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A quick morning snack for a starling.

Just a few days ago, I went for a small hike south of the Loonse & Drunense Duinen — a less-traveled area where nature still follows its own rhythm. Unlike busy forests that fall quiet when people arrive, here everything just… continues. That’s where I found this starling, perched high in a tree painted with the warm reds and golds of autumn, against a bright blue sky.

I grabbed my Canon 5D Mark IV with the Sigma 100–400mm, testing different compositions — and reminding myself (too late) to use my polariser for that extra sky contrast! Back home, this image stood out. The balance of colour was striking — the starling’s dark, iridescent feathers shimmering with hints of green and purple against that vivid backdrop. But what really made the shot special was the small detail: the moment the bird snatched a passing insect midair.

Starlings are quick and clever hunters; their eyes are adapted to detect the smallest movements even in bright light. No wonder they thrive in both cities and wildlands alike. To me, this photo captures that blend of elegance and instinct — nature’s little drama, frozen in a fraction of a second.

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After two weeks away, the journey back home felt almost longer than the trip itself. Unpacking, laundry, sorting things out… you probably know that feeling when vacation ends and “real life” piles up faster than your suitcase ever did. By the end of the day, I was ready for another vacation (not seriously, but you get me 😅).

And then, in the middle of the post-trip chaos, a small reminder of home arrived. A lovely little robin hopped into the garden as if to say, “Welcome back, where have you been?” For me, it felt like a quiet celebration: back to familiar surroundings, back to feeding the birds, back to the rhythms of daily life.

Robins have a special place in many cultures. In folklore, they’re often seen as messengers of hope, new beginnings, and sometimes even as guardians watching over us. Scientifically, they’re just as fascinating: their red breast is a territorial signal, and they’re among the few birds that will sing all year round — even through winter, when most others fall silent. That’s perhaps why they’ve long been seen as little bringers of cheer.

This robin, perched patiently, reminded me that home has its own kind of magic — sometimes quieter than a new destination, but just as worth noticing.

Canon 5D Mark IV + Sigma 100–400mm.

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