A rare collection of 82 original, hand-colored engravings of birds and quadrupeds by John James Audubon will come under the hammer in New York on 5th December 2012. “The Birds of America” was published in London between 1827 and 1838 by Robert Havell. Although some items will be purchased by art galleries for public display, […]
Author: Ken Billington
Ken, a scientist by training held various management positions in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries during his professional career, enabling him to travel extensively throughout Europe, the Americas, North Africa, Asia and Japan.
Ken has always been a keen photographer and bought his first telephoto lens 10 years ago. This was the beginning of his interest in bird photography.
Since then he has also become an active supporter of birding and wildlife conservation.
Wildlife Slaughter in South Dakota
Imagine my amazement this morning to see a Google advertisement inviting me to hunt wildlife in South Dakota – and I live in Switzerland! It seems that South Dakota is being promoted as the ideal tourist destination for wildlife hunting. So I clicked on the advertisement and within a few minutes realized that wildlife hunting […]
Feral Goats on the West Coast of Ireland
Since first sighting the Feral Goats on Goat Island whilst sailing last year, I had wanted to return to capture some shots of this enigmatic species. Goat Island is situated at the North Western end of Roaringwater Bay on the West Coast of Island. Weather conditions yesterday were perfect for photography – blue skies and […]
Hawk among the Pigeons
You may have heard the expression “cat among the pigeons”. Last week I experienced a similar situation but involving a Sparrow Hawk. Whilst strolling across open farmland around Croagh Bay on the west coast of Ireland, I heard the alarm calls of several bird species including starlings and blackbirds. That’s when I saw the culprit […]
Wildlife of Roaringwater Bay
Roaringwater Bay is located in the extreme south west of Ireland and derives its name from the sound of the waters, powered by Atlantic gales, crashing against the numerous rocks and islands. Due to the strong influence of the Gulf Stream the climate is moist and mild. Strong winds can be expected, especially in winter […]
Spring has arrived on the Rhine Delta
The last week has been exceptionally mild with early morning temperatures around +5 degrees Celsius and warming up to the mid teens in the afternoons. Combined with brilliant sunshine and birdsong all around, the consensus is that spring has well and truly arrived on the Rhine Delta. My first encounter this morning was with a […]
First Spring Migrants Arrive Back in Swiss Foothills
Walking around my village in the Swiss foothills yesterday, I was totally surprised to hear the sound of my old friend, the Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) – check out the link to the birdsong below. This insect eater doesn’t normally arrive back from Africa until the beginning of April. This could be a a sign […]
Birdsong in the Puerto Rican Rain Forest
I first got the opportunity to visit Puerto Rico on a business trip in March 2005. It left a lasting impression because I returned for a three-week vacation in January 2011. The island is rich in wildlife with many types of habitat including rain forest, marshes and mangroves, beaches and lakes, mountainous areas and dry […]