My grandfather had a big collection of nature encyclopedia. As a child, I couldn’t stop looking at all the pictures in these books. And of all the places described, it was always most enchanted by the islands of the Galapagos. They seemed otherworldly, and definitely not a destination you could get to. Ever.
Fast forward to 2016, when I was offered the possibility to go and explore the Galapagos in autumn! Needless to say, I did not hesitate for a moment.

So this is what icebergs look like! That was my first thought when we reached the Greenland coast. I’m pretty familiar with Svalbard’s glaciers, and they are stunning. But nothing compares to the huge glaciers of Greenland!

I just spent two weeks in one of my favourite places on the planet: Svalbard. I was privileged to guide a wonderful and brave group of photographers during the first week and showed them all the great things Svalbard has to offer. I’m sure they all returned back home with lots of lasting impressions!

Last week I spent some days with the Dalmatian pelicans in Greece, joined by a group of photographers that I was guiding. It was my third time with these great birds and I was looking forward to get wing-beaten again, every time they get up too close. Last year my glasses flew off my head and I’d had quite a headache. Yes, I wanted more of that!

Spectacular things happen in nature all the time. It’s hard to make a choice what you should go and discover first. But believe me, watching whales must be on top of your list!

When my buddy Ben Cranke invited me to join him on his Japan trip, I did not doubt for a second! He knew where we needed to be since he’d already spent a month in Hokkaïdo. The plan was to start with the snow macaques in Jigokudani and then fly to the island north of Honshu, Hokkaïdo. That’s the place to be to photograph red-crowned cranes, whooper swans and white-tailed and Steller’s eagles.

Presenting today: a colourfull collection of images I took in Hungary in June, mainly taken from fixed hides. June isn’t really the best time to shoot birds. The temperatures can rise very quickly in the morning, causing hard light and making the birds inactive during the biggest part of the day. It got really hot, and sleeping wasn’t on the menu!

With great company from Norway, France and Belgium, I guided a photo-tour to Portugal to photograph the great bustard and many other birds. The group endured the 15-hours sessions in the hides very well, entering one hour before sunrise and leaving an hour after sunset. What a view we had from those little wooden boxes!