Martijn Loth Developer & teacher
Photos

Spring in the Ardennes

During spring the Ardennes are a beautiful place to visit. The forests are full of life and the rivers are flowing with fresh water. We also had exceptional weather, which made it even more enjoyable. As always, some pictures and some pretty bad text.

nature / travel

Hero image of Spring in the Ardennes

It's my birthday

For my birthday, we went to the Ardennes. We stayed in a room near the Baraque Fraiture, which is the highest point in Belgium. The weather was exceptional, and we had a great time. We went for a walk in the forest and saw a lot of birds.

Just the forest with nobody else around

Just the forest with nobody else around

24mmf/41/800sISO 100
The quiet of the woods

The quiet of the woods

70mmf/81/80sISO 500
Through villages...

Through villages...

70mmf/41/640sISO 100
and over hills.

and over hills.

45mmf/41/800sISO 100

Beavers!

When we saw all the marks of beavers in the landscape, we knew we had to see them. We went to a place where we could see them, and we were unlucky. We did however find some beautiful nature.

Sharp teeth!

Sharp teeth!

400mmf/5.61/500sISO 1600
On the lookout

On the lookout

400mmf/5.61/500sISO 1000
Three very rare black storks

Three very rare black storks

400mmf/6.31/500sISO 100
A shy Eurasian bullfinch

A shy Eurasian bullfinch

400mmf/5.61/640sISO 640

Our host - who was also a guide - told us that the beavers were probably at another location. We went there the evening and saw them! We planned on having a relaxing weekend, but ended up on the same spot in the early morning to see the beavers again. It was worth it!

Evening bath

Evening bath

400mmf/6.31/500sISO 5000

We were afraid to come too close. We didn't want to disturb them. They didn't seem to mind us, swimming very close to us. However, when wild boars came into the area, they started warning each other with their tails. That was pretty cool...

When wild boars came closer, a beaver hit the water with its tail to warn the others

When wild boars came closer, a beaver hit the water with its tail to warn the others

400mmf/5.61/500sISO 6400
The kept swimming until late in the morning!

The kept swimming until late in the morning!

400mmf/5.61/2000sISO 2000
If you look close, you can see the orange teeth

If you look close, you can see the orange teeth

400mmf/5.61/400sISO 6400

The end

We had a great stay and saw a lot of beautiful things. Here are some more pictures of the trip.

Squirrel digging something up

Squirrel digging something up

400mmf/6.31/400sISO 2000
Walking

Walking

24mmf/41/80sISO 125
Green on the forest floor

Green on the forest floor

42mmf/41/60sISO 125
Looking at the details

Looking at the details

70mmf/2.81/60sISO 100
Grabbing food for the little ones

Grabbing food for the little ones

400mmf/6.31/1600sISO 3200
Ribbit

Ribbit

400mmf/6.31/1600sISO 400
Worth the toughest climb of the year

Worth the toughest climb of the year

70mmf/6.31/200sISO 100