A second day at Strødam Engsø

At the break of dawn, my friend @mariusfolkmann and I journeyed from Bornholm to the lake Strødam Engsø near Hillerød, Denmark. Our goal? To witness Ospreys in action.

The Osprey, a master of the skies, boasts a wingspan of up to 6 feet. It is an impresseive predator with a keen eyesight. I flies above the water seeking the glimmer of fish below. When it spots its prey, it dives, talons outstretched, breaking the surface in a violent splash. Its reversible outer toes and barbed pads ensure a secure grip on slippery catches. This is the sight we wanted to capture with our cameras.

Arriving at the lake at 10 AM, we settled into our chosen vantage point, cameras at the ready, eagerly awaiting the Ospreys. Hours passed, interrupted only by the occasional call of 4-5 Ospreys soaring above us. However, none descended to catch fish. Yet, just as we prepared to depart, we caught a glimmer of movement in the sky above us.

In a dazzling display of agility and precision, a lone Osprey descended, its powerful wings slicing through the air as it honed in on its target below. With a graceful dive, it plunged into the water, emerging moments later with a silvery prize firmly clasped in its talons.

This was it! We captured the moment we had traveled hours for. Our cameras’ SD cards now contain the precious photographs we sought and hoped for. The images on this page are the selected few that I chose for editing and publication. I hope you enjoy them.

Osprey at Strødam Engsø

The majestic osprey, known as “Fiskeørn” in Danish, has returned to Denmark for the summer season, marking a significant event for wildlife enthusiasts across the country. As news of their arrival spread, my social media feeds overflowed with breathtaking images captured by fellow Danish photographers, showcasing the ospreys in their natural habitat at Strødam Engsø near Hillerød.

Filled with excitement and armed with my camera gear, I embarked on a journey to this serene haven of nature over the weekend, eager to capture my own glimpse of these magnificent creatures. What awaited me surpassed all expectations.

Here’s a glimpse into the moments I captured on that memorable day:

A Tawny Owl in the Wild

Yesterday, I had the wonderful opportunity to spot a Tawny Owl (Natugle or “Night Owl” in Danish) in the wild, all thanks to a helpful tip from a fellow wildlife photographer!

The Tawny Owl, with its soft, mottled brown feathers and large, round eyes, is a master of camouflage, blending seamlessly into its woodland habitat. Its nocturnal habits and stealthy nature make it a challenging bird to spot, let alone photograph.

After my second attempt at finding this elusive bird, I was thrilled to finally catch sight of it among the trees. It’s moments like these that remind me why I love photography – the thrill of the search and the beauty of nature.

Notice how the owl’s right eye is half-open. Owls have the ability to sleep with one eye open, a phenomenon known as unihemispheric slow-wave sleep (USWS). It is a remarkable adaptation essential for their survival, allowing them to maintain vigilance while resting, keeping one hemisphere of their brain active and alert to potential threats, even as the other hemisphere enters a state of deep sleep. This is also referred to as “peeking.”

A wintertrip to Opalsøen

A wintertrip to Opalsøen (Opal Lake)

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.

Birdwatching on Ertholmene

Birdwatching on Ertholmene

Birdwatching on Ertholmene

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.

Map of Ertholmene (source)

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.

New equipment and a trip to Dueodde

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:

The Glyptotek in Copenhagen

A visit to the Glyptotek in Copenhagen

I recently revisited the Glyptotek in Copenhagen to experience their newly opened ‘Amarna – City of the Sun God’ exhibition. I have read extensively on this specific period of ancient Egypt and always welcome the opportunity to see the ancient artefacts from this lost city.

Poster for the Glyptotek's Amarna exhibit

I brought my trusty Nikon Z7II camera and using the FTZ adapter to attach a Sigma 35mm Art 1.4 lens. In this post you can read more about the Amarna period, the Glyptotek and see my photos from the various exhibitions.

