Mikepércs: Starlings I.

A few days ago when I was walking in the forest I heard some soft chirp coming from somewhere deep. I looked round and discovered the source of the sound: a hole in a tree. So, that's my new project, I thought, I only have to find out what kind of bird's nestlings are there. Looking the place from farther I caught sight of the parents: they are starlings. On the next days I made a temporary hide and placed a landing branch in front of the hole. Today at dawn I'm waiting excitedly the upcoming events.

It has just lightened when the parents are coming, the female and the male take turns at feeding the nestlings:

Starling

Starling

Starling

Starling (male)

The parents often have to do some cleaning inside the hole as the youngs are not "house-trained" yet:

Starling

Starling (male)

Starling

Starling (male)

Starling (female)

Starling (female)

Starling (female)

There are many millers around so the parents carry a lot of them:

Starling

Starling (male)

Mikepércs: Evening macro

Today I discovered this flower at the edge of the forest nearby:

Mikepércs: Golden Oriole

At this time last year I was busy photographing at the pond. At the end of winter I still hoped for some water in the pond bed but when I paid a visit there in march I had to face the fact that only a small portion of the pond bed contains some water. Practically no birds. So, I looked in other direction and placed a small drinking pool in the forest. The birds started to use it, so I gave it a try today.

However the first bird appearing in front of my lens was not at the pool but on a locust bush nearby. 

I haven't photographed a golden oriole so close yet:

Golden Oriole (female)

Golden Oriole (female)

The first bird at the pool is a great tit. Then a hawfinch, ...:

Hawfinch (male)

... a chaffinch and a chiffchaff comes:

Chiffchaff

And essentially that was all for this morning.

Mikepércs: The Drawing Of The Sun

The result of an evening try on the meadow:

High Tatras: Winter Hike To The Chalet At Green Lake

I planned a one day trip to the High Tatras with my daughter today. On our way it seemed evident that we would have a nice weather.

We started our walk from the White Water parking place and soon we could enjoy the beautiful view of the Lomnic and the Kezmarsky peaks:

The several kilometers long trail goes on a light slope, mostly in forest up to the chalet at Green Lake. Towards the end of it we can see the peaks that surround the chalet:

It's getting soon overcast, these shots are taken at the chalet:
One can even walk across the frozen lake:

Low Tatras: Snowy Peaks

Longing for some snowy landscapes I decided to visit the slovakian mountains. I opted for the Low Tatras because of the weather conditions. I aimed the Dumbier peak as a maximum target. I drove until the Trangoska holiday resort at about 1130 meters high. From here I set off towards the Stefanika rest-house. I worried about the lack of snowshoes but eventually it's not needed as the 20-30 cm snow is well trod on the path that rises moderately first, but later is steeper. I can reach the rest-house at 1726 m without much difficulty. The wind blows thick clouds from the valley, so I can't enjoy the scene long, instead I go into the house and have a delicious goulash. Strenghening this way I start towards the Dumbier. The wind gets strong and the sky towards north-east clears up suddenly, so the High Tatras become visible as well:

High Tatras

High Tatras

High Tatras

High Tatras

In the other direction a cloud quilt has formed:

While photographing the time runs, so I give up the "peak attack" and turn back for I don't want to get home too late.
The valley is still full of clouds ...:

... but the clouds are gathering here as well:

I get back quite quickly, so I don't even need to use the headlight.

Bükk mountains: Tar-kő

Today I paid a visit to Tar-kő in Bükk mountains. I set off early coming from Répáshuta and at 9 o'clock I was already climbing. The first viewpoint was Három-kő. It was a nice scene, but I think one can get a more beautiful landscape when the forests are dressed in autumn colours. I took a 2,5 km walk from here to Tar-kő. The sky was overcast but only above the mountains. In the plain the sun was shining. So, I decided to wait the sunset then I took a few shots:

View from Tar-kő

View from Tar-kő

An "air passageway":

After sunset it's getting dark quickly, so I had to walk back mainly in darkness, with a lamp of course.

In The Zemplén Mountains Again

The meteorologists predicted some fog for today morning around Háromhuta, so I decided to drive to Újhuta yesterday evening to take advantage of the early morning haze. Getting there however the wildlife guardians stopped me and told me that I was not allowed to stay there for the rally would take place there next morning. So, I drove back to Háromhuta. Sleeping in the car and starting early in the morning towards Mlaka meadow still in darkness. The fog appears after climbing about 50 meters. At the Mlaka meadow I decide to visit the Sólyom-bérc. During my way I can hear a shrill whistle of a mouflon. I catch sight of it for a moment before it disappears in the fog. I can see nothing on the Sólyom-bérc because of the fog, so I set off towards Kerek-kő when the fog starts to disappear:

During my way I can see some fog only in the valley:

Last time on the Kerek-kő the light conditions were quite bad, this time it's better:

View From The Kerek-kő

View From The Kerek-kő

View From The Kerek-kő

View From The Kerek-kő

Two Days In Zemplén Mountains

I spent two days in Zemplén mountains the other weekend.

On first day afternoon I started from Középhuta towards Sólyom-bérc and I intended to spend the evening under the starry sky.

At sunset I can see the silhouette of the Regéc castle from Sólyom-bérc:

Regéc castle

Regéc castle

As soon as the sun goes down I can hear the voice of an eagle owl nearby. After sunset I have to wait for the stars to appear. One can see only on the 30 seconds exposure photo that the sun still has some lights on the horizon:

On the Sólyom-bérc

On the Sólyom-bérc

The starry Mlaka meadow:

On the Mlaka-meadow

It takes about one hour from here to get back to the car but walking through the night forest wich is full of life is a great experience. Though I can only hear sounds but the fallen leaves are rattling very often around under the feet of animals of different sizes.
Next day I set off towards Újhuta. Leaving the village behind I park the car in front of a barrier. From here I go on walking:

I take my way to Kerek-kő, unfortunately the light conditions are not very good there.
Next day I start early in the morning, I don't know yet exactly my destination, I'll see...
I try to record the hazy forest:

The morning sunshine has a good effect on the hazy air:

Getting higher the mist disappears, however there is still some haze in the valley:

After crossing the Mlaka meadow I get to the Sólyom-bérc again having a try here but it's not what I expected.
Getting back to the car I catch sight of a salamander! I manage to take a few shots of it before I start home:

Fire Salamander

Fire Salamander

Lake Vekeri: Autumn Feeling

It's a long time since I last made a photo worth showing, I've been waiting for the beautiful autumn colours since the end of summer. This morning everything looked good for this: colourful leaves, dew, sunshine, free time. So, I gave it a try at Lake Vekeri nearby: