Visions of the Wild

ENVIRONMENTAL PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2010

In 2010 the image "Flight of the Ray" got a lot of attention from the public. With this image Florian was honored with the title "Environmental Photographer of the Year 2010" from CIWEM.

Simoultainiously, the photograph won second place under the category Behavior Animals, by the prestigious competition BBC - "Veolia Environnenment Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2010"

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CONSERVATION PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2008

The Conservation Photographer of the Year Award was created to recognize a special individual who has used his or her skills as a nature photographer to implement meaningful and measurable conservation efforts that inform and educate the public about environmental concerns and resolution opportunities. Nominations for this prestigious award are accepted each year as part of the Nature's Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International Awards competition.

Nature's Best website >>

OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR 2006

Under the category Most Likely to Save the Planet, Florian's book "Yellowstone to Yukon - Freedom to Roam" (The Mountaineers Books 2005) was honored with the title Outstanding Book of the Year 2006 by the Independent Publishers Awards>>

HORNED GUAN - El Triunfo Reserve, Mexico.

Highly Honored under the category "Endangered Species", Natures Best 2008.

"El Triunfo" Reserve, is a highly threatened ecosystem by logging and encroaching development; yet, is one of the last places where the horned guan exists.

The guan is listed under the endangered species list, as remaining populations are very small and severely fragmented; and giving continue threats, presumably declining. Their population is reported to be fewer than than 2500 individuals.

QUETZAL - El Triunfo Reserve, Mexico.

Highly Honored under the category "Endangered Species", Natures Best 2008.

While documenting the biological richness of El Triunfo Reserve for ILCP's RAVE (Rapid Assessment Visual Expedition) I was incredible fortunate to had the opportunity to photograph the Resplendent Quetzal -the iconic symbol of the cloud forest. Park guardians had placed a blind before the nesting period began, to allow photographers to capture the elusive bird.

After waiting for several hours for the bird to return and exchange turns with the female, I finally got lucky: a male quetzal finally appeared and perched at the entrance of the nest for a couple of seconds. A ray of light filtered down through the vegetation, illuminating its iridescent feathers.

As quiet as I could, I took the first images of the bird, and before the light disappeared I photographed the surroundings to later on create a panoramic. The result, this unique panoramic view of a quetzal in its natural environment.

GREAT GREY OWL - Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, Wyoming. USA.

Special Mention in the Banff Mountain Photography Competition 2004.

"Over the last few years, I have had several encounters with the majestic great gray owl. I had observed this particular bird the day before as it hunted in a meadow bordering the forest. The next day, I was out at dawn and discovered the owl silhouetted against the deep blue morning sky. Just as the first rays of the sun started to light up the silhouette, the owl lifted off and disappeared in the forest. I was disappointed.

Then the idea that the owl might return to its perch got my hopes up. It was a gamble, but I decided to wait. After one and a half hours, the owl suddenly appeared again at the forest's edge. My heart rate rose in anticipation. Just as I located the bird in my viewfinder, it dropped off the branch and glided towards me with a few strokes, rewarding me with a series of images which I had hardly ever dared to dream of".

GRIZZLY CROSSING- Wyoming. USA.

Special Mention in the Banff Mountain Photography Competition 2004.

"The Rocky Mountain grizzly bear population is in trouble. In the entire continental US, there are only little over 1000 grizzlies left. The species is at risk, especially considering that the number of breeding females producing young, has greatly diminished. Often female bears with young are pushed into marginal habitat by bigger bears, and end up close to settlements and highways, where they are more vulnerable.

Once roaming the forests and prairies over vast regions of North America, the grizzly was pushed back until its only refuge were the Rockies. Today, four-lane- superhighways , country roads, ATV trails and open-pit mines cut through its last remaining habitat.

This picture was taken in a hectic moment of confusion, blurred like a split second of shock. It represents for me the situation of a magnificent animal, that has become a refugee in its own kingdom".

NAMIB DESERT II - Namibia

Highly Honored in the category "Art in Nature" by the Nature's Best Photography Awards 2004.

As the sun was setting over the Namib Dunes, Florian was looking for abstract forms. "I was seeking the interplay of light and shadow" he says.

As the dunes caught the last light, he found his shot. "The low light brought out the contours of the ripples in the sand, so I used my telephoto lens to show this endless sea of lines. The air was silent and still- except for a gently blowing breeze".

GENTLE LION - Kalahari National Park.

Highly Honored in the category "Wildlife", Nature's Best Photography Awards 2001.

With the heavy spring rains, the grasslands of the Kalahari transform into a sea of tall, dense vegetation. These means food for herbivores like the zebra, springbok and oryx, but makes it difficult to see the savannah's great predators, which disappear completely in the high grass.

On an evening drive, however, Florian's brother Immanuel, caught up a glimpse of this reclining male lion. With the last rays of the evening sun in the cat's eyes, Florian composed this kingly portrait.

NAMIB DESERT - Namibia.

Highly Honored in the category "Landscapes", Nature's Best 2001. 

Some of the world's highest dunes can be found in the vast expanse of the Namib. Reaching nearly a thousand feet, the majestic dunes glow red because of the high level of iron in the sand.

Florian found himself retreating from a storm that deposited sand throughout his car, his clothes, his camera bag and his equipment. However, when the storm subsided, he was met by this reformed dune-scape, its windblown patterns flawless and untouched.

AFTER THE STORM - Glacier National Park.

Highly Commended by the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year 1999 competition in the category "Wild Places".

"While photographing black bears in Glacier National Park, in mid-September, I was caught in a thunderstorm. Lighting tore furiously the dark sky, but shortly after the sun broke through the clouds. A rainbow appeared as though to bring peace. I only had few moments, to capture the mood. Then the light was gone."

SECRETARY BIRDS - Etosha National Park.

Highly Commended by the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year 1999 competition in the category "Behavior Birds".

"One early morning in Etosha National Park, my brother and I saw the same pair of secretary birds hunting side-by-side in the grasslands, searching for insects and snakes to eat. One morning though, we realized that the birds weren't hunting: they were gathering small twigs and leaves. As soon as they had a beakfull each, they flew up together to the crown of a nearby torn tree, the thin branches bending under their weight.

Then with wings outstretched for balance, they bounced slowly up and down, dancing gracefully around one another as they wove their nest."