In Flevoland, against the backdrop of a farm, I was face to face with an extraordinary sight: two turtledoves perched on the edge of a concrete wall. The male, visibly proud, put his best foot forward to impress the female. His terra-coloured plumage shone softly in the light as he moved gracefully. The female, slightly more expectant, watched, seemingly impressed by his charms.
These turtledoves were not casual visitors. The farmer of this farm regularly gave them maize and other food, so they had developed into a permanent feature in his yard. It was wonderful to see how his attention and care for these birds made a difference.
The moment felt special because turtle doves are becoming increasingly rare in the Netherlands. Their melodious call and graceful movements are something you don't easily forget. This experience is not only in my photo, but also described in my book Akkervogels, where their story is part of a broader picture of nature in the countryside.
Hello I am Hans . My technical training and work come in handy when it comes to my work as a photographer and filmmaker. The now many decades that I have been involved in photography give me the support and experience needed to know what is really special. Form and.. Read more…