Moments for eternity

The photographer is not only a nature lover, but also a proven expert on the birdlife on the Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula. For more than 45 years, the former civil engineer and architect has been involved in documentary photography in the field of ornithology. Today, he is a full-time nature photographer with his own excursions, bird warden on the bird protection island of Kirr and state coordinator for the white-tailed eagle in the project group for large bird protection at the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern State Office for the Environment and Nature. But even after all these years, nature still fascinates him every day. Above all, the large birds - cranes and sea eagles - are his favorites.

At dawn, the flock of birds comes to life. As the sun rises, the cranes set off noisily to find food and gather energy for the journey ahead. Again and again, loud cooing and trumpeting accompany the sound of the wind. Mario's eyes light up with anticipation: "There must be 10,000 birds out there," he says and sets up his tripod. The sun is not yet visible, but it is slowly getting darker. Wisps of mist waft over the beach grass and the gray-blue night gives way to a shallow, pale yellow light. The brighter it gets, the livelier the birds become. The tension before setting off is palpable. »This is the best time for great nature shots«, Mario whispers to the participants of his photo workshop. »The birds are about to break and you have the light of the sunrise. If we are really lucky, we might even see a deer running through the lagoon while the cranes fly overhead." And indeed, the dark silhouettes of several deer can be seen in the silvery wafts of mist. With every minute that it gets lighter, they become easier to see. They are majestic animals.

Being there when nature awakens is a moving moment. As if in response to a wake-up call, the first cranes take flight with the first strong rays of sunshine. Within minutes, thousands of them are flying high into the sky in the early morning air, flapping their huge wings. It is the moment Mario has been waiting for. He purposefully pushes the trigger and captures the mood and the rise of the birds. The camera immortalizes the magical scene. And then Mario's wish comes true: two deer run through the water of the lagoon past the resting cranes, while the Baltic Sea crashes in the background. Mario is grinning all over his face. Scenes like this can only be seen on the Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula.

Photographer's dreams come true at Pramort. At the right time, extraordinary natural scenes and the perfect light come together here. However, a good photo is only the crowning glory, because wildlife photographers are first and foremost nature lovers. Professionals like Mario know that: You have to earn a good nature photo – with patience. The adventure and the experience of a special wildlife encounter are the real attraction for most wildlife photographers. »As a photographer, you capture everything: the wind, the sounds, the noises – the whole shebang. In addition to the camera, many also have binoculars with them and just enjoy«, says Mario. 

The Baltic Sea resort of Zingst has long since established itself as a place for photography. Around 20 exhibitions and up to 200 photography workshops take place here throughout the year. There is no shortage of motifs: the charming architecture of Zingst and the surrounding villages, the picturesque dune landscapes, unique lighting moods and, of course, the national park with its original flora and fauna provide inspiration and variety for professional and amateur photographers alike. The cultural highlight is the annual environmental photography festival »horizonte zingst«, which has been celebrating photography with events, workshops and exhibitions for more than 15 years.  

The focal point for many ambitious photographers is the Max Hünten Haus in the heart of Zingst. Here you will not only find a wealth of information on the subject of photography and changing exhibitions in a light-flooded gallery, but high-quality equipment is also available for hire. A good telephoto lens can cost as much as a small car. The option of borrowing a good lens for a special motif for a few days is attractive to many visitors. The numerous photo workshops also start from the Max Hünten Haus. Even as an experienced photographer, it is worth booking one of the photo workshops, as local guides like Mario not only know where the best nature encounters await, but also how to be in the right place at the right time for the perfect picture. If you have caught the perfect moment, you can have your own photo printed out in various sizes for at home in the professional print studio.

For nature conservation reasons, some spots in the national park are only accessible with special permission or are restricted. To avoid disturbing the cranes, for example, a maximum of 60 visitors per day are granted access to the evening flight of the birds at Pramort during the crane migration period. As a workshop participant, you don't have to worry about this. Mario has the license for the perfect picture and is also allowed to be on site with his participants in the morning. After the birds have left, the observation hut is open to all nature lovers from 8 am to 3 pm. »Many of my workshop participants hardly need any help with their photography. But they benefit from my knowledge and experience«, says the photographer.