If you’re here, chances are we share the same deep-rooted passion: a love for birds.
While I may not fit neatly into any specific category – birder, twitcher, or backyard enthusiast – I embrace a little bit of everything. I find joy in quiet birdwatching during a hike or from the comfort of a well-placed bird hide. At the same time, I won’t hesitate to travel a fair distance to photograph a rare bird someone else spotted in the wild.

But honestly? Some of my favourite moments occur right in my own backyard, camera in hand, watching the flurry of feathers around the bird feeders from a garden chair.

No matter the setting, photography is always the common thread. I see the world in frames and compositions. Whether I’m capturing an elusive bird of prey or a tiny Wren or Tit framed by perfect morning light, the joy is the same. It's not always about finding the rarest bird – it’s about capturing beauty in the moment.

My name is Richard. I’m a 65-year-old professional photographer, happily married and living in Belgium, though originally from the Netherlands. While my background is rooted in sports photography, I’ve found that with age comes a growing appreciation for the natural world – and birds have become my favourite subject.

Why this website?

I created this website as a central place to share and showcase my bird photography — without the quality loss that often happens on social media. It’s also my space to write about my experiences, opinions, and adventures in nature.

I hope you’ll take a moment to leave a comment or share your thoughts from time to time. I’m always eager to learn from others — and who knows, maybe I can surprise you with a few birdwatching tips and tricks along the way!

Why, where and when did I start birding ?

I’m still a newbie when it comes to birds and bird knowledge. A few years ago, I appreciated nature like anyone else — especially birds and wildlife — but capturing them was always secondary to my true passion: sports photography. I spent years focused on cycling, motorsports, and, more recently, figure skating.

Then, in January 2020, during the dark winter days and endless Christmas holidays, I felt a bit restless. My wife suggested going out to try to capture a rare bird — a Dusky Thrush (Turdus eunomus) from Siberia — that had been spotted in a local nature reserve nearby. It had even made the local newspaper!

As a sports photographer, I had some serious lenses — at least I thought so — and I made it my personal challenge to photograph this elusive bird. When I arrived at the reserve, my jaw dropped: over 75 photographers and birders from across Europe had gathered, equipped with incredible gear — 800mm, even 1200mm lenses — all in pursuit of this small, rare visitor.

Listening to these passionate birders talk about why spotting this bird here, in Oud-Turnhout between Antwerp (B) and Eindhoven (NL), was so special, my curiosity and enthusiasm skyrocketed. After a semi-successful attempt at photographing the Dusky Thrush, I was hooked. Birdwatching had captured me.

I quickly realised the old saying is true: the more you know your subject, the better your photographs will be. By Spring 2020, I started @Birds_in_Latin on Instagram to showcase my sightings. Now, every day, I’m learning more about these incredible creatures — and I'd like to share that enthusiasm with you.

So, check in now and then to see what’s new — I can’t wait to share the joy of birdwatching and bird photography with you. See you soon!

My latest topics

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