It took me long waiting for an opportunity to photograph a nutcracker. Here in Poland it is not so easy, especially when you do not have too much spare time, unless one goes to Tatra Mountains over Morskie Oko Lake. I have read on the Internet and other birdwatchers I am acquainted with informed me that there is the best place to watch nutcrackers. Also when on the way to Morskie Oko I was told that this bird could be observed there with no problem as in this area the population of nutcrackers  can be counted in hundreds of individuals. After coming to the place it turned out that it is not so obvious. There was no one nutcracker on the lake. It is hard not to notice it because it does not belong to dainty-sized birds. Nutcrackers’ weight is about 200 grams and the wingspan is close to 60 centimeters. In terms of size it is like the jay, but with a powerful thick beak. After almost  two hours of waiting for a nutcracker one bird appeared initially. It kept a close eye on tourists counting on something to bite on when they had their meals. The nutcracker flew over their heads waiting for the right moment. And such opportunity came when a piece of sausage fell out of the handle of a small child. Without any delay the nutcracker which was gliding among tourists flew down for its trophy. Well, a nutcracker with a sausage in its beak, it is a very natural shot of this bird, I thought. But to commemorate this funny situation and extraordinary beauty of the location where this bird occurs, I have posted one photo in the gallery. Nutcrackers occur naturally in the forests of spruce, where nut-trees grow also. Practically, in our country it can be found in the mountains and in north-eastern Poland. Unfortunately, outside the region of Morskie Oko Lake it is very skittish, and it is worth going there  to be able to see this bird in the beautiful landscape of Polish Tatras. There were no chances, because of the bustle of tourists, to make the audio recording. Tourists puzzled by our shooting (there was one more hiker with a long lens, from France) of course also would wish they have their own photo of the nutcracker. At first they were absorbed by the beauty of Polish mountains, then their all attention focused on the bird. That is how it is with birds, it is easy to got sucked into and to have the desire to take own pictures of them. That is great, I did it! Another  gallery of new species is created on my website and its content is quite satisfactory.
Last minute news 04/2016
I have added the sound of the spotted nutcracker. While I was walking through the forests in the  area of Białowieża suddenly the specific voice of a spotted nutcracker could be heard. Fortunately my microphone was at hand and I could record new sounds to put on my website. It may seem to be funny that these photos come from Zakopane and the sound recording comes from Białowieża which is located farther than 600 km away.