Calendar 2023

Greenfinch and Goldfinch were feeding on sunflower seeds. From time to time, when they got too close, the quarrel was inevitable. It usually lasted a fraction of a second and it was hard to photograph. For me the biggest challenge was to capture both birds in a depth of field and not cut the wings with the edge of the frame. Thankfully the birds fought couple of times that day, allowing me to correct the settings in the camera and try again. With each fight I was closer to success. After many attempts, I finally managed to take the photo I wanted.

Last year, due to high water levels, a huge field of sunflowers was not mowed. Despite the loss for the owner – for the birds, it became a true paradise. An enormous field of sunflowers, full of energy-dense seeds is undoubtedly a delicacy for many species – so no wonder that when winter came, this place attracted dozens of thousands of birds. The most numerous were bramblings, goldfinches and greenfinches, and among them one could also spot chaffinches, tree sparrows, and linnets. The great number of passerines attracted many predators. On the withered heads of sunflowers, buzzards and kestrels lurked on weaker or inattentive finches. Goshawks and sparrowhawks flitted between the sunflowers, and peregrine falcons and merlins controlled the sky, appearing suddenly and falling like a bolt from the blue. From time to time a hen harrier would visit the canteen, gliding over the field to look for prey. Within just a few minutes I could observe all mentioned species. For me, as a photographer it was a perfect place for photography, and since it was in my local area, I was able to visit it quite often.

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A male great crested grebe chasing a coot that has passed too close. Spring is in the air!

It was a chilly morning. My goal was to photograph starlings. These common birds are a very beautiful however underrated subject for photographers.

I went to a nearby park and soon found a pair of starlings. The male did not leave the female’s step and sang her various melodies. I positioned myself in such a place that the birds were between me and the rising sun. In this way, if the male had spread his wings (and he does it only a few seconds before flying to the tree), the low light would shine through his feathers, giving an interesting effect. All that remained was to wait patiently.

After a several minutes, the male straightened, spread his wings and sang the most beautiful of all the melodies. This was the moment! I pressed the shutter almost instinctively. In addition, thanks to the low temperature, you could see the steam escaping from the starling beak. That was a good morning!

A portrait of a curious cygnet that came close to me one morning. I think it was intrigued by the reflection in my lens. After a quick look it came back to its family and left me with this photo.

A beautiful view on Sudeten Mountains in Poland. I love this place – if only conditions are right, you can find yourself above the clouds and observe the amazing spectacle of light and shadows beneath you.

Yellowhammer singing its beautiful song in the morning. Even that its colorful plumage contrasts well with the background, it wasn’t easy to find it through a dense bush.

One morning, when I was lying in the mud, I saw a dunlin trying to pull a worm out of the ground. It was not an easy task, as you can see in the photo. In the end the dunlin succeeded and could eat a high-energy snack – especially needed now, during autumn migration to wintering grounds. Moments after eating the worm, the dunlin went in search of another one.

A monochromatic landscape of one of my favorite places in Poland – Biebrza National Park. I love how the incoming stormy clouds in the background correspond with a lonely tree.

Great Tit flying in the snow. Using the short shutter speed I was able to freeze the movement of the bird and the falling snow.

A portrait of the largest mammal in Europe – the European bison. When you are such close to this magnificent animal you feel a deep respect. Although I spent many hours with him and he accepted my presence, I had shivers all over my body for the whole time. These are the moments in wildlife photography you’ll remember forever.