Tag: wildlife

This week’s long run: running rainbows

This morning’s long run was a race against the rain (spoiler alert — I lost at the last kilometre). Started out at 5:30, one of my earliest runs yet, and I could see the dark rain clouds come in over the sea. I would have loved to take a picture of them and the giant waves, but I prioritized getting my run over with before I got completely drenched, so I pushed forward instead.

I did stop to take a picture of this heron (there’s a better picture of him on the way back) because he looked so majestic against the backdrop of the river and the rising sun.

You can’t see him particularly well, but this is a pied kingfisher atop a pole. I saw him there last week too, so maybe that’s his spot. Later on during the morning seagulls take over the area and no kingfishers are to be found.

These pair of Egyptian geese were out grazing and the male really didn’t approve of me taking photos of his wife. They are large and pretty fearless birds, so once he started complaining at me I made sure to give him plenty of space.

And the heron from earlier, enjoying a cold morning dip:

A little egret paced along the temporary beach created by the low tide. He looked busy and preoccupied.

Just after I took this photo in a light drizzle on the last 900 meters of my run, torrential rain started, coupled by cold winds. Arrived home drenched and freezing, but elated. Running in the rain is a wild experience that everyone should try at least once.

This week’s long run: cormorants

It’s funny going on a morning run and seeing the moon for a good part of the way.

Sunrise wasn’t too far away though, and with the waves and the clouds it painted a very pretty picture:

In the park a pair of hoopoes was shy enough to keep their distance, but I still managed to get a shot of one of them. Their colouring seems so bold until you see them by the mud of the riverbank.

Then it was cormorants all the way, from their usual tree, to a fishing pair in the river:

They really can dive, and I spent a minute or two trying to guess where they’ll emerge next.

All in all a good 10k run in pretty chilly weather.

This week’s long run: seagulls and Serial

For the first time ever I ran two 10ks in a week, and my legs kind of hate me right now.

I listened to the last episode of season 3 of Serial and it was heartbreaking, as was this entire season.

Seagulls in the sunrise:

And ducks:

Not sure if you can see them there, but here are some baby Egyptian geese with their parents:

Seagulls perched on boats, which is pretty unusual, as they normally don’t fly this far up river.

A kingfisher perched on a wire:

And finally some Egyptian geese grazing near the path:

This week’s long run: taper

I have a 10k this week, so today’s long run was on the short side: only 7k.

A few pretty sunrise photos:

And now, the birds:

Bats in Flight

If you ever wanted to see a bat in flight, this is for you.

This week’s long run: tiny duckling and race starting lines

Set out early as we’re in the midst of a heat wave (yes, it’s November) and I didn’t fancy running in the sun.

So dark outside…

A few km in and I saw two herons resting on the water’s edge.

Then came the Egyptian geese:

And a mallard mom with her ducklings:

I love seeing the sun rise over the river:

And over a grumpy night heron:

More Egyptian geese on the way:

A little egret perched on a boat:

The starting line gate for upcoming Tel Aviv Night Run is already up:

A great 10k, my last one before the Night Run race.

This week’s long run: dark and flighty

Set out while it was still dark outside:

Was rewarded by an awesome sunrise:

And some Egyptian geese:

As well as a pied kingfisher on the hunt:

A white-throated kingfisher was perching on a wire above the boat dock (you can barely see him, I know, but they’re flighty, so I couldn’t get nearer):

I was super surprised to see a ring-necked dove, as they’ve been overrun by common pigeons:

On the way back I saw a gathering of kayaks in the sea, which was a first for me:

A little over 10K on a very interesting run:

#Inktober 17: Swollen

My favourite prompt so far because it gave me an excellent excuse to draw the pufferfish.

Super5 fountain pen with 0.7 calligraphy nib, Rohrer and Klingner Lotte SketchINK on a Field Notes Signature sketchbook with shading done with a Faber Castell PITT Light Indigo brush pen.

#Inktober 16: Angular

Boy did I have a problem figuring out what to draw for this prompt. I almost decided to give up on it and work on my own thing. Then I remembered reading about the Angular Roughshark and that was that.

Zebra disposable brush pen on a Field Notes Signature sketchbook with a Faber Castell PITT Light Indigo brush pen.