The nature reserve of Kampina has been the cradle of my passion for nature and birdwatching. Here I was wandering as a little boy with my binoculairs to find birds and to get away from the every day life. It is a very diverse landscape with heaths, moors, fens, forests and a natural stream. To the south of the reserve lies the area of Banisveld. A former agricultural area, it was transformed into new nature by scraping the top soil layer. Sheep were introduced as landscape engineers. This photo reflects my state of mind while walking in the area…….warmth, light, calmness, balance…. Who says nature has no value for human wellbeing?

Cheers,

Niels

Dear friends,

it is a cliché, but sometimes a photo can say more than a thousand words. The impact some photos have not only is a result of the aesthetic input of the photographer, but also of the story behind the photo. That is when the spectator understands and feels what is happening behind the ‘static pixels’. I try to make these kind of photos and an example is shown here. This shallow lake, or fen, has been drying out by nearby groundwater extraction for drinking water. The characteristic vegetation is slowly vanishing, despite restoration efforts. The politicians are debating for several years now about reducing or stopping the water extraction…..meanwhile the lake evaporates……

Niels