A trip to the steep cliffs of Hammeren on Northern Bornholm turned into one of the more memorable wildlife. With my Sony A1 and 200–600 mm lens in hand, I had the pleasure of capturing Razor Bills and Common Guillemots perched along the sheer rock faces and in flight.
Bornholm becomes a haven for these seabirds during the spring and summer months, when both species arrive to breed along the island’s rugged northern coast. The Razor Bill (Alca torda) is striking with its deep black and white plumage and sharply defined beak, often seen diving with precision into the Baltic waters. Meanwhile, the Guillemot (Uria aalge), slightly more slender and chocolate-brown in hue, nests in close-packed colonies, their eerie cries echoing off the cliffs.
A great spot for photographing the birds are right where the red arrow is pointing.
To reach this fantastic viewing spot, I recommend parking at Hammerhavnen and following the narrow path northward. As the trail winds along the coastline, the cliffs rise steeply beside you—and so do the chances of encountering these fascinating birds up close, without disturbing their natural rhythm.
This was hands-down one of the finest opportunities I’ve had to observe and photograph both species. I’ve shared a selection of images below—hope they give you a sense of the wonder I felt watching these birds thrive on the edge of the sea.
Recently, I had the pleasure of photographing at Martin Andersen Nexøs Mindestuer, a cultural hub in the town of Nexø on Bornholm. The building is the childhood home of the famous Danish author Martin Andersen Nexø and today it is a museum dedicated to his life and work. Their exhibits offers a glimpse into the world of one of Denmark’s literary giants, whose works like Pelle the Conqueror and Ditte, Child of Man have left an indelible mark on Danish literature.
The Museum’s staff and volunteers are currently working on a new website to draw in visitors and renew interest in Nexø’s legacy. My task was to capture the charm of the old building. This is the result:
Today was another exciting adventure as I embarked on a car ride to Nexø, where I desired to capture a photo of a Mandarin Duck that had been spotted in a small local lake.
Upon reaching the lake, my patience was rewarded as I not only found the elusive Mandarin Duck but encountered both a male and a female gracefully gliding across the water. The male Mandarin Duck stole the spotlight with its vibrant and striking plumage, creating a visual spectacle that exceeded all expectations.
The male Mandarin Duck boasts an exquisite palette of colors that seems almost too surreal to be true. Its ornate and intricate feathers are a mesmerizing combination of deep purples, rich blues, and vibrant oranges. The distinctive “sail-like” crest on its head adds a touch of elegance to its appearance, while the intricate patterns on its wings create a harmonious symphony of colors.
Capturing the essence of this beautiful creature through the lens of my camera was a moment of pure joy and accomplishment. The sunlight played on its feathers, creating an array of reflections that enhanced the already breathtaking display of colors. It was a surreal experience, and the photos I managed to capture will forever serve as a cherished memory of my first encounter with a Mandarin Duck in real life.
Another photo session on Bornholm. This time we went for a trip to Opalsøen on Northern Bornholm. Here I captured the breathtaking beauty of this magical place blanketed in snow.
The photos are part of a photo task for Destination Bornholm and will be available in their image database.
Photos are captured using a Sony A1 and a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone.
Nestled within the expanse of the Baltic Sea (around 20km from Bornholm), the captivating archipelago of Ertholmene beckons. Positioned between Denmark and Sweden, this historic island group, granted nature park status by the Danish government in 2019, is a haven for bird enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Our adventure began when friends extended an invitation for an October getaway to Ertholmene, a proposal we couldn’t resist.
Short-eared owl (Mosehornugle in Danish)
Visiting the enchanting island group of Ertholmene in the autumn is a true adventure, albeit a challenge. The Baltic Sea can be quite unforgiving during this season, with its rough waters and unpredictable nature. To add to the excitement, a single boat makes the daily journey to and from the islands, navigating the rolling waves with a bit of sway. This unique mode of transportation only adds to the allure of Ertholmene, making the journey as memorable as the destination itself. However, a pill against sea sickness can come in handy!
The ferry to Ertholmene – The postboat “Peter”.
Ertholmene is an archipelago steeped in history and natural beauty. Comprising two main islands, Christiansø and Frederiksø, Ertholmene’s remote location has shielded it from the hustle of the modern world. Designated as a nature park by the Danish government, the islands provide a pristine sanctuary for both migratory and resident bird species, making it a paradise for birdwatchers. Ertholmene’s rich historical legacy, combined with its status as a protected natural haven, creates a unique destination where visitors can immerse themselves in the island’s past and relish the tranquility of the present.
Ertholmene is actually an old Danish Naval Base dating back to the late 17th century. Its enduring fortifications and formidable cannons can still be seen today and serve as a testament to its military heritage, even as it transforms into a tranquil destination for those seeking a historic retreat. Read more about Ertholmene here.
The view of Lille Tårn (Little Tower) on the island Frederiksø.
During my October visit, I had the privilege of spotting an astonishing 42 bird species, including the elusive short-eared owl and my first sighting of a Eurasian hoopoe. Below you can see some of my photos from the trip:
A quick capture of a sole Eurasian hoopoe (Hærfugl in Danish) on Christiansø island.
