Not a Murmur

Driving from Basel to Freiburg yesterday evening, we passed a 'Murmuration' of Starlings. (which you will see, if the video is playable).

Winter Wonder Basel-Landschaft

First walk of the year - the 'Mighty Oaks' of Wildenstein. There are two species of oaks here: Quercus robur, which has its acorns on a stalk - thus the name Stiel (stalk) Eich; and Q. petraea, in which the acorns are clustered together without a stalk - thus the name Traube (grape) Eich. Q. robur is common throughout Europe, whereas Q. petraea prefers upland acidic habitats.

2017: Staring beyond the Niesen

Much captured with my camera and pencils in 2016. From now on I stare beyond the Niesen. Hope you can join me.

Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) - Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue, France

Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) - Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue, France

Spotted Redshank (Tringa erythropus) - Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue, France

Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) - Iceland

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus) - Iceland

Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) - Iceland

Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) - Iceland

Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) - Iceland

Eider (Somateria mollissima) - Iceland

Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) Basel, Switzerland

Corn Bunting (Emberiza calandra) - Nationalpark Unteres Odertal, Germany

White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) - Nationalpark Unteres Odertal, Germany

Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis) - Müritz-Nationalpark, Germany

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) - Müritz-Nationalpark, Germany

Crane (Grus grus) - Müritz-Nationalpark, Germany

Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) - Rügen, Germany

Views from my terrace

Lone winter tree, Basel-Landschaft

Sailing around Corfu

Eiche food stall in Marktplatz, Basel

Schifflände, Basel

Reichstag Building, Berlin

Place Rossetti, Nice