Saturday, 31 December 2016

2016 - the very best of

2016 has been amazing. In this post is a selection of my favourite moments. I didn't need to go far to see beautiful things; most of the photos below were made locally: in and around Slovenia. Forget far-away exotic dreams, there's wilderness in Europe too!
Enjoy!

Mt. Krn (2244 m), Julian Alps, January 2016.
Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos medius, 
Cerkniško jezero, January 2016.
The main focus of my researches this year (see here).
Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria, 
Karst edge, March 2016 
(photo: Sara Cernich).
Erythronium dens-canis, 
Slovenian Karst, March 2016.
Slavonian Grebe Podiceps auritus, 
Monfalcone (Italy), March 2016.
Fritillaria meleagris, 
Krakovski gozd, March 2016.
Black Stork Ciconia nigra, 
Krakovski gozd, March 2016.
Wildcat Felis silvestris, 
Krakovski gozd, April 2016.
Scopolia carniolica, 
Kočevje, April 2016
(photo: Sara Cernich).
White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos (ssp. lilfordi), 
Kočevje, April 2016
(photo: Sara Cernich).
Fritillaria orientalis, 
Italian Karst, April 2016.
Narcissus poeticus (ssp. radiiflorus), 
Slovenian Karst, April 2016.
Me inside a cave in the Notranjska region, April 2016 
(photo: Alex Hyde).
Leptodirus hochenwartii, 
Notranjska region, April 2016. 
Endemic cave beetle of Slovenia and north-east Italy.
Morimus funereus, 
Slovenian Karst, April 2016.
Paeonia officinalis, 
Slovenian Karst, April 2016.
Orchis simia, 
Slovenian Karst, April 2016.
Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis, 
Nanos, May 2016 
(photo: Sara Cernich).
Three-toed Woodpecker Picoides tridactylus (ssp. alpinus), 
Javorniki, May 2016.
Selfie with the Three-toed, Javorniki, May 2016.
Białowieża primeval forest (Poland), May 2016. 
Best wildlife trip of my life - full report.
European Bison Bison bonasus, 
Białowieża primeval forest (Poland), May 2016
Full report.
Watching European Bison, 
Białowieża primeval forest (Poland), May 2016
(photo: Sara Cernich)
Full report.
Three-toed Woodpecker Picoides tridactylus (ssp. tridactylus), 
Białowieża primeval forest (Poland), May 2016
Full report.
Birding Białowieża primeval forest (Poland), May 2016
(photo: Sara Cernich)
Full report.
Cypripedium calceolus, 
Biebrza marshes (Poland), May 2016
(photo: Sara Cernich).
Elk Alces alces, 
Biebrza marshes (Poland), May 2016.
Camberwell beauty Nymphalis antiopa, 
Biebrza marshes (Poland), May 2016.
Lilium carniolicum, 
Vremščica, June 2016.
Roller Coracias garrulus, 
Mirna river valley (Croatia), June 2016.
Ural Owl Strix uralensis, 
Central Slovenia, June 2016.
My work colleague filming the sunrise over Cerknica lake, June 2016.  
This was an unusual, but interesting job - assisting in the making of a nature film throughout summer and autumn. Based mostly in the Notranjska region, filming rare animals, plants, landscapes & more.
Ural Owl Strix uralensis, 
Central Slovenia, June 2016. 
Following a breeding pair near a nestbox gave me excellent opportunities to witness seldom-seen behaviour, like the above adult bringing a vole to a fledged juvenile.
Cephalanthera rubra, 
Trenta valley - Julian Alps, July 2016.
Mt. Jalovec - Julian Alps, July 2016.
Rock Ptarmigan Lagopus muta, 
Mt. Mangart - Julian Alps, July 2016
(photo: Sara Cernich).
Epipogium aphyllum, 
Trenta valley - Julian Alps, July 2016
(photo: Sara Cernich).
Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria, 
Julian Alps, July 2016.
Drosera rotundifolia, 
Pokljuka plateau - Julian Alps, July 2016.
Nose-horned Viper Vipera ammodytes, 
Breginjski Stol - Julian Alps, July 2016.
Leontopodium alpinum, 
Breginjski Stol - Julian Alps, July 2016.
Stemmacantha rhapontica, 
Breginjski Stol - Julian Alps, July 2016.
Smooth Snake Coronella austriaca, 
Breginjski Stol - Julian Alps, July 2016
(photo: Sara Cernich).
Spiranthes aestivalis, 
Bloško polje, July 2016.
Great Capricorn Beetle Cerambyx cerdo, 
Slovenian Karst, July 2016.
Brown Bear Ursus arctos (trail camera), 
Slovenian Karst, August 2016.
Mt. Triglav, Julian Alps, August 2016.
Campanula zoysii, 
Mt. Krn - Julian Alps, August 2016.
Sunrise from Mt. Krn, Julian Alps, August 2016.
Snowfinch Montifringilla nivalis, 
Mt. Krn - Julian Alps, August 2016.
Geranium argenteum, 
Mt. Krn - Julian Alps, August 2016.
Armeria alpina, 
Mt. Krn - Julian Alps, August 2016.
Aquilegia iulia, 
Mt. Krn - Julian Alps, August 2016.
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos, 
Snežnik, August 2016.
Peacock butterfly Inachis io on Telekia speciosa, 
Trnovski gozd, August 2016.
Brown Bear Ursus arctos, 
Snežnik forests, August 2016. 
Unforgettable evening with 3 different Bears on a glade, under a shining full moon!
Predatory Bush Cricket Saga pedo, 
Italian Karst, September 2016.
Ural Owl Strix uralensis, 
Snežnik forests, September 2016.
Red Deer Cervus elaphus, 
Snežnik forests, September 2016
(photo: Sara Cernich).
Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos medius, 
Slovenian Karst, October 2016. 
A bird discovered at a new locality on the Karst in autumn.
European Bison Bison bonasus,  
Białowieża primeval forest (Poland), October 2016.
Second round in Poland - full report.
White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos (ssp. leucotos), 
Białowieża primeval forest (Poland), October 2016
(photo: Sara Cernich).
Full report.
Filming documentary at Predjama castle, October 2016.
Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria, 
Predjama castle, October 2016.
Pygmy Owl Glaucidium passerinum, 
Pokljuka plateau - Julian Alps, November 2016.
Oak woodland, 
Trieste (Italy), November 2016.
Marbled Trout Salmo marmoratus, 
Ajdovščina, December 2016.
Local patch, Slovenian Karst, December 2016.

The very best shots from 2016 are also in my photogallery
& videos on my Youtube channel.