A male Eurasian bullfinch (Dompap in Danish).
A Common redpoll (Gråsisken in Danish).
A short-eared owl (Mosehornugle in Danish) on the hunt.
It was time for another photo session at Dueodde beach on Southern Bornholm. It was a beautiful autumn afternoon and my wife volunteered to model again.
This time I brought my Sony A1, with a Sigma 24-70 mm F2.8, and my new DJI Mini 3 Pro drone. This is the result:
Today I visited Dueodde Beach on the Eastern side of Bornholm island. It was pretty windy, but luckily the sun was out long enough for me to capture a few shots of the beach.
The photos are captured on a Nikon ZII and Anafi Parrot drone. I post-edited them using Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. And for the first time ever, I have utilized AI in my post-editing process.
I’ve spent two days in Bastemosen on Bornholm with a flock of 8 red-footed falcons. This species of falcon is a rare sight on the island of Bornholm, so seeing 8 in the air over the small marshy area of Bastemosen is a real treat.
A male red-footed falcon hunting an insect in midair.
About the Red-Footed Falcon
The red-footed falcon (Falco vespertinus, or Aftenfalk in Danish) is a small migratory bird of prey that breeds in Eastern Europe and Asia, and spends its winters in southern Africa. It is named after its distinctive red legs and feet, which set it apart from other falcons.
The male has a slate-blue head and back, while the female has a brown back and a creamy-white underside with dark streaks. Red-footed falcons primarily hunt insects, but will also take small birds and mammals.
A female red-footed falcon flying past above my position in the bird tower.
About Bastemosen
Bastemosen is a beautiful and unique natural area located on the Danish island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea. It is a wetland habitat that encompasses marshes, ponds, and small streams, and is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. The area is particularly known for its rich birdlife, with several species of waterbirds, raptors, and passerines present. Bastemosen is a popular destination for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts, who come to observe and enjoy the tranquility of the area. In addition to its ecological importance, the site also has cultural significance, with traces of prehistoric settlements and burial sites found in the surrounding landscape.
For the first time in my life I have experienced the Northern Lights. What makes this an even more magical sight is that fact that it happened on the island of Bornholm, where I live.
During the day, reports indicated there would be a high chance of seeing the lights from various places in Denmark, but it rarely reaches the latitude of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea. However, this night it turned out to be different. Around 10PM I was ready and waiting near Vang with my Nikon Z7II camera. I only waited a short while before the green lights appeared over the horizon and soon the dancing lights filled the Northern sky. What a fantastic and magical sight!
A composite photo taken with the Nikon Z7II + Samyang 14mm F2.8 and Sigma 35mm F1.14 Art.
I’m a sucker for new technology and the new mirrorless technology for cameras have been tempting me for some time. In December 2020 Nikon’s new flagship mirrorless camera – the Nikon Z7ii – was released and I became one of the first in Denmark to get hold of it.
Nikon Z7ii
Two years ago I switched from Nikon’s DX format to the full frame (FX) D810. The change also meant I started shooting in RAW, rather than .jpg, which involved not only learning a new camera, but also a whole new post-processing technique in Lightroom. My first photo session with the D810 was quite underwhelming because I couldn’t figure out why my photos looked so poor in the LED-display on the camera.
However, after learning the power of the RAW-format and spending lots of hours with Adobe Lightroom I slowly learned how to utilize the powerful Nikon FX-camera – and I have loved it ever since. During those two years, several of my photos have been used in magazines, in ads and on various websites, so I must have done something correct with both my shooting and edits.
Low light test with the Nikon Z7ii at the local harbour.
So switching to a new technology again, the mirrorless Nikon Z7ii, I am very prepared for a learning curve yet again. So I’ve started testing it in various situations with low light, wildlife and landscape photography.
Astrophotography with the Nikon Z7ii
On my birthday the skies suddenly cleared for a few hours at night, which gave me the chance to test the camera at astrophotography. I drove to Kultippen (a barren area on Bornholm island) and captured this selfie:
Kultippen, Bornholm
The photo was captured with a Samyang 14mm lens, which was fitted with an adaptor to the camera. Overall it seems to perform quite well.
Wildlife photography with the Nikon Z7ii
The following day I went for a trip in Almindingen forest on Bornholm, where I captured a small heard of bison amongst the trees using a Sigma 150-600m lens:
Bison crossing a clearing in the forest.
I experience quite a few problems with the auto-focus and the camera’s ISO went crazy. In the shot above I had the camera on auto-ISO and it set it to a whopping 8000. Luckily I could use Tropaz DeNoise AI to reduce the noise and it was acceptable for Instagram.
A 2nd bison crossing the clearing.
I took another shot of a 2nd bison in almost the same light with a fixed ISO of around 1200. It gave some post-processing noise in Lightroom, since I had to add more exposure. All in all, I think the camera was a bit overzealous with the ISO and lower could have done the trick.
Spotted some hikers in the forest.
Landscape photography with the Nikon Z7ii
On the way home I stopped at the ruins of a medieval castle to test the camera in the foggy environment. The result was quite decent, so I think the learning curve with regular landscape photography will be quite easy.
Lille Borg (English: Little Castle) in Almindingen Forest, Bornholm.
