It is unusual to see swans on the Danube so late in the season, shown here in early December.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 2nd December 2007
Half way between Ostrovu Mare and Hinova is another small village called Ostrovu Corbului, where, near the Danube, there are a lot of small lakes with swans and other wild birds.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 1st May 2008
A black stork near the village of Izvoare, on the left bank of the Danube.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 1st May 2008
The Black Stork Ciconia nigra is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae.
It is a widespread, but rare, species that breeds in the warmer parts of Europe, predominantly in central and eastern regions.
This is a large bird, nearly 1 m tall with a 1.8 m wingspan, weighing around 3 kilograms. It is all black except for the white belly and axillaries, and its red bill and legs. It walks slowly and steadily on the ground. Like all storks, it flies with its neck outstretched.
It breeds in large marshy wetlands with interspersed coniferous or broadlived woodlands, but also inhabits hills and mountains with a sufficient network of creeks. It builds a stick nest high in trees. This is a shy and wary species, unlike the closely related White Stork.
The Black Stork feeds mainly on fish and also amphibians and insects.
It has a rasping call, but rarely indulges in mutual bill-clattering when adults meet at the nest.
A male pheasant or Fazan on the hill near the Volintiru spring, on the way to the church of Gura Motrului.
There are many wild animals in the area, including rabbits, deer, snakes and so on.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 9th March 2008
In a grassy field, near the small village of Salutrac this female Pheasant or Fazan can be found in many places, unafraid of humans.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th April 2008