, a dozen spoonbill pairs, too many blue herons to count, gray geese, Canada geese, Nile geese, coots, grebes, swans, ducks, at least one pair of kingfishers, songbirds, pheasants and more. Also hares and foxes, voles and moles. Many years ago when I used to jog around the perimeter I thought it a dull uninspiring place and no doubt there already was more to see than I realised but steps were taken that made it more welcoming to fauna. Every green space matters. For us people it has become a place to walk, run, slow down and observe. This image shows that right beyond the edge of the park, cars go by to reach the highway, yet this place is a home to so many wild animals. #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #stork #yourshotphotographer #natgeoyourshot #ourfotoworld
Broken Blue Egg A broken egg lay at the water’s edge in Cronesteyn. What happened, whose baby was it, how did it get there? #yourshotphotographer #natgeoyourshot #ourfotoworld #blueegg #cronesteynpark #cronesteyn
Kingfisher in Cronesteyn Someone had told me there were kingfishers in the park. In the past two years I had only seen one zoom by as I stood watching the stork nest. Finally I spotted one perched in a lovely location, albeit a bit distant. It flew away very quickly, leaving me to wonder, how do some other people here get such great pics of these elusive and shy birds? #kingfisher #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #yourshotphotographer #natgeoyourshot #ourfotoworld #reflection #audubonsociety
Spoonbill Iconography In this image we see almost everything I love about spoonbills. Its heavenly wings, its blinding white feathers, its distinctive beak shape, along with the yellow tip, the way it carefully makes its way across swaying branches trying not to tumble off. The only thing missing is its crest. In this shot it is laid flat on its head. Oh well, one picture can never tell the whole story. #spoonbill #audubonsociety #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #birdsofthenetherlands #cronesteynpark #cronesteyn
Spoonbill Take-offs The spoonbills in Cronesteyn are nesting in a densely treed area. Branches inevitably get in the way of clear pictures. It is always a pleasure to catch a glimpse of the spoonbills taking off, while catching the action on camera is an extra reward for patience. #Spoonbill #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #ourfotoworld #birdsofthenetherlands #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #audubonsociety
Stork in the Rain Back in Leiden, of course I went to see my feathered friends in Cronesteyn, even though it rained. The stork couple was in the field foraging for grubs and worms. When the sun came through again, the rain had still not stopped. The camera auto focus got confused. The last image in this post is an example of that. #stork #cronesteynpark #cronesteyn #ourfotoworld #yourshotphotographer #natgeoyourshot #audubonsociety #birdsofthenetherlands #StorkDay
Stork Wading As far as I know storks don’t usually go wading. But I suppose they do go where there is food to be found. Taken on a day that the stork couple in Cronesteyn seemed to be quarreling, one of the pair flew off the nest to poke around at the water’s edge. #stork #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #ourfotoworld #birdsofinstagram #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #audubonsociety
Upside down..... . . . #eenden #duck #watervogels #featherperfection #natuurbeleving #buitenleven #zuidholland #zoomnl #natuurmonumenten #sonyrxmoments #sonyrx10m4 #cronesteyn
Crazy Town At sunset, things got violent in Cronesteyn. A third stork intruded upon the couple and an epic battle ensued. The intruder came back again and again and was injured at some point as blood can be seen on its left wing. I believe two males and a female were battling but as none of these storks are ringed it is hard to know for sure. If it was an extra male, did he want the nest only or did he want the nest and the female? Eventually the intruder left but the couple was clearly nervous for a long time afterwards. #birdbehavior #audubon #birdsofthenetherlands #ourfotoworld #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #cronesteynpark #cronesteyn #storks #storkbehavior #breedingseason
A Gift Yesterday, it looked like there was a bit of an argument between the Cronesteyn nest partners. The female (I believe it was the female) arrived back at the nest a few seconds before her partner and seemed to chase him away. At first I concluded it was not her partner but when he came back with some hay she was happy to let him back on the nest albeit for only a brief moment. #birdflight #storks #breedingseason #audubonsociety #birdsofthenetherlands #ourfotoworld #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #birdbehavior #cronesteynpark #cronesteyn
Peace Offering? Yesterday, it looked like there was a bit of an argument between the Cronesteyn nest partners. The female (I believe it was the female) arrived back at the nest a few seconds before her partner and seemed to chase him away. At first I concluded it could not be her partner but when he came back with some hay, she was happy to let him back on the nest, albeit for only a brief moment. #storks #breedingseason #audubonsociety #birdsofthenetherlands #ourfotoworld #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #birdbehavior #cronesteynpark #cronesteyn
Squabble? Yesterday, it looked like there was a bit of an argument between the Cronesteyn nest partners. The female (I believe it was the female) arrived back at the nest a few seconds before her partner and seemed to chase him away. At first I concluded it was her partner but when he came back with some hay she was happy to let him back on the nest albeit for only a brief moment. #storks #breedingseason #audubonsociety #birdsofthenetherlands #ourfotoworld #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #birdbehavior #cronesteynpark #cronesteyn
Vanaf de maand april tot juni groeit en bloeit de plant daslook weer volop. Prachtig om te zien in bijvoorbeeld park Cronesteyn (foto's), maar ook in de Leidse Hout is de plant te vinden. #Leiden #Leideninside #daslook #Cronesteyn
Models Presumably the grass was greener where I sat observing the storks in Cronesteyn because as I turned to leave I was startled to see this pair of wild swans, not 3 meters away. They had me boxed in, water on two sides and impenetrable bushes on the third. They went about chomping on grass as if they were accustomed to sharing grass with humans. Once in a while assuming striking poses. It was a bit difficult to fit them both in the frame as they were so close to me. #swansofinstagram #swans #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #ourfotoworld #audubonsociety #birdsofthenetherlands
