landscape with tree in early morning light

by Lex Schulte

An early sunrise in the Hatertse vennen near Nijmegen, Gelderland. When fog is predicted and a cold clear night, my alarm clock goes off early the next morning. Time to go, camera along, thermos filled. And although I am often to be found in this nature reserve, every time it is a surprise what you find. The light is different every time and nature never bores. This time the fog was a bit disappointing, but the sky colored beautifully and there was still some haze above the fens. Especially if you can hide the rising sun behind a tree, the fog is nicely visible. The Overasseltse en Hatertse Vennen is a beautiful area with forest, vast heathlands and you guessed it.... fens! Besides deer, rabbits, squirrels and foxes, badgers and the rare garlic toad live here. Once this area, southwest of Nijmegen, was created by the Waal and Maas rivers. Both rivers are now some distance away, but because of the river clay they left behind you can now enjoy the more than 20 fens near the big city.