понеделник, 28 октомври 2013 г.

Morning birding in Sofia

The end of autumn shows lovely colors not just in the mountains but also in city parks. The nice sunshine today made me walk to work rather than driving. So I got my bins and started a bit earlier than usual. It was great. Just walking and looking at the tree tops was really pleasant. The birds were pretty active. Although there weren't many species it was still rather pleasant. Great Tit, Nuthatch, and Great Spotted Woodpecker were the few species I registered.

Sofia city park
Hope I will continue doing this and perhaps get more work for my company www.NatureMonitoring.com

Bear watching in Bulgaria, Belitsa

The past weekend was rather exciting. This time the trip was to an area where I have only driven through but never had the time to really wander around. The area is in between three of the major mountains in the country Rila, Pirin and Rhodopes. We visited friends of ours in a village called Belitsa.

Wildlife watching and trekking is super in the area too. The village of Belitsa is situated at the foot of Rila mountains. Thus the area presents superb opportunities for walking, trekking, photography or just leisure. You wake up and enjoy the nearly three thousand peaks of Pirin mouintains.

We arrived late on Friday evening. The plan for the next day was to do some trekking in Rila mountains. So we did. Since it was a weekend, we decided to make a walk rather than a serious hike. We left the house at about 12 and soon we were at our starting point in Semkovo resort. A place which people want to promote and convert into a ski resort. Quite a strange idea having in mind the slopes have southern orientation and the infrastructure there is not quite right. Moreover one of the biggest resorts in the country is just next door and this place doesn't even have basic grounds for comparison.

From Semkovo, we started our trip to Macedonia chalet. Lovely little place on the top of the mountain situated at about 2200 m above the sea level. This height presents opportunities for open view to the valley of Blagoevgrad. The area to the north of the chalet is quite wild with spots for Hazel Grouse and Brown Bears.
Landscape photography, Macedonia chalet
The trail to the chalet goes along a small river with a few small waterfalls. Right next to the chalet is one of the best biosphere reserves in the country called "Parangalitsa". The reserve has the biggest populations of the endemic plant called Primula deorum. Unfortunately some poachers were cutting the trees in the National Park. The most ridiculous thing is that a guard from the Park Administration was at the place.

Waterfall photography in Bulgaria
Waterfall photography in Bulgaria
Loads of Nutcrackers everywhere along the way. Apparently the juveniles are quite noise but pretty shy to stay for a nice shot. A few Crested Tit, Siskin and a single Black Redstart. I was aiming for a Pygmy Owl but were not successful.

On the Sunday we went to a sanctuary for bears. The place become known for its funding from the well known Brigitte Bardot and its international charity foundation "Four paws". The bears are just so fantastic. I wish I see them more often in their wild environment. Most of the animals were not feeling well but a few of them had pretty glossy fur. They seem to be getting ready for winter.
Bear watching in Bulgaria
Bear watching in Bulgaria
All of these sightings and landscapes were along the autumn colors of old growth beach forest. It really is a place to be.

I did this trip as a part of the activities of my company. See more information about its acitivities on my website here: www.NatureMonitoring.com See more of my photos in the gallery here.

понеделник, 21 октомври 2013 г.

Weekend walk in Plana, Sofia, Bulgaria

Weather in the last couple of days stays still warm before the coming winter. This made me go out for a walk to a village not far from our capital Sofia. Didn't quite know where to go. What I knew was that I want to explore new areas I hadn't visited before. A few arrangements and here we are on the road to the Eastern Part of Vitosha mountain just next to Sofia.

Lovely autumn colors. Even managed to do some birding in an area with conifer trees. The highlights were Black Woodpecker, Crossbill, Nutcracker, Crested Tit, Marsh Tit, Woodlark and that's about it. But it was great. A lovely and relaxed Sunday. On the way back to the car we had a great end of the day with this marvelous sunsets over the landscape. Hope I have managed to show at least a fraction of the beautiful scene.

landscape photography in Bulgaria

landscape photography in Bulgaria

landscape photography in Bulgaria


вторник, 15 октомври 2013 г.

Autumn in Eastern Rhodopes in Bulgaria

The past weekend was a marvelous autumn experience for landscape photography ... Enjoy.

On Friday afternoon we made our way to the Eastern Rhodopes to establish a bird photography hide. We arrived late in the afternoon and met some friends who suggested there is carrion in front of one of the vulture feeding sites and place for photographing them. Excitement took over and we quickly made the arrangement to go into the hide. Recent news suggested there was opportunity to photograph wild wolves so I didn't want to miss this chance. After a few drinks with our friends we decided to go into the hide during the night and spend it there. This is expected to increase our chances for photographing wolves and vultures.

We arrived shortly after 1.00 am and a pack of not wolves but dogs met us at the site. We entered in full excitement and quickly went to bed. The cozy bunks and our sleeping bags made the night quite warm and pleasant. We woke up at about 6,30. It was still pretty dark but a fox was feeding on the carcass. What a place. It would be great if it stays until its bright sun. Unfortunately it disappeared with the coming sunlight. A raven turned up presenting nice opportunities for some art photography shots. Here it is:

Raven photography in Bulgaria
Raven photography in Bulgaria
After a few hours in the hide we ended up with nothing but this raven. We observed about 25 species but no photos. Amongst the birds observed are a young Goshawk chasing the birds around, a young and an adult Golden Eagle which we wanted to land but no luck, also Cirl Bunting, Wood Lark, Peregrine Falcon, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, etc.

The sun broke through the mist and wonderful landscapes tempted us to leave and spend our time for landscape photography. Here are some of the results:



landscape photography in Bulgaria

landscape photography in Bulgaria

landscape photography in Bulgaria

landscape photography in Bulgaria

landscape photography in Bulgaria

landscape photography in Bulgaria

landscape photography in Bulgaria

We had wonderful time in photographing the autumn landscapes of Eastern Rhodopes. Totally recommended to everyone who wishes to do it.