Oostvaardersplassen

Wilderness to order

The Oostvaardersplassen is not an ordinary nature reserve. This is one of the largest unbroken wetland areas in Western Europe, sitting in the middle of a polder that was only drained in the 1960s. Konik horses, Heck cattle and red deer roam here largely undisturbed. That makes it one of the most interesting spots in the Netherlands for wildlife photographers, but you do need to know how to approach it.

Light and season

The area works all year, but the best moments are at the edges of the day. An early morning in autumn or winter brings mist over the reeds, backlight on the grazers and sometimes frost on the grass. In summer the light is already soft and low by six in the morning. Evening dusk in autumn is something special: the red deer are rutting, and the light turns warm across the open plains. Do not come in the middle of the day if you want to photograph animals. They will be lying in the shade or simply nowhere to be found.

Compositions and focal lengths

For the large grazers, a telephoto lens works best. A 400mm or longer gives you the room to keep your distance while still filling the frame. The animals are not tame, they are simply used to people along the path. Respect that boundary. For the landscape, particularly the reed flats and open water, a 70-200mm is plenty. The low horizon of the polder means cloud skies play a big part in your composition. Place the sky high in the frame when it is interesting. And low when it is not.

Practicalities

Access to the area is partly free via the walking routes and viewpoints along the edge. The core area is not open to the public. Staatsbosbeheer manages the reserve and organises guided excursions for those who want to go further in. You can park at the entrance on the Oostvaardersdijk near Lelystad. Allow for muddy paths after rain, especially in winter. Sturdy footwear is not a luxury.

Sources and further reading

• Staatsbosbeheer – Oostvaardersplassen
• Nieuw Land Erfgoedcentrum (context Flevoland)
• Wikipedia – Oostvaardersplassen