Stefan Gerrits, a Finnish wildlife photographer, has earned high commendation in the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition for his breathtaking image titled "Legends of the Falls." The photograph captures northern fulmars nesting near Iceland's famous Skógafoss waterfall, showcasing these seabirds as an integral part of their dramatic natural environment.
Gerrits faced challenging conditions during his visit to Skógafoss, battling strong, blustery winds that created a constant veil of spray from the 60-meter-high (197-foot) waterfall. The misty conditions repeatedly obscured the birds from view and coated his camera lens with fine water droplets, making photography extremely difficult. However, his persistence paid off when enough gaps appeared in the mist to capture this remarkable scene.
The photograph falls under the "Animals in their Environment" category, which emphasizes evoking atmosphere and a sense of place with the habitat as a major element. This category specifically aims to convey how animals are integral parts of their environments. Gerrits' image perfectly exemplifies this concept by showing the northern fulmars flying across the massive waterfall to reach their nesting sites in the nearby cliffs.
Northern fulmars, scientifically known as Fulmarus glacialis, are widespread across northern latitudes and belong to the albatross and petrel family. However, these seabirds face conservation challenges, as European populations have been declining since the mid-1980s. The species' presence at Skógafoss demonstrates their adaptation to dramatic coastal environments where they utilize cliff faces for nesting.
Gerrits captured the image using a Canon EOS R5 camera with a 500mm f4 lens, shooting at 1/2500 second at f4.5 with an ISO of 250. His technical expertise allowed him to freeze the motion of the birds against the misty backdrop of the waterfall. The photographer is known for his attraction to cold, Arctic-like landscapes where snow plays a key role in his compositions, creating high-key, minimalistic images that highlight wildlife beauty.
The Finnish photographer has built his reputation by specializing in environments that showcase the relationship between wildlife and their habitats. In recent years, he has expanded his work by organizing photography tours to his favorite Arctic destinations, including Iceland, northern Finland, and Norway. Through these tours, he shares his passion for both photography and the wild landscapes he loves with other enthusiasts.
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition continues to celebrate nature's awe-inspiring beauty while urging viewers to protect the natural world. Gerrits' achievement represents not only artistic excellence but also an important documentation of wildlife behavior in one of Iceland's most iconic natural settings, contributing to both scientific knowledge and environmental awareness.