The Amarna period

The Amarna period in ancient Egypt, lasting from 1353 to 1336 BC, was a time of significant religious and political change. Pharaoh Akhenaten, who ruled during this time, abolished the traditional polytheistic religion and introduced a new monotheistic religion centered around the worship of the sun disk, the Aten. A new capital city, Akhetaten (now known as Amarna), was built where Akhenaten and his queen Nefertiti were buried. This period is also known for its distinctive art style, which featured a new realism and a focus on the human form.

Entrance to the exhibition
Broken bust of Akhenaten

In Glyptotek’s exhibition, parts of the lost city are brought to life with recreations of a temple wall, a column in a chapel and a palace floor. Photos, drawings, and a 3d animated video provide an insight into life in the magnificent city.

Statue of Akhenaten - Taken with a Nikon Z7II + Sigma 35mm Art 1.4
Taken with a Nikon Z7II + Sigma 35mm Art 1.4
Taken with a Nikon Z7II + Sigma 35mm Art 1.4

You can read more about the exhibition ‘Amarna – City of the Sun God’ on The Glyptotek’s website here.

The Glyptotek

The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek is an art museum in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is located near the city center and is known for its collection of ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman art, as well as a large collection of French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. The museum also features a beautiful winter garden. It was founded by the brewer Carl Jacobsen in 1888.

Taken with a Nikon Z7II + Sigma 35mm Art 1.4 (ISO800, F5.6, 1/60)

There are plenty of opportunities to take great photos in the Glyptotek’s various exhibitions. I only had a few hours, so I focused on the period of ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome.

Read more about the Glyptotek and their exhibitions on the website www.glyptoteket.com

My photo is on Nutella’s jars

My photo is on Nutella's jars

Last year I was contacted by a Swedish marketing company working for Nutella. They had spotted my landscape photography of the Opal Lake on Bornholm and wanted to buy it for an upcoming marketing campaign for Nutella.

I sold them the rights to use the image for the campaign, and now my photo can be found on Nutella glass jars all over Denmark. This is something I’m quite proud of with my photohraphy.

The original photo of Opalsøen

I switched from Nikon to Sony

I switched from Nikon to Sony

Well, at least for wildlife photography. I’ve been a Nikon shooter since I ventured into photography almost 12 years ago. I didn’t see myself ever owning anything besides a Nikon camera, but that changed when I switched to mirrorless.

I started photographing birds with my Nikon D810 and took some amazing photos of birds in flight. However, I also felt it was time for a camera upgrade and I wanted to switch to the new mirrorless technology.

So I selected the new Nikon Z7II with the FTZ adapter, so I could still use my Sigma 150-600 mm C lens. I eventually wanted to upgrade to more Z glass down the road, but at least I invested in a new camera.

At first, I loved the camera. It’s perfect for landscape, product and portrait photography. I even invested in a 105 mm native Z macro lens. However, I soon realized that something was off with fast-moving objects – like birds.

Don’t get me wrong, I could still get photos of birds in flight, but if I took a lot of photos I could only find a few keepers. At first I believed it was my lack of skill or knowledge of the camera, but after trying for 1½ years I finally decided to try something else.

One evening I was browsing YouTube for advice and tips for wildlife photography and I stumbled upon Bayou Josh’s video “Addressing the Elephant in the Room”, about his switch from the Nikon Z9 flagship to Sony. After watching this video I realized how far ahead both Sony and Canon were with the auto focus system and I decided to invest in a new camera just for wildlife photography.

After a lot of research, I finally decided on the Sony A7 IV with a Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G Oss lens. I’ve tested this camera out twice this weekend and I don’t see myself ever again picking up the Nikon Z7II for wildlife photography. This is a great camera + lens combination and I can’t wait to test it out even more!

Here are two of my first photos with the Sony A7 IV camera. It just snapped to the bird – or even the bird’s eye. Even in flight, I got at least 8-9 keepers for every 10 shorts (sometimes all were keepers).

New camera – Nikon Z7ii

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.