field notes from 02/08/23

Danube Delta, early spring

· Delta Dunării, Tulcea, Romania · Cool, overcast, 48°F, quiet water · Fujifilm X-T5, 150-600mm

Flew into Bucharest and took the train and then a small boat to a fisherman’s lodge in the delta. The Danube Delta in early spring is about pelicans — both Great White and Dalmatian — arriving back from wintering grounds. We took the small wooden boat out before first light each morning. Dalmatian Pelicans glowing pale in the low light is a photograph that sort of takes itself.

I don’t speak any Romanian. My guide spoke about fifteen English words. We understood each other by the second day.

Dalmatian pelican on still water
Big pelican, curly crest, orange pouch. Dalmatian Pelican 400mm, 1/2000s, f/6.3, ISO 400
Dalmatian pelican taking off
Takeoff run on still water. Dalmatian Pelican 400mm, 1/1600s, f/6.3, ISO 640
Great white pelican on water
Smaller and pinker than the Dalmatian. Great White Pelican 300mm, 1/1600s, f/6.3, ISO 800
Pygmy cormorant on reed
Tiny cormorant in the reeds. Pygmy Cormorant 150mm, 1/1250s, f/6.3, ISO 640
Whiskered tern over water
Delta tern of the day. Whiskered Tern 400mm, 1/2000s, f/6.3, ISO 400
White-tailed eagle on snag
Huge bird on a dead willow. White-tailed Eagle 400mm, 1/1600s, f/8, ISO 1000
Penduline tit on reed
Briefly on a reed head. Penduline Tit 200mm, 1/1000s, f/6.3, ISO 800
Reed warbler singing
The whole delta sang at dawn. Reed Warbler 300mm, 1/1000s, f/7.1, ISO 800
Wide view of delta channel at dawn
Mist across still water. Delta channel at dawn 23mm, 1/250s, f/8, ISO 200
Otter on a log
Otter cooperating for about ten seconds. European Otter 400mm, 1/1600s, f/7.1, ISO 400
Squacco heron on log
Small buff heron. Less dramatic, more subtle. Squacco Heron 500mm, 1/1250s, f/7.1, ISO 1250