The after-season is a perfect period to visit the wadden islands in the North of the Netherlands, especially if you happen to plan your stay in the only week that offered excellent weather...
|
 |
The small copper (Lycaena phlaeas), feeding here on a thistle, is a common species on Terschelling.
|
 |
There is a surprising abundance of mushroom species. This milk fungus grows on a pinewood soil.
|
 |
The Southern coastline of the island has been reinforced with rocks. The bicycle path alongside it offers a good view of groups of Turnstones (Arenaria interpres) that can be found here and there, like these resting birds.
|
 |
A Turnstone on the watch-out.
|
 |
This Turnstone found a little crab for dinner.
|
 |
In fall, glasswort (Salicornia) changes colour from green into beautiful orange-reddish tones.
|
 |
In the bushes in the Boschplaat natural reserve, a Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata) looks out from his post.
|
 |
| Close to the Spotted Flycatcher a Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) seems to copy the flight of the Flycatcher. |
This photograph can be downloaded as a wallpaper (on your PC).
|
 |
Another photograph of the Spotted Flycatcher.
|
 |
The same bushes also offer shelter to a family of Pied Flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca). This one's a youngster.
|
 |
| A field of sea aster (Aster tripolium), moved by wind blowing over the Boschplaat reserve. This plant flowers in fall. |
This photograph can be downloaded as a wallpaper (on your PC).
|
 |
Great Ringed Plovers (Charadrius hiaticula) carefully listen for worms hidden in the mud; once spotted, they decisively walk to the spot to eat it.
|
 |
The exuberant caterpillar of the puss (Cerura vinula) is a somewhat unusual encounter. The caterpillar is usually well camouflaged between the willow leaves that they feed on. This one however was busy crossing the path, so it was easy to spot it.
|
 |
The common green grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus), is indeed a common sight all over the island.
|
 |
Alongside of the track that guides visitors over the Boschplaat reserve, apple trees can be found. They were planted by visitors when they threw away their apple cores.
|
 |
Elsewhere in the Boschplaat reserve a great green bush cricket (Tettigonia viridissima) deposits her eggs in the ground, using her ovipositor.
|
 |
A burnt patch of now empty ground appeared to be the territory of a Sparrowhawk, that silently flew by in front of our eyes.
|