Another site to fulfil my optimistic opinion that there is a place in the world where each British species of bird can be photographed easily, without hides or effort. Goosanders are not usually that approachable in the U.K., but at Lake Geneva in Switzerland they almost take bread from your hand as they feed amongst the mallards and coots.
Lake Geneva is a big place and I did not cover it all, but found Villeneuve at the eastern end to be excellent. As you enter Villeneuve from the east there is a Shell garage on the left, followed by a camp site. Park by the camp site and feed the meter (hard to avoid parking meters in Switzerland). There is a Co-op on the opposite side of the road if you need some bread.
Walk down to the shore, past the toilet block to the west of the harbour wall. This is the perfect spot. There are few reflections in the water from the distant shore and the floor is hard and dry so you can lie down for low angled shots. Throw your bread and gulls, ducks and goosanders will come flying in. In December the sun did not clear the mountains until 1100 hours. The goosanders are apparently present throughout the year.
Red crested pochard and great crested grebe were also photographable, but I found these more approachable at La Bouveret harbour a few kilometres clockwise around the lake. The boats get in the way a bit, but they are tame here. In December the sun only reached the harbour in the morning.
Lake Geneva is a big place and I did not cover it all, but found Villeneuve at the eastern end to be excellent. As you enter Villeneuve from the east there is a Shell garage on the left, followed by a camp site. Park by the camp site and feed the meter (hard to avoid parking meters in Switzerland). There is a Co-op on the opposite side of the road if you need some bread.
Walk down to the shore, past the toilet block to the west of the harbour wall. This is the perfect spot. There are few reflections in the water from the distant shore and the floor is hard and dry so you can lie down for low angled shots. Throw your bread and gulls, ducks and goosanders will come flying in. In December the sun did not clear the mountains until 1100 hours. The goosanders are apparently present throughout the year.
Red crested pochard and great crested grebe were also photographable, but I found these more approachable at La Bouveret harbour a few kilometres clockwise around the lake. The boats get in the way a bit, but they are tame here. In December the sun only reached the harbour in the morning.
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Lake Geneva December 2006
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