In the past 10 years has focused on sister island of Helgoland "Dune" established a colony of gray seals and also nurseries for young animals. The conditions on this dune offer the photographer the opportunity to come particularly close to the animals.

As opposed to gray seals seals on the German coasts are very rare, there is already a rarity, so many of them to see on a beach. The total stock of gray seals in Schleswig-Holstein North Sea waters is estimated at about 150 to 200 animals. Grey seals are considerably larger than seals. An adult male can be up to 2.3 meters long and 220 kilograms well be difficult.

Since gray seals are aggressive predators, we recommend a due distance (gray seals are often hurt each other even when they get too close). Nowhere, however, one can observe these animals in so short a distance. From just 40 meters I could (based on the image) of the recordings with focal lengths between 400 and 800 mm implement.

Panorama of the north beach

A 360 ° panorama of the northern beach of the dunes with panoramic gray seals on my bank website panovista.de .

For more information

• Publication of the protection of the Wadden Sea Station Grey seals on Heligoland
• Grey seals in the Wikipedia

For birders Heligoland is a paradise. The island and the surrounding rocks watts serve not only to the migration times as an important resting place for many birds but provide a valuable breeding site.

Guillemots

The Lummenfelsen at the northern end of West Cliff is the smallest nature reserve in Germany (1 ha), but has also the largest breeding bird density on all German nature reserves. Received its name from the red rocks of the thousands of guillemots here to raise their young. In July / August, the young, flightless murres then plunge off the cliffs into the sea. At this spectacle, the so-called "Lummensprung" travel every year, many birders from around the world to Helgoland.

Guillemots at the red sandstone cliffs of Heligoland

Gannets

The gannets are among the largest nesting birds on Heligoland. This up to 3-pound bird with a wingspan of 180 cm since 1991 pull their boys approached on Helgoland. The birds are good sailors and travel enormous distances in their search for food. The animals have a streamlined body, which allows them to impact velocities of 100 km / h to dive into the sea for their food, especially to catch herring and mackerel.

Gannet with seaweed

Fulmar

The fulmar spends the most time on the open sea. The 400 to 700 grams heavy bird with a wingspan of about 110 cm may momentarily dip to a depth of four meters. Striking a small opening on its beak through which he can emit recorded sea salt.

A fulmar in gliding

Herring gulls

Very common on Helgoland finds the herring gull. These gulls are up to 1.5 kg heavy, and can reach a wingspan of 145 cm. The animals are beautiful to see in flight, but can also be quite cheeky .

Gull in flight

Herring gulls on the sand dune

Other bird species

Of course there are dozens more on Helgoland bird species. So I was a flock of cormorants on their passage , as well as some Oystercatchers photographed. Even a pair of eider ducks was running before the lens.

Since I am not an ornithologist, I secure the classification of many bird species is difficult. But I should be right, then the following picture of an ivory gull may be a little rarity. This Möwenart is found mainly in the Arctic and rarely strayed so far to the south-lying areas. The plumage of the young gull is still speckled, older animals are snow white.

Young ivory gull

Bird Collection

Tags: imagery , gallery , Heligoland , island , travel photography , birds , animals , birds

Today I would like Greetings from Germany's only offshore island convey. As it should be, of course, photographic greetings.

I seldom is the sorting and evaluating the photos brought back after a holiday been so difficult. More than 4,000 images in five days, because there is already significant work. But I think it was worth it. This will form the first in a small series of impressions from the "Red Rock".

Helgoland is located upstream in the German Bight and is the farthest island from the mainland of Germany. On the island, which administratively belongs to the district of Pinneberg in Schleswig-Holstein, there are about 1,300 inhabitants. The climate of the island is well balanced and offers wintermildeste climate in Germany.

Landmark of the island is the rock on the northern tip of needle. She is affectionately known as the "Long Anna" called.

Heligoland landmark: The Long Anna

The federal red sandstone jutting out over the water and forms the upper country.

The red rocks of Heligoland

Helgoland is located west of the dune, which is popular in summer, mainly because of its sandy beaches.

Lighthouse of the Helgoland dune

For several years has focused on the Helgoland dune a gray seal colony firmly established.

Grey seals on Heligoland Düne

Tags: imagery , Germany , Gallery , Heligoland , island , seals , animals