This shot of a snipe in the soft evening light is a victory for me. For years I tried to properly capture this shy, almost invisible marsh bird. Invariably it was too far away. Until this moment.
It was a windless evening, the sun was low, colouring the landscape in warm hues. I was at the edge of a shallow body of water. Everything was silent - not a ripple on the water. And then he came: the snipe. Quietly, cautiously he stepped into the open water, looking for food. His reflection mirrored itself on the smooth surface, as if moving through a painting.
I held my breath and followed his movements with the camera. No quick action, no moment of flight - just calmness. For the first time, I got a sharp, frame-filling shot of him.
This photo means more to me than just a successful image. It is a reminder of a beautiful moment and of the quiet happiness you only find when you are still long enough to let nature speak to you.
My name is Jasper Kok, I am 18 years old and have been passionate about nature photography since I was 11 years old. What started as a simple curiosity about the nature around me soon grew into a real passion.
From a young age, I spent countless hours outdoors,..
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