The dark night sky was illuminated by a faint glow of stars, providing a guiding light as we set sail on our journey. We were on assignment with the Najade for the Kampioen (ANWB), a flatboat, and with forester Arjen Postma, we were headed to one of the wildest places in the Netherlands: the Wadden Sea. This expanse stretches from Den Helder in the Netherlands to Esbjerg in Denmark, with a coastline of 500 km and an average width of only twenty kilometers. Its area spans 10,000 square kilometers, of which, about 7,500 square kilometers is tidal.

As we sailed out into the night, the water was perfectly still, and a sense of calming energy engulfed us. We were on our way to experience pure nature, and the anticipation was palpable. After hours of sailing, we made landfall on a sandbar, having arrived in the most dynamic area of our country, where incipient mussel beds could be potentially found. As the sun began to rise, we took in the beauty of the Wadden Sea in all its glory.

This series was created for the The Champion in issue 01/2022.

For National Geographic, I had the pleasure of doing a series on the ancient tradition of ‘wilderness flapping’. For centuries, this was the way to catch a variety of meadow birds. Today, a few permits have been granted to wilderness fliers who are using their skills for science. NIOZ, a scientific research institute, uses this method to place GPS transmitters on the backs of Bar-tailed godwits. The transmitter weighs no more than 5% of the bird’s body weight, so it has no ill effects.

By using the latest technology, scientists are able to observe the behaviour of the Bar-tailed godwit. Their movements tell a story of global warming, but also of our relationship with the Wadden Sea and the meadows. The solar panel on the transmitter ensures that the data collected from the godwits is available for a long time – information which is crucial for the survival of this species.

This series was posted in National Geopgrahic 09/2022 with text by Rob Buiter.

The Netherlands is a country filled with highways and asphalt, which has caused fragmentation of natural wildlife habitats in recent years. Despite our efforts to reconnect these habitats, fragmentation continues to occur. This has caused a lot of species to lose their homes.But it’s not all doom and gloom. For some species, highways can actually create new habitats. Take the A1 highway for example, which has become a home for Asian water buffalo. Other species, such as storks and red ants, can live alongside the highways without being affected.

I recently ventured out to see how nature is faring along our highways. At 70 mph, you wouldn’t expect to see a lot, but if you look closely, there’s a small piece of the natural world that has managed to survive. It’s up to us to ensure that biodiversity increases, rather than decreases. This can be done through measures such as flowery roadsides and creating nesting opportunities for birds. By doing this, we can create a new type of nature around our highways – one that helps, rather than harms, our wildlife.

This series was created for the De Kampioen in issue 06/2022.

The number of geese wintering and breeding in the Netherlands has grown significantly in recent years, and as a nature lover, I was thrilled. But during my studies, I found out that too many geese also bring issues. Farmers in particular experience great distress from the large flocks of birds: they eat the crops and trample the land. This contradiction is very interesting, as we do all we can to monitor and regulate the geese population, yet they continue to thrive on our soil. Through this series, I have explored this tension by taking a closer look into the lives of hunters, farmers, scientists, and others who are affected. Such a serious topic deserves due consideration.

Groene camera, jury report: “In this series we see how humans battle the large population of geese in our country. A wealth that is by no means appreciated by everyone. Again and again, man invents ways to limit nuisance from geese. From shucking eggs, gassing, setting up special refuge areas to directly shooting them. Eventually, many end up on a chef’s table. The series takes us through the various methods of control, but the photographer does not pass judgment. With his objective way of recording, he leaves it to the viewer to form his own opinion.”

This series was named a winner at the Groene Camera in 2020.