Lake Kerkini is famous among birders and photographers for its Pelicans, Dalmatian and White, and his setting of snow-capped mountains in winter (Mount Kerkini in the background). In recent years several images taken in this place won awards in the famous photo contest Wildlife Photographer of the Year (Jari Peltomäki (Endangered Species), Bence Mate).

Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus) © Patrick Dieudonne 2012

The history of the Dalmatian Pelican (Dalmatian Pelican, Pelecanus crispus), a globally threatened species with less than 14 000 birds (drainage, persecution), is an unexpected success story at lake Kerkini. The Dalmatian Pelican winters and breeds regularly on the lake now (since 2003), on platforms specially arranged for them (120 chicks in 2010). After some early setbacks, cohabitation with fishermen on the lake is going rather well now.

This lake is located north of Greece, 100 km north of Thessaloniki, and is near the Bulgarian border. Normally, it is part of an extension of our Golden Eagles photo trip in Bulgaria (Spatia Wildlife / Voyages et Nature). But it was included in our trip following the exceptional weather conditions that paralyzed the Eastern Europe in late January and early February 2012.

The lake and its surroundings offer many opportunities that are not limited to wintering Pelicans – Flamingos and Pygmy cormorants are some species that may be of interest to photographers in this season. But the Dalmatian Pelican, which cohabits with fishermen in some areas provide many opportunities for stunning pictures. Used to fishermen and to take scrap fish, they show very little fear and come to take fish on offer. Wide-angle shots are possible and quite spectacular. I do not personally like too much these pictures of Pelicans with bills pointed skyward, finding them a bit unnatural, but I must admit that the overall effect is spectacular. In this season, the Pelicans are in breeding plumage (red gular pouch and curly head), which gives the images their full potential.

These images were taken in a  Spatia Wildlife / Voyages et Nature wildlife  photo trip (travel description here) in January 2012. I used a Nikon D3 and a D700, and several lenses: 24-70/2.8 AFS, AFS 70-200 VRII, 300/2.8 AFI, AFS VR 500 mm. Copyright 2012 Patrick Dieudonne, all rights reserved.

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Unusually cold conditions and heavy snowfall in Eastern Europe in the late January 2012 have changed my photo program in Bulgaria. We were a small group of french and foreign photographers and our first goal was taking pictures of Golden Eagles high in the Balkans, Bulgaria. The photo tour was organized by Spatia Wildlife, of which I am representative in France (see www. spatiawildlife.com and www.voyagesetnature.com).
But in fact we had to change our program, the hides being totally inaccessible (over 1 m of snow at these altitudes). So we drove south, in Greece (Lake Kerkini) and to the Rhodope Mountains in the south of Bulgaria. However, the temperatures were still very cold, between -5 and -20 ° C…

Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) with Magpie, under snow, Bulgaria

The hide sessions we made in the Rhodopes included still good chances for Golden Eagles and even Imperial Eagles, but the Eagles did not show up eventually. However we have had a quite exceptional session for Griffon Vultures, under a persistent snow and -20 ° C. The vultures came to the carcass only the third day, under snow. The first day was totally unproductive, the second produced three to four birds, two of which marked (wings), which was not very photogenic (vultures from reintroductions of other Bulgarian sites).

On the third day, no doubt encouraged by the worsened weather, vultures pounced on the carcasses, with more than twenty birds present, made aggressive by hunger and the little food available on a frozen carcass. Threatening postures, clashes and battles followed for more than two hours. The presence of ravens and magpies, and especially the snow falling heavily at times, was a plus for the images.

I let you enjoy the images that compensate somewhat for the absence of eagles. Thanks to Dobry Domuschiev, founder and owner of Spatia Wildlife, who has done everything possible to organize at once another program which has revealed enjoyable and productive, despite the difficulties in the field, and extreme temperature in the worst winter in Bulgaria for nearly 20 years.

All images: Nikon D3, iso 400 to 800, AFS VR 500 mm, 500 AFS VR + 1.4 and 1.7 x converters. Copyright 2012 Patrick Dieudonne, all rights reserved.

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My last trip was in the Dolomites region, a place I wanted to visit for a long time. It was not the best time of year to visit: in August, light was harsh very soon in the morning and sunsets were often obscured by low clouds, but the potential for great photos is immense there. I have to return in mid-season to get better conditions.

However, I managed to get some pictures that I can show you. This one is taken with my Ebony SW45 field camera and 180 mm Schneider lens on Fuji Velvia (6×12 cm rollfilm), and represents Lake Carezza, a small emerald green lake at the foot of the Latemar peaks. In high season you have to come very early to avoid hords of tourists who congregate here from 9.00 AM on. This is also necessary because contrast is high and difficult to manage later.

Lake Carezza, Latemar peaks, Dolomites, Italy © Patrick Dieudonne Photo