In the west of the Netherlands on the north of Haarlem, a medium-sized city near Amsterdam, lies the Hekslootpolder. It is a peat meadow area with a size of 1.63 km2. In addition to peat meadow, the area also consists of sand and clay soil. These diverse soil types provide a wealth of flora and fauna. And the variety of flora and the abundance of locks and puddles attracts many different birds.
I have a penchant for waterfowl, and in particular the Mute Swan (Cygnus olor), one of the six species of swans found on our planet. It is the largest breeding bird in the Netherlands, weighing up to 12 kilos. Although large in stature, it is a graceful bird with its long graceful neck, beautiful white plumage and orange beak. Mute swans can be seen all year round in the polder, and one or two pairs breed each year. The male keeps watch, the female incubates about 36 days on the five to eight eggs. The young remain with their parents for another year. A breeding pair often stays together for a lifetime.
Every year I cycle through the meadows in the area in search of swan nests. After that it is a matter of observing until the eggs are hatched. There’s nothing cuter than seeing all those fluffy white and gray youngsters, especially in the early weeks, when they’re ‘swimming along’ on mom or dad’s back. I finally managed to capture that moment on camera this year, with a breeding pair in the Hekslootpolder that successfully raised four youngsters this year.
Because the polder area is enclosed by roads, and there is a lot of recreation on the polder paths by walkers, runners and cyclists, the birds in the area have become accustomed to people, and therefore a lot less shy than in other places. Without disturbing them, I can get very close with my telephoto lens. A shelter or camouflage is not necessary. The best time to shoot for me is in the afternoon and evening, when the light is best from behind.
The great thing about birding is that birds are always and everywhere, free and for nothing. And if you get to know an area through and through over time, as a photographer you know exactly where to be and when, for the best chance of a successful photo. Patience is key. If you stay calmly in your place (sometimes for hours!) something beautiful always arises. Every time that I go out birding, I experience something special, without exception.
