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2021

Starling - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Storno

There are only a few Swallows left in Italy in November, so it was fascinating to see Starlings taking their place as …

Marsh Harrier - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Circus aeruginosus

The last time I saw a Marsh Harrier it was a perfect silhouette against the light and gave me no chance to …

Little Egret - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Yellow feet

These yellow feet are very distinctive. They belong to a Little Egret, Egretta garzetta. They enjoy paddling in the water. I don’t …

Black Redstart - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Black Redstart

One of my favourite Black Redstart photographs from this year. Lovely, aren’t they?

Common Kestrel with Hooded Crow - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Mobbed again

It’s not an easy life being a Common Kestrel. There are always Hooded Crows around making your life unpleasant. This one is …

Rallenta - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Rallenta!

Rallenta, the sign says. I decide to look it up. What’s the English translation of rallenta from the Italian? There are hundreds …

Kestrel - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

A malar stripe

Look closely at this Kestrel. At any of the Kestrels. Look at any of the Falcons. They all have something in common. …

Spoonbill - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Shovelard

The Medieval name for the Eurasian Spoonbill was the Shovelard. That makes me laugh, every time. I’ve seen them in Italy before, …

Marsh Harrier - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Falco di palude

There’s a Marsh Harrier overhead. We’ve been here for hours waiting and when one appears it’s against the light. It’s a silhouette. …

Little Egret - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Little Egret on a wire

This Little Egret is standing on one yellow foot and giving me the eye. A yellow eye. When it does try the …

Clouded Yellow - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Clouded Yellow

This yellow butterfly is such an attractive species. It’s a Clouded Yellow, Colias croceus. It’s flying in Italy in winter amongst the …

Kestrel - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

The pursuit

This Common Kestrel has its eyes to the skies. There’s a Hooded Crow about to mob this Kestrel. Here it comes: It’s …

Little Egret - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Little Egret landing

There’s a Little Egret across the water at Riserva Statale Pantani dell’Inferno. I’m thrilled when it takes off, flies over and lands …

Rome - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Briscola

When the weather is fine, and after having their coffee and reading the local Rome paper, the older men at my favourite …

Rome - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Dogs, dogs and more dogs

Walking through Trastevere in Rome I see a group of dogs tied to a railing. They’re such a perfect group I risk …

Rome - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Graffiti

It’s not often you hear the singular of graffiti which is graffito. Perhaps that’s because one graffito attracts another. Graffiti actually means …

Rome - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Little St Peters

Sampietrini are the tiny cobbles used in historic areas of Rome. They’re particularly common in my favourite area, Trastevere. They’re great because …

Great White Egret and Grey Heron - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Great White Egret v Grey Heron

I was thrilled to see Great White Egrets recently at Lago di Alviano. They’re wonderful birds and a thrill to see fly …

Great Spotted Woodpecker - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Great and spotted

We’ve been spotted. There’s a Great Spotted Woodpecker living its adventurous life nearby. Great Spotted Woodpeckers are large woodpeckers to us. They’re …

Grey Heron - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Cinderella Iron

The last we saw of a Grey Heron was one standing, impressively, on a branch over the lake at Lago di Alviano. …

Great White Egret - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Major White Airplane

Great White Egrets, Ardea alba, are impressive birds. They’re much bigger than a Grey Heron and stunning in flight. Just look at …

Black Redstart - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

More Black Redstarts

Are you tired of seeing my photographs of Black Redstarts yet? I’m beginning to feel like one of those 1970s dads with …