Bonjour de la Belgique! I am presently in Bruxelles, visiting a great friend, en route to a wedding in Munich... and that doesn't mean the wildlife viewing has to stop! Above is a Common Buzzard, very similar to a North American Red Tailed hawk. I saw one today when we were driving in the countryside. But I have to fess up that I did NOT take this picture!
I didn't take this picture either, but I had to include one of a Magpie! These lovely birds are found all over Europe, usually in pairs or groups of 2-6 in size. They are related to crows, both species being menbers of the Corvid family, and are very clever. In fact, their cleverness has not earned them the best reputation as they are known to steal things that look fun- like shiny trinkets. For all you Tintin lovers, you should know this if you've read The Castifiore Emerald!
This IS a picture I took, of a rainsoaked little Ladybird, as they call them over here, but known to us as Ladybugs. I rescued this lovely little one from a sidewalk in Bruxelles, and made sure to place it on the leeward side of the tree, as it was quite a cold blustery day!
I took this one too. A picture of one of the many Ring-necked doves in Bruxelles. It's weird as I haven't really seen them in such numbers in other areas in Europe. They are significantly bigger than the "rock doves," a.k.a. pigeons, that we know and love. In my friend's backyard, with no one watching, I saw all sorts of drama between a group of this species as they competed for berries and, presumably, mates!
OK, and now you just have to indulge me so I can put on one picture of Milou, Tintin's companion. He IS a local animal, so he kind of belongs here, and I do love him! I had great fun at the Musee Bande Designee where I took this photo.
