Eurasian Eagle-Owl (Bubo bubo), Great Grey Owl (Strix nebulosa), Harris Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus), Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aquila+adalberti) and Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)

This post is a sort of collection of gazes, looks and stares.

The Eagle Owl has a wingspan of 160–188 cm (63–74 in). Females weigh 1.75–4.2 kg and males weigh 1.5–3 kg.

Thoughtful.

Eurasian Eagle-Owl (Bubo bubo) portrait. (© LightColourShade. All rights reserved) 

Dragonflies. Red-veined Darter, Nomad (Sympetrum fonscolombii) female

The Red-veined Darter or Nomad (Sympetrum fonscolombii) is a dragonfly of the genus Sympetrum. It is widespread in southern Europe and from the 1990s onwards also in northwest Europe, including Britain and Ireland.

Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) female.
(© LightColourShade. All rights reserved)

Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea), Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) and Little Egret (Egretta garzetta garzetta)

The Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea), is a wading bird of the heron family Ardeidae, native to temperate Europe, Asia and parts of Africa. It is resident in the milder south and west, but many birds migrate in winter from colder regions. It is a large bird, measuring 84–102 cm (33–40 in) long with a 155–195 cm (61–77 in) wingspan and creating an impressive hovering silhouette against the sky. Unlike storks, cranes and spoonbills which extend their necks in flight, grey heron flies slowly with its long neck retracted (S-shaped), which is characteristic of herons and bitterns. However I captured this one flying with its neck outstretched (and performing acrobatics in the air), apparently because the bird was trying to eat the fish it was holding in its claws.

Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) in flight with its neck extended
(© LightColourShade. All rights reserved)

Dragonflies. Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope)

The Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope) is a dragonfly of the family Aeshnidae found in Southern Europe, north Africa and Asia.

Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope) on dry grass stalk
(© LightColourShade. All rights reserved)

Cute Scenes. House Sparrow (Passer Domesticus) and Mallard Ducks with their chicks

What a cute sight it is to see a brood of ducklings with their mum.

Female mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos) with her chicks in the lake. (by-nc-nd)

Dragonflies and Moths. Crimson Marsh Glider (Trithemis aurora), Crimson-speckled Flunkey / Footman / Moth (Utetheisa Pulchella) and Lesser Emperor (Anax Parthenope)

Against the light this crimson marsh glider really looked like a fairy.

Crimson Marsh Glider (Trithemis aurora) male. (by-nc-nd)

Dragonflies. Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope), Blue Marsh Hawk (Orthetrum glaucum), Crimson Marsh Glider (Trithemis aurora), Scarlet Skimmer / Crimson Darter (Crocothemis servilia)

Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope) is a dragonfly of the family Aeshnidae. It is found in Southern Europe, north Africa and Asia. It took me quite some time to identify this dragonfly since it’s very similar to the Emperor Dragonfly / Blue Emperor (Anax imperator), except for being smaller and less colourful. Besides A. parthenope tends to hold its abdomen straighter than A. imperator. Unlike blue emperor A. parthenope has a blue saddle with a yellow ring at the base, the rest of its abdomen is brown and the eyes are green. It’s common in much of southern and central Europe, across Asia to Japan and China, and north Africa.

Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope)in flight over the water
(© LightColourShade. All rights reserved)