Grebe Again While observing the storks and waiting for them to do something out of the ordinary, I am often distracted by the other birds making their home in Cronesteyn. I believe this grebe is part of a pair that has made its nest close to where I stand, but out of sight. They are such excellent swimmers, it makes a human envious. #grebe #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #ourfotoworld #audubonsociety #birdsofthenetherlands
White Flurries As mentioned earlier, the spoonbills are sometimes hard to see among the ivy leaves. The trees in this part of Cronesteyn park have been invaded by climbing ivy, which is perhaps the reason the spoonbills have come to like the place. The leaves provide shelter at a time when the trees are themselves are still bare. Around five or six years ago, spoonbills made a surprise appearance in the park and there were perhaps no more than 3 nests. Every year the number of nests has grown, this year there seem to be at least 8 nesting pairs. Park regulars ( the human sort) are always glad to seem them arrive in the spring. #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #leiden #urbanwildlife #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #ourfotoworld #audubonsociety #birdsofthenetherlands #spoonbill
Fabulous A spoonbill in Cronesteyn preens on its nest while the sun goes down. The light seemed perfect. Yesterday I counted at least 16 spoonbills in among the branches and ivy. There may have been more. Most were hard to see through the tangled branches but this individual had chosen a very good spot to show off his beautiful crest. #spoonbill #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #leiden #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #ourfotoworld #audubonsociety
Silent Scream A grebe suddenly opened its beak very wide yet produced no noise I could hear. A curious behavior that afforded a good view of its tongue. #grebe #birdsofthenetherlands #cronesteynpark #cronesteyn #ourfotoworld #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer
Vandaag is er hard gewerkt tijdens de workshop 'Aziatische hoornaar vallen maken'. De meeste deelnemers gingen met meer dan één val de deur uit, in de hoop de uitbreiding van deze optrekkende exoot tegen te gaan. #aziatische hoornaar #bestrijding #imkers #imkers vereniging leiden #Cronesteyn #workshop #bijen #kasten
Perfect Pose The male stork has just stepped down from his partner’s back. She subtly indicated that she is not ready yet to mate and being a perfect gentleman, he got the message. It is early in the season and perhaps too cold for her to be fertile. #stork #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #birdsofthenetherlands #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #birdbehavior #breedingseason #ourfotoworld #audubonsociety
Er wordt hard gewerkt door de lepelaars en reigers aan de nesten hoog in de bomen #lepelaar #vogelsvaninstagram #vogels #lente #reiger #cronesteyn #nest
Establishing Property The newly settled stork couple in Cronesteyn warns off other storks by loudly clattering, throwing their heads backs and posturing aggressively. This is their spot and other storks are simply not welcome during the breeding season. #nest #breedingseason #stork #cronesteynpark #cronesteyn #ourfotoworld #yourshotphotographer #natgeoyourshot #stork #birdsofthenetherlands
Just Moved In A nice looking stork couple has claimed the nest in Cronesteyn and already they are starting to make it their home by adding branches. Of course we are wishing them a successful breeding season. #stork #breedingseason #birdsofthenetherlands #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #ourfotoworld #cronesteynpark #cronesteyn
Nest Squabbles It is not yet clear which stork has rights to the nest platform . Today, four storks were in the field surrounding the platform while one occupied the nest. That stork did not tolerate any other stork approaching. None of the storks were ringed so it will be difficult to know if tomorrow’s occupant is the same individual as today’s. For now, regular squabbling to be witnessed. #storksnest #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #ourfotoworld #netherlands #birdsofthenetherlands
A New Platform Last year the man-made platform for the stork nest in Cronesteyn collapsed and slid part way down the pole. The enterprising storks simply piled on many more branches and eventually successfully raised a chick to maturity. In the fall a new pole and platform were erected topped with a neatly woven basket. The storks have already rediscovered the site and no doubt they will soon be customizing the site to suit their needs. #Stork #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #ourfotoworld #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #birdsofthenetherlands #netherlands #leiden
Look Who’s Back The spoonbills have returned to Cronesteyn shockingly early this year. The weather is unseasonably warm, spring flowers are sprouting up and the herons and spoonbills are already establishing their nests. We have to hope there will be no cold snap. #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #spoonbill #birdflight #breedingseason #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #ourfotoworld #birdsofthenetherlands #earlyspring #spring
Hurried Flight The herons in Cronesteyn park are hard at work preparing their nests for breeding season. They go about their frantic business hardly noticing how close they fly by us awestruck spectators. We are of very little interest to them at the moment, there is too much work to be done. This individual is headed back to its treetop nest with a tiny bit of something. #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #heron #blueheron #birdflight #breedingseason #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #ourfotoworld #birdsofthenetherlands #movement
Low Altitude flight The herons in Cronesteyn park are hard at work preparing their nests for breeding season. They go about their frantic business hardly noticing how close they fly by us awestruck spectators. We are of very little interest to them at the moment, there is too much work to be done. This individual has just found a good stick and has taken off from near the water’s edge to ascend to its treetop nest. #cronesteyn #cronesteynpark #heron #blueheron #birdflight #breedingseason #natgeoyourshot #yourshotphotographer #ourfotoworld #birdsofthenetherlands