A breathtaking photograph titled "Legends of the Falls" by Finnish photographer Stefan Gerrits has earned high commendation in the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. The image captures northern fulmars navigating through the misty spray of Iceland's iconic Skógafoss waterfall, showcasing these Arctic seabirds as integral parts of their dramatic natural environment.
Gerrits faced challenging conditions during his visit to the 60-meter-high (197-foot) waterfall, battling strong, blustery winds that created a constant veil of spray around the falls. The persistent mist not only obscured the birds from view but also continuously coated his camera equipment with fine water droplets, making photography extremely difficult. Despite these obstacles, the photographer patiently waited for brief gaps to appear in the misty curtain, eventually capturing this remarkable scene that reveals the nesting northern fulmars in their natural habitat.
The photograph was entered in the "Animals in their Environment" category of the Adult Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, which specifically seeks images that evoke atmosphere and a sense of place with the habitat as a major element. Gerrits' image perfectly embodies this concept by showing how the northern fulmars are seamlessly integrated into their cliff-side nesting environment near the powerful waterfall. The birds regularly fly across the towering cascade to reach their nesting sites in the nearby cliffs, demonstrating their remarkable adaptation to this harsh but spectacular environment.
Northern fulmars, scientifically known as Fulmarus glacialis, are part of the albatross and petrel family and are widespread across northern latitudes throughout Europe and beyond. However, conservation concerns have emerged as fulmar populations have been experiencing a decline since the mid-1980s, making documentation of their natural behaviors and habitats increasingly important for scientific understanding and conservation efforts.
Stefan Gerrits, based in Finland, has built his reputation as a wildlife photographer by specializing in cold, Arctic-like landscapes where snow and ice play crucial roles in his compositions. His artistic approach focuses on creating high-key, minimalistic images that highlight the inherent beauty of wildlife within their natural environments. The photographer has captured technical details of this particular image using a Canon EOS R5 camera with a 500mm f4 lens, shot at 1/2500 second at f4.5 with an exposure value of -1.33 and ISO 250.
In recent years, Gerrits has expanded his work beyond personal photography projects to include organizing specialized photo tours to some of his favorite Arctic destinations. These tours take participants to locations including Iceland, northern Finland, and Norway, where he shares his extensive knowledge and passion for both photography techniques and the wild landscapes he has come to love. His commitment to these remote regions reflects his deep understanding of the unique challenges and rewards of Arctic wildlife photography.
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition continues to serve as a platform for raising awareness about important environmental issues while celebrating the awe-inspiring beauty of the natural world. Through images like Gerrits' "Legends of the Falls," the competition encourages viewers to pause, reflect, and reconnect with nature while also highlighting the urgent need to protect these remarkable ecosystems and the species that call them home.
