WILD LIFE - 24 april 2013

Sunrise 06.22 - Sunset 20.55

When first light arrives on the plains many animals are still foraging. It is a moment of peace. Even the animal seem less shy. If you move gently and stay on a polite distance they let you observe them.

The Wild Boar ploughing the earth with its nose, the roe deer grazing. They seem to be everywhere and you ask yourself; where are they all staying during the day?

SPOONBILL - 19 april 2013

Sunrise 06.35 - Sunset 20.45

The birds are abundant and busy in these season of promises. Swans are searching for food and nest materials. Crystal clear drops are dripping from its beak. Soft orange on pure white its head. A royal animal of the lake. In the sky another great bird is passing by, a beautiful White Stork.

But that is not all. Side by side Cormorants and Spoonbills are nesting.

FOREST STREAM - 17 april 2013

Sunrise 06.39 - Sunset 20.41

In the forest the remains of the leaves of a forgotten season are blocking the rippling water of a creek. On the banks Wood Anemones flourish. Bright white above some deep and dark bends of the stream. Lesser Celandine is covering up large areas marshy woodland.

The banks of the creeks are fluorescent green. The color of mosses. A wonderful and magical tapestry of green. The forest and its streams are awakening of a long and cold sleep.

GREYLAG GOOSE - 5 april 2013

Sunrise 07.06 - Sunset 20.21

A small creek meanders through its valley. Shaped in time and changed into fertile meadows. A fine place to rest and feast. Tomorrow another day of flying due north. 

SPRING FLOWERS - 3 april 2013

Sunrise 07.10 - Sunset 20.17

On an estate of only a few hectares, early spring flowers are in full bloom. It makes you smile, all those delicate plants recovering from frozen soil. It is natures wonder season after season. And this season they are here again, Wood Anemone, Lesser Celandine and Snowdrops.

EARLY MORNING

Sunrise 07.12 - Sunset 20.16

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This early morning there were many birds to see, but the first animals I encountered were Roe Deer. They were foraging at the edge of a forest and a field, in the shadow where ground frost still covered the field. It must be a cold meal.

At the top of a tree a Song Thrush filled the air with a beautiful song of nature.

In the forest the early sunlight pierced past the trees illuminating the mosses on the ground. Some woodpeckers flew by. And when I left the forest behind quit a few larks were scattered on the plain, some on the ground some in the air singing and claiming their territory. At the edge some Wagtails were examining the ground, digged out by Wild Boar

On a peace of farmland a Hen Harrier and a Common Kestrel were hunting for prey and where farmland passes over into heather a Stonechat claimed its peace of heather. What an amazing early morning with so much to see, in spite of the cold, spring is here.

FARMING LAND – 25 March 2013

Sunrise 06.31 - Sunset 19.02

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The fields are still empty and dry. But the mosses seem to shine from within a deep, bright color of green. The promise of the color of the farmland when spring will enter and take over the barren grounds.

BEAUTIFUL TREES – 24 march 2013

Sunrise 06.33 - Sunset 19.00

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On the banks of a small stream many trees find a place to grow. It is a pleasant place to hike with great views. Accompanied by the sound of the water and the birds in the trees. The trees are still without leaves although their buds are getting thicker and thicker waiting to burst into the most beautiful green colors of spring. But not now, it is still cold and therefore the barks of the trees get all my attention. The beautiful and diverse structures and colors of tree bark.

BIRCHTREE - 17 March 2013

Sunrise 06.49 - Sunset 18.48

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When spring is almost there but winter still has a grip on the forests, the Birch trees bring light and hope.