HIGHLY COMMENDED CATEGORY LAGE LANDEN
Iris Otte | Early Morning Light

Name: Iris Otte
Picture title: Early Morning Light
Category: Lage Landen
Nationality: The Netherlands
Occupation: I am not a full-time photographer, I have another occupation.

Technical information
Camera: Nikon Z9
Lens: 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens
EXIF: 1/1250 sec, f7.1, ISO 1800, 180mm
Accesories: None, handheld

Iris Otte says:

In late spring, I set out with my bike and camera to visit my local patch, ‘Polder Arkemheen’, for a peaceful early morning in the field. The forecast called for thick fog and a stunning sunrise; the kind of mornings I cherish most out there.

This photo was taken at the start of my morning out. The scene was serene, with soft lighting and the sounds of birds filling the small nature reserve near my home.
A Black-Tailed Godwit perched on a wooden fence fairly close by, and I chose to capture the broader scene, aiming to show the beautiful atmosphere surrounding it. To me, this photo reflects the typical Dutch nature, a Godwit on a wooden fence, bathed in atmospheric light and a green polder landscape. I genuinely hope the endangered national bird of the Netherlands will flourish for many years to come.