Nikon D300, Tamron 90 mm, F/11, S 1/3, iso 400, tripod, flash.

Last Friday, the winners were announced from this prestigious contest. The jury had a tough job with less than 14.000 entries form 38 countries. And my termites picture had won the first prize in the category “other animals”. I still have a big smile on my face. My girlfriend Misja also won a prize in the plants category. Here is the story behind my image.

In 2010 my girlfriend Misja and I visited the Malaysian part of Borneo: Sarawak. During a trip through the jungle of Kubah National Park we discovered a Waggler Pit Viper, a poisonous snake. And as you know: ladies first! So Misja had the first snake shoot. When I patinetly waited I saw a few yards away a huge colony of termites. To emphasize the movement I shot this image with a slow shutter speed. The soldiers, on both sides, were protecting the colony and didn’t move. Also curious about the snake image. Just take a look at the Borneo gallery.

Nikon D300, Nikon 70-200 mm op 110mm, iso 320, f/5.6, 1/4000, EV-1.7

Last summer I visited the largest national park in Austria: HoheTauern NP. Besides photography of the alpine flora, insects and landscapes also the alpine marmots were a daily topic. Near a visitor center, at an altitude of 2369 meters, the marmots are accustomed to people. It was wonderful opportunity for all sorts of behaviors to observe, but one of the best moments was  playtime moment. Marmot overlapping diving, running, and as a sort of sumowrestlers trying to push down each other. Well I could not restrain the laughter but luckily I also have photographed some of this funny moments.

Orangutan Outreach Netherlands holds on sunday 9 october its annual day in Primate Park “ the Apenheul”. There are several interesting lectures including one lecture of Willie Smits. I will also give a presentation on Borneo. Hope to see you! Follow this link to more information: click here