Portrait of a Veluws Heideschaap was made on the heathland of Nature Reserve "De Renderklippen" near the villages of Heerde and Epe on the Veluwe. The area is also referred to as the Dellen. The flock of sheep is called the "Schaapskudde Epe-Heerde. The flock numbers about 130 sheep in winter. The Veluws Heideschaap is an endangered Dutch Sheep breed. Since 2006, the Schaapskudde Epe-Heerde has been an Approved Breeding Center for rare domestic breeds.
The grazing of the sheep helps nature management of the heathlands by grazing off the heather bushes, and grass and saplings to prevent overgrowth of the heather.
This photo was taken in the fall when the sheep are in their full winter coats.
It was a misty morning, with a gray, dark sky, which gives an entirely unique atmosphere to the photo.
Please note that the photo has intentionally limited depth of field/depth. Only the front sheep is in focus, the sheep behind it fall into the blur which gives a nice depth of field, 3D effect to the photo.
Specialized in landscapes and nature, especially in the Netherlands. The Veluwe forests and the waterfront are common subjects, sometimes with the contrast of nature and human traces. Preferably photographed in the early morning or late evening, and under weather conditions that enhance the photograph... Read more…