Alimoche

Summer jewels

Posted on 25/07/2026 by Patricia

High Fens, East-Belgium, July 21 – 23. Swift and colourful, this is the season of the flying jewels… Here: swallowtail butterfly, silvery white butterfly, humming bird hawk-moth and moorland hawker (NL: venglazenmaker, FR: aeschne des joncs).

Posted in insects, travel, Belgium | Tagged butterflies, Esat-Belgium | Comments Off

Round-leaved sundew

Posted on 19/07/2026 by Patricia

High Fens, July, 13th. The round-leaved sundew is flowering these days, and the tiny, white flowers are high on their stems, as if they don’t want to be associated with the red and green leaves of this voracious insect-eating plant.

Posted in flora, travel, Belgium | Tagged Flora, High Fens, wild flowers | Comments Off

Tides at the beach

Posted on 28/06/2026 by Patricia

June 15-17th, Côte d’Opale. The tides dictate the population density: at high tide, the sandbank is empty, at low tide, it is is occupied. The light grey sea veals and coal dark seals do not mix. The mussel season has started. The amplitude of the local tides is the reason why they (as well as the crabs) taste so good!

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Sleeping beauties

Posted on 28/06/2026 by Patricia

June 15-17th, Côte d’Opale, France. Taking every opportunity to have a nap with their youngest, the mother seals take position on the first emerging sand dunes as soon as the sea withdraws.

Posted in landscapes, mammals, travel, France | Tagged coast, Côte d'Opale, France, mammals | Comments Off

Bienvenu chez les p’tits ch’tis!

Posted on 06/06/2026 by Patricia

Marais du Pas-de-Calais, France, May 11-16th. Young birds abound, getting lots of food and care from their parents. They start to explore their surroundings from a relatively safe location, e.g. from their nest, on Mam’s or Dad’s back or staying close to the elder (here: cormorant, water chick, grebe, coot and duck).

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Coastal depression

Posted on 25/05/2026 by Patricia

Pas-de-Calais, France, May 17th, 2026. In this coastal depression located in the dunes of Calais, one can find various birds that look for a peaceful nesting place…

Posted in birds, travel, France | Tagged birds, coast, North of France, waterbirds | Comments Off

Journey into the life of a white-throated dipper. I

Posted on 08/05/2026 by Patricia

High Ardennes, Belgium, late April – early May 2026. Diving into the life of a fascinating waterbird! Where does (s)he live? What does (s)he eat? How does (s)he feed?