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 Endeavor EDII 10x42 binoculars worth €400.Runner-up Dieter Waschbuesch came in … [Read more...] about Seeing is Believing Photography Competition Winner
Wildlife Photography
Look out for: oil beetles
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 family and I were spending a weekend in Glengarriff, Co. Cork. We were staying in a cottage right in the middle of Glengarriff … [Read more...] about Look out for: oil beetles
IWDG humpback research charter opened to non-members
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 Cork at 9am sharp... details via the IWDG provided … [Read more...] about IWDG humpback research charter opened to non-members
Waxwing invasion of Ireland continues
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 irruption seems to have been prompted by a combination of a good breeding year (boosting … [Read more...] about Waxwing invasion of Ireland continues
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 great stocking filler for the wildlife nut in … [Read more...] about IWT Irish Wildlife Photography Awards Calendar out now
Incredible photograph of blue whales in Irish waters
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. The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group's recently refurbished … [Read more...] about Incredible photograph of blue whales in Irish waters
Red Admirals Everywhere
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. … [Read more...] about Red Admirals Everywhere
A stroll along the 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 evening stroll along the strand.You never know what you might see: birds, seals, dolphins, porpoises... … [Read more...] about A stroll along the strand
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… just a little bit! Photo Credit: All rights reserved by mikka631 via Flickr … [Read more...] about Featured Photo: Crab Spider, Boora Parklands, Co. Offaly
Featured Photo: Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)
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 summer migrants, the Spotted Flycatcher, posted to the group by Alistair … [Read more...] about Featured Photo: Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)
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 all screamed their warnings. Trouble had arrived! I glanced … [Read more...] about Sparrowhawk: the “Ronseal” of Irish birds!
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 by Eamon Brennan via Facebook Spotted Flycatcher… by … [Read more...] about Featured wildlife photos from the Ireland’s Wildlife community
Share your Ireland’s Wildlife photographs on Flickr
Ireland’s Wildlife now has a brand new Flickr group, where you can share your images of Irish nature with the rest of our online community. Flickr is one of the world’s leading photo-sharing websites (now owned by the Yahoo! network) and makes it really easy to share, comment and discuss photos online. Members have already added a stunning collection of wildlife shots to the … [Read more...] about Share your Ireland’s Wildlife photographs on Flickr
Poplar Hawk Moth… a different view
Seeing the fantastic insect photographs being posted to the Ireland’s Wildlife Facebook Page this month prompted me to browse my photo archives, and I thought I’d share this with you on the blog. The poplar hawk moth (Laothoe populiis) an incredibly striking insect… based on a 1981 distribution map it can (or at least could) be found all over Ireland, but because, like many … [Read more...] about Poplar Hawk Moth… a different view
