Shorties in Eemnes

Diversity in the polder

One of our favorite spots for photography adventures is practically in our own backyard—the Eempolder. Here, the black-tailed godwit, western yellow wagtails, swans, ducks, and even the elusive stoat grace us with their presence. It's no wonder we find ourselves drawn here, especially when we have little time to go elsewhere.

Yet, winter photography in the polder tends to be a bit quiet. With the exception of February, when boxing hares provide splendid photographic opportunities, the season is often marked by its cold, gray, and barren landscapes. Most birds migrate to warmer areas, and the few that linger aren't always the most photogenic subjects.

A lucky find resulting in new opportunities

However, this year brought an intriguing discovery. Following a particularly slow afternoon, Greg, on his way home, spotted a bird of prey perched on a post in the field. Could it be? Indeed, it was a short-eared owl! What a spectacular sight!

After capturing several shots, Greg made his way home as dusk settled in. We realized we had stumbled upon something special so close to home. We learned that other people were aware of the owl's choice of the Eempolder as its winterhaven and had visited it multiple times. However, they had not had such luck. Clearly, Greg's picture had become a highlight!

With this new information in mind, we began visiting the polder more often during the fall and winter. Sometimes, we saw the owls; other times, we didn't. It soon became evident that the owls prefer windless afternoons, the perfect conditions for spotting them gracefully hunting in the polders near Eemnes. On one occasion, two owls engaged in a mid-air skirmish right above Greg. So, is the polder truly a quiet place in winter? Perhaps not after all :)

Short-eared owl

Flying short-eared owl