‘This landscape has been shaped by nature and men.’ Sometimes I wish it was not the case, that there would be a virgin bareness, a genuine wilderness in The Netherlands. Why would I wish that? I think it is my longing for freedom and independence. Where can one feel more freedom than in the wilderness, where human restrictions can be abandoned? Maybe when wolves will once again roam the Veluwe, I will regain that feeling here. Will I live to see it?

Take a look at my facebook page about my book for photos and updates on my forthcoming book about nature on military training areas.

Cheers, Niels

Although I have more affection with autumn than with spring, it is a pleasure when nature turns green, flowers sprout and the buzzing of the insects sounds. What is a better idea than to go to the south of Limburg, where spring starts a little earlier and moreover, the forest flowers are more spectacular than anywhere else? It was a treat to walk in the valley forests with wood anemone, oxlip and many other species. In the trees longtoed treecreeper and middle spotted woodpecker where calling. Like last year, most spectacular was the Bunderbos, what a wealth. It is difficult to capture its beauty in one image, and I decided to let it come together in an image of the Herb Paris, with its flower still in the bud. The sign of a beautiful promise of springtime.