The last day we spend birding around the Prespa lakes. The lakes are at high altitude. They are mainly known among bird watchers for their pelicans, but for me it is also nice to see completely different villages. The White-eyed Duck was the nicest sighting for me. The area is also very suitable for looking for plants. With the help of Plantnet and observation, I can put a name to a number of plants. No guarantees of course.
Corn bunting
Grauwe gors
Emberiza calandra
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5 TC, 1/2500 sec at F6.3, ISO 200, distance 15.4 m
The photo shows a Corn bunting (Emberiza calandra). It is a bird in the order Passeriformes and the family Emberizidae. The photo was taken at 08:58 on Wednesday May 13, 2026.
Queen of spain fritillary
Kleine parelmoervlinder
Issoria lathonia
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5 TC, 1/2000 sec at F5.6, ISO 250, distance 2.58 m
The photo shows a Queen of spain fritillary (Issoria lathonia). It is a insect in the order Lepidoptera and the family Nymphalidae heliconiinae. The photo was taken at 09:21 on Wednesday May 13, 2026.
Cypress spurge
Cipreswolfsmelk
Euphorbia cyparissias
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5 TC, 1/2000 sec at F5.6, ISO 500, distance 1.9 m
The photo shows a Cypress spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias). It is a plant in the order Malpighiales and the family Euphorbiaceae. The photo was taken at 09:24 on Wednesday May 13, 2026.
Chalk-hill blue
Bleek blauwtje
Lysandra coridon
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5 TC, 1/2000 sec at F5.6, ISO 500, distance 1.865 m
The photo shows a Chalk-hill blue (Lysandra coridon). It is a insect in the order Lepidoptera and the family Lycaenidae. The photo was taken at 09:25 on Wednesday May 13, 2026.
Drooping brome
Anisantha tectorum
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5 TC, 1/2000 sec at F5.6, ISO 800, distance 2.43 m
The photo shows a Drooping brome (Anisantha tectorum). It is a plant in the order Poales and the family Poaceae. The photo was taken at 09:32 on Wednesday May 13, 2026.
Dalmatian pelican
Kroeskoppelikaan
Pelecanus crispus
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5 TC, 1/2000 sec at F5.6, ISO 320
The photo shows a Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus). It is a bird in the order Pelecaniformes and the family Pelecanidae. The photo was taken at 09:38 on Wednesday May 13, 2026.
Prespa lakes
Apple with iPhone 16 Pro back triple camera 6.765mm f/1.78, 1/9091 sec at F1.8, ISO 80
The lakes are partly shallow, which offers many opportunities for water birds. There were many large reed warblers in the reeds.
The photo was taken at 10:08 on Wednesday May 13, 2026.
Resting pelicans
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5 TC, 1/2000 sec at F5.6, ISO 320
There are many pelicans in this area, you often see them use the thermals to find a new spot. But they always rest in groups.
The photo was taken at 10:10 on Wednesday May 13, 2026.
Yellow asphodel
Gele affodil
Asphodeline lutea
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5, 1/2000 sec at F4.5, ISO 1000, distance 2.2 m
The photo shows a Yellow asphodel (Asphodeline lutea). It is a plant in the order Asparagales and the family Asphodelaceae. The photo was taken at 10:45 on Wednesday May 13, 2026.
Pygmy cormorant
Dwergaalscholver
Microcarbo pygmeus
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5, 1/2000 sec at F4.5, ISO 400, distance 36.3 m
The photo shows a Pygmy cormorant (Microcarbo pygmeus). It is a bird in the order Suliformes and the family Phalacrocoracidae. The photo was taken at 11:20 on Wednesday May 13, 2026.
Agios Achillios
Apple with iPhone 16 Pro back triple camera 6.765mm f/1.78, 1/6536 sec at F1.8, ISO 64
Around the 10th century, Tsar Samuel of Bulgaria had a fortress and palatial complex built here. He also had the Basilica of Agiod Achillios built. Only walls remain of all that, but there is still a small tourist village.
The photo was taken at 11:35 on Wednesday May 13, 2026.
Ferruginous duck
Witoogeend
Aythya nyroca
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5, 1/2000 sec at F4.5, ISO 500, distance 108 m
The photo shows a Ferruginous duck (Aythya nyroca). It is a bird in the order Anseriformes and the family Anatidae. The photo was taken at 12:38 on Wednesday May 13, 2026.
Red vetchling
Lathyrus cicera
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5, 1/2000 sec at F4.5, ISO 1250, distance 1.605 m
The photo shows a Red vetchling (Lathyrus cicera). It is a plant in the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. The photo was taken at 12:39 on Wednesday May 13, 2026.
Eastern olivaceous warbler
Oostelijke vale spotvogel
Iduna pallida
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5, 1/2000 sec at F4.5, ISO 1250, distance 16.8 m
The photo shows a Eastern olivaceous warbler (Iduna pallida). It is a bird in the order Passeriformes and the family Acrocephalidae. The photo was taken at 12:57 on Wednesday May 13, 2026.
Silver sage
Salvia argentea
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5, 1/2000 sec at F4.5, ISO 3200, distance 3.01 m
The photo shows a Silver sage (Salvia argentea). It is a plant in the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. The photo was taken at Prespes Municipal Unit, Western Macedonia, Greece at 14:41 on Wednesday May 13, 2026.
Tufted milkwort
Kuifvleugeltjesbloem
Polygala comosa
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5, 1/2000 sec at F4.5, ISO 4000, distance 3.82 m
The photo shows a Tufted milkwort (Polygala comosa). It is a plant in the order Fabales and the family Polygalaceae. The photo was taken at Prespes Municipal Unit, Western Macedonia, Greece at 14:52 on Wednesday May 13, 2026.
Chapels
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5, 1/2000 sec at F4.5, ISO 2000, distance 24.3 m
There are many mini-chapels along the road. According to the internet, there has often been an accident, but the chapels can be placed as a memorial, or to thank that it ended well.
The photo was taken at 15:22 on Wednesday May 13, 2026.
Protected species
Exact location and time are withheld to protect these species.
Lady orchid
Purperorchis
Orchis purpurea
OM-1 Mark II with OLYMPUS M.150-400mm F4.5, 1/2000 sec at F4.5, ISO 8000, distance 5.02 m
The photo shows a Lady orchid (Orchis purpurea). It is a plant in the order Asparagales and the family Orchidaceae. The photo was taken on Wednesday May 13, 2026.