Pair of black-tailed godwit forages in the meadow by Natuurfotografie_simoneopdam

In the meadows in Waterland, meadow birds breed every spring: godwit's redshanks, lapwings and oystercatchers. Waterland is one of the last strongholds of meadow birds in the Netherlands. Unfortunately, here too, as elsewhere in the country, things are going badly for meadow birds. The numbers are declining year after year. This is an eternal shame.

Photographing birds, including meadow birds, requires a lot of patience. But using your car as a hide and simply parking along the road on spots where meadow birds regularly forage can go a long way.

Black-tailed godwit's (limosa limosa) arrive in the Netherlands in groups every year. They first spend one to two weeks 'fattening' after the long journey from Africa. They do so in groups in shallow pools. At some mpment, pairs are formed. If possible, godwits'll look for their partner from the previous year again. During my time in meadow bird protection, I learned a lot about the behaviour of the black-tailed godwit.

This pair of godwit forages together, The female, slightly lighter in hue, leads the way. This is the precursor to the mating ritual. After mating, a nest is made in the grass and 3-4 eggs are laid, which are incubated in turn by male and female.

This picture was taken in the morning, when the light still had a golden sheen. From the car with a Sigman 150-600mm telephoto lens on a rice bag.

Nice photo for a conspicuous spot in the house. Colour scheme: brown, beige, sand, olive green

Created by Natuurfotografie_simoneopdam.

This artwork is offered by Natuurfotografie_simoneopdam

My name is Simone Monique Opdam. Nature and nature photography are my passion. In my home region of Natuurpark, I can really indulge myself in this. I spent my youth in Het Gooi and I love photographing there too, especially in autumn. I love mountains, tall old trees, travelling and discovering and capturing new places. For me, photography is: holding on to the ephemeral.

Even at a young age, I could always be found in nature. I knew most wildflowers by name and borrowed my aunt's camera to take pictures. I photographed (analogue) mostly during holidays. Since buying my first digital SLR in 2008, I have been an avid all-round nature photographer with a preference for landscape and macro photography. I like to take photos that reflect my impression and the atmosphere of the moment, and photo series with a message.

After a career as a lawyer and a stint as a full-time mother, I got involved in several non-profit organisations in the field of nature conservation. In 2017, I started my own photography business. I teach macro and landscape photography workshops and occasionally organise and accompany small-scale photography trips.

I am an admirer of Italian painters likeTintoretto, Raphael, Caravaggio, the painting and philosophy of Romanticism (William Turner, Caspar David Friedrich) and British nature photographers Colin Prior and Peter Cairns and Indonesian 'photographer of light' Rarindra Prakarsa.

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