Bird photography can be construed as branches on a tree – there are shots that are great because of the situation, or the species shown, and there are nice shots where everything comes together in an aesthetic sense. This one sits on that latter branch, with the uniformly creamy background.

I guess all nature photographers living in four-season climates share the excitement of the spring; for the bird photographer, new subjects are flying in every day/night, and they are all in their finest livery and doing all sorts of exciting things, be it with mates, competitors or otherwise. For my own part I have been looking forward to this for months, and now that spring is here I want to get the most out of it, even if my work schedule doesn’t really allow it.

So on Monday afternoon I got into the little car and drove across to the West coast of Jutland, to see if I could find an accommodating Bluethroat, perhaps some Dotterels, and whatever else kind enough to present itself. I only had time to spend one night away from my desk, but as it turned out I got plenty of opportunity to point my big lens at unsuspecting little feathered critters.

The gallery below comprises the nicest images which I brought home, and I’m well pleased with my trip. I was hoping to have some even prettier Bluethroat images to show, but the Redshank and the Heron make up for that – these two really made the trip memorable. Remember to click on the first image to open up the gallery in large size, as usual consider hitting f11 to get the full-screen experience, and thanks for joining me on the trip!

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Insectivores have two rows of “teeth” down the centre of their upper mandible, to help grab hold of their prey. Evolution always seems impossibly “clever” until you factor in time – with enough time, there’s no need for miracles or supreme beings steering the show.

I kept trying to get some shots with a nice brown background, but the Bluethroat was having none of it. Pretty bird all the same.

Why is the heron looking so excited?

Because there are fighter planes incoming…

But he stands his ground, although his excitement is evident from the degree of neck-plume inflation.

Just another pretty bird shot.

This is a classic shorebird shot, and probably one that exists in a million versions already – but I like it all the same.

This one, on the other hand, is a little different. I have kept it precisely for that reason, and because the bird behind the tussock is pin-sharp.

Here, the grass that seems to radiate from the bird’s head makes the shot. Black-tailed goodwit is a fairly unusual bird in Denmark but this particular location still has a few breeding pairs.

“…you stand still now…” The Redshank doing a little balancing act.

Note the water droplet seen between the male’s bill tips.

It is a balancing act.

Finally, the moment of truth for the continuation of this particular heritage line…