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Wildlife Photography

Seeing is Believing Photography Competition Winner

Huge congratulations to Chris Howes of Dublin, who was selected as the winner of our Seeing is Believing wildlife photography competition at the end of February. Chris’s entry — A fox cub reflects — beat off some stiff competition to take the top prize of a fantastic pair of Vanguard….

Look out for: oil beetles

Oil beetle

A recent post to the Ireland’s Wildlife page on Facebook (you can like it here… if you don’t already 🙂 ) reminded me of an encounter I had with what has to be one of our most curious looking groups of insects. It was back in April 2008, when my….

IWDG humpback research charter opened to non-members

Humpback whale off West Cork

The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) has opened up a research charter scheduled for tomorrow morning to non-members. The formerly “members only” research trip is hoping to find and photograph the humpback whale confirmed in the area yesterday afternoon, and is scheduled to leave Reen Pier, Union Hall, West….

Waxwing invasion of Ireland continues

Waxwing in Clonakilty Co. Cork, Ireland

The influx of waxwings continues, with reports of these striking birds coming in from all over the country. I finally managed to hook up with a small flock in Clonakilty, County Cork over the weekend… and what a lovely lot they were too. Here are a few photographs. The waxwing….

IWT Irish Wildlife Photography Awards Calendar out now

The Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT) has launched an Irish Wildlife Calendar featuring shortlisted entries for this year’s Irish Wildlife Photography Award. The overall winner of the award will be announced in December… but the Irish Wildlife Photography Award Calendar is available now from the IWT for just €10. It will make a….

Incredible photograph of blue whales in Irish waters

Blue Whales photographed in Ireland

Two blue whales cruise the waters 80-100 nautical miles off Ireland’s south coast The Irish Air Corps captured some phenomenal images last week when they encountered fin whales and two incredibly rare blue whales in Irish waters near the continental shelf edge about 80-100 nautical miles off Ireland’s south coast…..

Red Admirals Everywhere

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)

The last few sunny days has seen a veritable irruption of freshly emerged Red Admirals (Vanessa atalanta) in the garden. Some of them still had “crinkly” edges to their wings, where they hadn’t pumped up / dried out properly yet. This particularly fine specimen posed for photos. Absolutely stunning butterflies.

A stroll along the strand

Sanderling, Long Strand

An evening walk on the beach is one of the real high points of Autumn. In this part of West Cork we’re spoilt for choice with some stunning beaches within striking distance of the house… but more often than not we pick Long Strand at Castlefreke near Clonakilty for an….

Featured Photo: Crab Spider, Boora Parklands, Co. Offaly

This stunning macro photo of a crab spider at Boora Parklands, Co. Offaly was posted to the Ireland’s Wildlife Flickr Group by Michael Carroll. It’s an amazing shot of an animal that I have yet to see in Ireland… not for want of trying. Not jealous at all. Well, maybe…….

Featured Photo: Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)

Spotted Flycatcher

Browsing through the Ireland’s Wildlife photography group on Flickr recently I thought it would be a great idea to share some of the fantastic photographs of Irish wildlife that are being posted there on this wildlife blog. So let’s kick off with this stunning portrait of one of my favourite….

Sparrowhawk: the “Ronseal” of Irish birds!

Living and working in the country is often quite tranquil, but this morning the calm was shattered when this male sparrowhawk dropped in for an impromptu visit. Suddenly the background harmony of birdsong was replaced by a cacophony of anxious alarm calls as blackbirds, swallows, house sparrows, chaffinches and tits….

Featured wildlife photos from the Ireland’s Wildlife community

Here are a selection of stunning wildlife shots submitted by fans of the Ireland’s Wildlife page on Facebook and the Irelands Wildlife Flickr photo-sharing group. Enjoy! Wood mouse… by Caher Bridge Garden via Facebook Pine Marten… by Enda Flynn via Flickr Small Copper… by Wild Carlow via Facebook Pygmy Shrew….