Plan d'Eau de Plobsheim

 

I went to the Plan d'Eau de Plobsheim‬ in Alsace, France to enjoy the local waterfowl with Emilien Vadam and Valéry Schollaert, the most amazing ornithologist I had the chance to meet.

It is located only 15 km south of Strasbourg and has been created in 1970 to regulate the water level of the Rhine river and the Ill river. This place quickly began to attract many birds, and it is now a major birding hotspot in Alsace, especially during winter when thousands of ducks and other waterfowl can be seen.

During the week-end, we had the opportunity to see many species, including my first Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca) and Whooper Swans (Cygnus cygnus). We also enjoyed watching hundreds of Mute Swans (Cygnus olor), one of the most majestic birds on earth.

Mute Swans in flight.

The wingspan of a Mute Swan is 2 to 2.4 meters and they are the second heaviest bird able to fly! I like the heavy mood of this shot, and I hope you do too.

Love Nature.
Jonathan