Not only the former death strip on the former German-German border has developed into a refuge for nature. The rapid protection of large areas of land in the new federal states following reunification also proved to be a stroke of luck for flora and fauna.
More than 30 years following the fall of the Wall, the population of endangered animal species has recovered. Wolves, lynxes, the almost extinct osprey and white-tailed eagle have made their home once more near the coast, and moose that have immigrated from Poland can even be found in eastern Germany.
Zoologist and photographer Axel Gomille has always been drawn to nature. “Wild animals were my great passion even as a child,” he writes in the foreword to his latest illustrated book “Germany’s Wild East”, which has just been published by Frederking & Thaler.
His photo expeditions were always preceded by extensive research. Where and when is which species best to photograph? He did get lucky shots, “but I had to work out a lot of motives.” He remained motionless for hours until an encounter took place.
Added to this are the difficulties of being on the road with the heavy technical photographic equipment in difficult terrain. Close-ups only succeed with telephoto lenses up to a focal length of 800 millimeters and with a solid tripod.
In his shots, he has always remained true to his motto of only photographing wild animals in the wild. For the reader, delving into his photo book “Deutschland wilder Osten” becomes a truly decelerating experience.
Further information: www.axelgomille.com and https://verlagshaus24.de/frederking-thaler
Also look at the following series of photos:
– Bavarian Forest: The untamed nature in the heart of Europe
– In the heart of nature: Walk through Tower Hill and the Grampians National Park in Victoria
– With these photos, Ansel Adams made Yosemite Valley world famous
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