As a full-time landscape photographer, I normally travel the world a lot. But obviously, because of COVID-19, last year I was mainly at home in the Netherlands. We’re currently in spring again and more than 1 year has passed. But spring is a magical season, especially here in the Netherlands. There is so much beauty to see (and to photograph): our tulip season, the lush greens everywhere, the cute animals, the windmills, and our beautiful forests, some covered with many flowers.
This collection of many images will hopefully transfer that spring feeling from me to you.
Please note that most of these images were taken in (very) early morning with great conditions. As a professional photographer, I love these conditions and will wake up for them every single time. Because yes, it’s the Netherlands. We’re not known for our ‘beautiful’ weather. Because you’ll also often have grey days with much rain. But when you’re out there in the early morning and the first sunlight shows itself with a layer of fog covering the landscape, you forget all the previous rainy days.
Please enjoy this series of spring photos taken over 2 seasons of spring (2020-2021) in the Netherlands.
#1 Garlic Road
Some forests have completely white floors full of white garlic. And yes, it really does smell like garlic. But I like it.
87points
#2 Split
You’ll find lots of tulip fields around the country in April–May. They’re always beautiful to see (and to smell).
78points
#3 Blue Carpet
74points
#4 Horse Kiss
Spring is the time when you will see all the animals playing outside, especially on early mornings. Horses, cows, sheep, and many birds with their little chicks. The sounds of them in the early morning when they are the first to wake up always put a smile on my face.
73points
#5 Blossom
In spring, all our trees and forests start to explode with colors. Lush green forests, blossoming trees, rapeseed, wild garlic, or even forests full of wild hyacinths. It’s really worth it to get up early and spend a morning in the fresh air of the forest and soak up all the smells and wait for the first sunlight.
69points
#6 Being Small
A goose spreading its wings on an extremely foggy and magical morning in the North East of the country.
68points
#7 Light Explosion
64points
#8 Outsider
‘Different’ tulips will later be removed by the tulip growers. But I find them the most beautiful to photograph.
63points
#9 Green Path
In spring, forests and tree lanes turn to lush green. And when the first sun rays hit through, it’s simply magical.
63points
#10 Pink Forest
Some of our forests have many rhododendron flowers. They start to bloom at the end of May. When they’re at their peak, the color is beautiful and they smell extremely nice.
63points
#11 Poppy
Right after the bloom of the tulips, you’ll find many poppies in the Dutch countryside. This one was photographed right after sunset. You can see the (out of focus) sun in the background.
59points
#12 The Cheese Factory
And last but not least, one of my favorite places in the Netherlands: the famous house & cheese factory at the ‘Zaanse Schans’ windmill park. It looks at its best during spring, with the beautiful greens and sometimes even a (rare) flower!
59points
#13 Schermer Mills
57points
#14 The Different One
Sometimes you’ll find interesting flowers in between the tulip fields, like this checkered lily, which is very rare.
53points
#15 Dutch Fairytale
51points
#16 Full Moon
The full moon above a red tulip field.
50points
#17 Swan Dream
A swan spreading its wings on a dreamy morning.
49points
#18 Hans & Gretel
47points
#19 Foggy Blossoms
You’ll see all kinds of different blossoming trees in spring.
46points
#20 Bluebell Forest
There are even some tiny forests full of wild hyacinth flowers.
44points