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Mark Billiau.


Premium (World), region Antwerp, Belgium

White Stork

Owing to its mythological reputation as the bringer of babies, the White Stork is very well known.

It’s a long-distance migratory bird that breeds in Europe and winters in Africa as far south as South Africa.
They arrive back in Europe around march and april, after an average trip of 49 days.
During its migration, this bird is frequently hunted just for fun…….

The White Stork builds a large nest in trees, on buildings or on purpose-built man-made platforms.
Males usually come back 2 weeks earlier than females to prepare the nest.
The specimen in the picture was inspecting a Maritime Pine as possible nesting place.

Dutch name : Ooievaar
German name : Weissstorch
Latin name : Ciconia ciconia

Comments 37

  • Gilbert13 20/06/2013 15:43

    an unusual place for the stork - they are wonderful animals, they seem very proud of their looks! Very nice. Gilbert
  • Jenipher Baker 02/04/2012 13:52

    It looks very regal standing up there in the tree .......great exposure, details and colours :-)
    bw Jeni
  • Gunther Hasler 02/04/2012 9:25

    Ein herrliches Foto, sowohl in der Bildgestaltung als auch in der Qualität!
    Gruß, Gunther
  • KristinaBurnaby 02/04/2012 6:19

    Wunderful picture. Especially with the contrast. Love it. Kristina
  • carinart 31/03/2012 17:10

    Ein Storch in einem Baum - ein seltenes Motiv, und die Schattenstreifen gefallen mir auch sehr gut!
    L.G. Karin
  • Nordeifeler 30/03/2012 22:49

    Herrlich,der Storch und die Kiefer,ein ganz toller Kontrast..
    ich grüße dich ..Kai..
  • willy ombret 30/03/2012 10:59

    merveilleuse rencontre
    willy ombret
  • Deryck 29/03/2012 21:25

    I wonder where that myth comes from...
    A wonderful shot of this beautiful bird. We do not see many of them here in South Africa
    Deryck
  • CsomorLászló 29/03/2012 18:56

    This one is beautiful!
    bw
    CsL
  • Mohr Wilfried 29/03/2012 17:53

    Tolles Storchenbild in einer Kiefer.
    Gruß Wilfried
  • ann margAReT 29/03/2012 17:01

    sehr schön gesehen und wunderschön, ja perfekt aufgenommen.
    ann
  • Lawson McCulloch 29/03/2012 13:55

    A great shot and explanation Mark.
    best wishes from Lawson.
  • viola d 28/03/2012 22:03

    Poles believe storks bring happiness. There are a lot of storks here in Poland but they keep away from the cities of course. A very beautiful bird, isn't it?
    Your picture just proves it.
    Bw, Viola
  • Sylvia Schulz 28/03/2012 21:03

    da kann ich nur sagen Wow, den hast Du großartig fotografiert
    lg Sylvia
  • Adele D. Oliver 28/03/2012 20:20

    So unusual to see a stork high up in a pinetree .... unusual for me to see one at all since they don't come to visit us here :-)))) Beautiful your image with this composition and light ... his plumage and red beak really stand out against the green needles and the blue sky !!
    greetings, Adele