The weather is, or it was really wonderful. Some days in particular felt like summer. And Sunday was such a day, when I set off very early in the morning with my camera in hand (I arrived after dark) to see the nature reserve Vrbenské rybníky. This area is located near České Budějovice (it lies on the northwestern edge) and provides refuge for an incredible number of birds; e.g. herons, ducks, grebes etc. nest here. This wonderful reserve has an area of 245.8 ha and includes 4 large ponds and extensive areas of adjacent wetlands and meadows. The ponds and their shores, which provide excellent conditions for waterfowl, as well as the adjacent swamp alder and unique oak stands on the dikes, are highly valued. About 90 species of birds nest in the territory of the reserve, many other migratory birds (especially waterfowl) use it as a stop on their flights between the nesting and wintering grounds. They are also highly valued from the point of view of entomologists, as there is a very rich community of butterflies (831 species, for some it is the only known locality of occurrence in the Czech Republic).

However, many species of birds are very shy or, on the contrary, their nesting places are quite far from the places from which you can take pictures, so the possibility of taking pictures of them in the immediate vicinity is very small. The only way to achieve the desired result would be a very long lens and enough patience (time).