On an old wheel, half-sunken in an open meadow, a little owl sits motionless among waving whitethroats. Its sharp gaze is pointed straight at the lens - curious, observant, but also with that characteristic owl's calm. The soft morning so , subtly illuminates the fine details of his plumage, while the fresh green and white of the whitetail fill the background with a summer softness.
This unexpected stage - a weathered wheel in the middle of the field - contrasts beautifully with the little bird of prey's alert posture. It is an interplay of natural beauty and rural simplicity, captured in a brief but powerful moment of contact.
The little owl is a shy, especially nocturnal bird, which is precisely why this view feels so special. A moment in which the line between man and wildlife briefly blurs. Looking straight into the eyes of an owl - it rarely happens, and you don't forget it.
                                
 
                                Nature is my greatest inspiration. With my camera, I try to capture wild animals in their purest form - unadorned, with respect and wonder. Each image tells something about the animal's behaviour, strength or vulnerability. My work is an ode to the beauty of wildlife, and.. Read more…
 Barn owl among the whitethroatMarielle Van den Elshout
Barn owl among the whitethroatMarielle Van den Elshout Two red deer on a forest pathMarielle Van den Elshout
Two red deer on a forest pathMarielle Van den Elshout Magical this pack of red deer in the early morningMarielle Van den Elshout
Magical this pack of red deer in the early morningMarielle Van den Elshout A tawny owl roosting in the crevice of a treeMarielle Van den Elshout
A tawny owl roosting in the crevice of a treeMarielle Van den Elshout Curious and alert squirrel stops in the middle of the trunk.Marielle Van den Elshout
Curious and alert squirrel stops in the middle of the trunk.Marielle Van den Elshout A little owl on an old cartwheel in a meadow among the velvet weedsMarielle Van den Elshout
A little owl on an old cartwheel in a meadow among the velvet weedsMarielle Van den Elshout Greylag goose beats its wings vigorouslyMarielle Van den Elshout
Greylag goose beats its wings vigorouslyMarielle Van den Elshout Eye to eye with the buzzardMarielle Van den Elshout
Eye to eye with the buzzardMarielle Van den Elshout Meeting the wolfMarielle Van den Elshout
Meeting the wolfMarielle Van den Elshout