Standing in the cemetery parking lot at eight o'clock in the morning, looking up at the roof with something close to reverence, are renowned Freiburg nature photographer and forester Klaus Echle, forest scientist Steffi Thoma, Edmund Hensle from the Baden-Württemberg Bat Protection Working Group, and a reporter. They're all here for one reason: the bats living above them in the attic of the cemetery chapel.
Up there, a colony of roughly 1,000 female fringed bats and their nearly fully-fledged young have made their home in the roof space of the Friedhof cemetery chapel in Lahr. This isn't Echle's first visit to photograph these fascinating creatures. The species captivates him, and there's also the appeal of the unusual location itself.
The elegant building complex, which includes administrative offices, the chapel, and a mortuary, dates back to the early 20th century. Its architects designed it in the early Gothic style with red sandstone elements, creating a striking architectural presence. Hensle, a retired member of the bat protection group, holds the key to this unique photography location.
For Klaus Echle, this scene represents the essence of nature photography – a field where patience often goes unrewarded, but when it pays off, the results can be extraordinary. Throughout his career, Echle has photographed an impressive array of wildlife: badgers, lynx, foxes, and countless other species. Each shoot requires dedication that most people would find difficult to comprehend, often involving days of waiting for just the right moment, the perfect lighting, or the ideal animal behavior.
'In nature photography, you come home without a photo more often than with one,' Echle explains, summarizing the reality of his profession. This honest assessment reflects the unpredictable nature of wildlife photography, where weather conditions, animal behavior, and countless other variables can make or break a shoot. Unlike studio photography, where conditions can be controlled, nature photography demands absolute patience and the ability to accept failure as part of the process.
The bat colony at the cemetery chapel represents both the challenges and rewards of Echle's work. Bats are notoriously difficult subjects – they're active primarily at night, move quickly, and are sensitive to disturbance. The location adds another layer of complexity and intrigue. The early 1900s building, with its Gothic revival architecture and red sandstone details, provides a dramatically atmospheric backdrop that few photographers ever get to experience.
Steffi Thoma, the forest scientist accompanying the group, brings crucial expertise about bat behavior and ecology. Her knowledge helps Echle understand when and how to approach his subjects without disturbing their natural behaviors or threatening their well-being. This collaboration between photographer and scientist represents the best practices in wildlife photography, where artistic vision must always be balanced with conservation ethics.
Edmund Hensle's role as the representative from the Baden-Württemberg Bat Protection Working Group is equally important. As the keeper of the keys to this unique location, he ensures that photography activities don't interfere with the bats' critical life cycles. The timing of this visit is particularly significant, as the young bats are nearly ready to fledge – a crucial period in their development when disturbance could have serious consequences.
The fringed bat colony represents just one example of the wildlife that Echle has dedicated his career to documenting. His portfolio includes some of Germany's most elusive mammals, each requiring different techniques, equipment, and levels of patience. Photographing a badger might require nights spent in a hide, waiting for the nocturnal animal to emerge from its sett. Capturing images of the rare lynx could involve weeks in remote forest locations, often in harsh weather conditions.
Foxes, while more commonly seen than lynx, present their own challenges. These intelligent animals are naturally wary of humans and quick to disappear at the first sign of danger. Echle's success in photographing such diverse species speaks to his deep understanding of animal behavior and his willingness to invest the time necessary to achieve his artistic vision.
The philosophy behind Echle's approach extends beyond simple documentation. His work serves important conservation purposes, helping to raise awareness about wildlife species that many people never encounter in their daily lives. Through his images, urban dwellers can connect with the natural world that exists just beyond their immediate experience.
The bat photography session at the cemetery chapel also highlights the unexpected places where wildlife can thrive. While many people might find the combination of bats and a cemetery unsettling, Echle sees it as a perfect example of how wildlife adapts to human-modified environments. The old building provides ideal roosting conditions for the bats, while the cemetery grounds likely offer excellent foraging opportunities.
This particular location visit represents the kind of opportunity that makes the frequent disappointments of nature photography worthwhile. Access to a colony of 1,000 bats in such a unique architectural setting is extraordinarily rare. For Echle, it's the kind of shoot that photographers dream about – combining fascinating wildlife behavior with a setting that tells a larger story about the intersection of human and natural history.
The early morning timing of the visit is strategic. At this hour, the bats will have returned from their nighttime foraging activities and settled into their daytime roosts. The lighting conditions may also be optimal for the type of photography Echle has planned, though working with bats often means adapting to low-light conditions that challenge even the most sophisticated camera equipment.
As the group prepares to enter the historic building, they represent a perfect collaboration between art, science, and conservation. Echle's artistic vision, Thoma's scientific expertise, and Hensle's conservation advocacy combine to create an approach to wildlife photography that respects both the subjects and their environment.
The story of this morning's bat photography session encapsulates everything that makes Klaus Echle's work significant. It requires patience, expertise, respect for wildlife, and the acceptance that success is never guaranteed. Yet when all the elements align – the right location, cooperative subjects, good lighting, and a bit of luck – the results can provide people with intimate glimpses of wildlife they would never otherwise experience. In a world where natural habitats are increasingly under pressure, photographers like Echle serve as crucial ambassadors, bringing the beauty and complexity of the natural world to audiences who might otherwise never encounter it.
