Page 12 - AHATA

a32 local
Monday 11 May 2020

Photographer Erik Neuteboom:

Pictures from a nature lover

ORANJESTAD — Aruba Today likes to show their readers, followers, friends the beauty of our
island in all its aspects. We support individuals, foundations and organization that protect
the island’s flora, fauna and culture. We know that these are the treasures we must preserve
and the reason why our tourists visit One Happy Island. With words and images we share
the wonders of Mother Nature, this time translated into the amazing pictures by photogra-
pher Erik Neuteboom.

About the artist
“I was born in 1960 in the Dutch city The Hague. My
late father was very much into photography and na-
ture, I have inherited this from him. In the early Eighties
I bought my first camera. During the years I had many
hobbies but the last 10 years I focused on photog-
raphy, combined with a start as ‘birdwatcher’. Now
I am retired as psychiatric nurse and live since late
2017 on Aruba (with my wife Hetty), photography
has become my main hobby. I love to show people
how wonderful the Aruban nature is, especially on my
American kestrel in heavy weather Facebook sub-page Dushi Aruba.”

“I was inside when I heard heavy weather, I ran to my porch, and saw an American kestrel
sitting on a branch of a small tree. He was wet and moving from left to right by the strong wind.
I succeeded to get my camera sharp, pretty unusual to see a bird of prey in heavy rain.”

Burrowed owl during sunrise

“During my regular visits to a burrowed owl site I noticed
that at sunrise a very short moment the contra light of the
rising sun delivers a spectacular effect. I decided to use
that in combination of the owls sitting on a wall, it took a few
sessions but in the end I had my ‘dream picture’.”

A ‘Jean-Jacques

Cousteau moment’
with a green sea
A Blue-tail hummingbird turtle
“I grew up with the jaw dropping
in full action footage of this Frenchman in
Flight of the Merlin “Since a few years I am fascinated by this ‘mini- the Seventies. At about 30 years
later I was snorkeling at my
“The Spanish Lagoon is a small but very lush piece helicopter’, and was determined to get good favorite spot Boca Catalina and
close shots. This needed a lot of time, caused
of nature, hosting many animals, including a wide many frustrations, but in the end I had found my suddenly I noticed an eating
range of birds. When I was walking back from ways to get those shots. Important are sunlight green sea turtle under me,
my usual trip suddenly I heard a sound above but not too sharp (early morning), a place with only a few meters away. Then
my head, it was a Merlin, not very often seen on flowers, a lot of patience, and silent movements. he moved upwards and swum
Aruba. Quickly I took my camera and was able I have used a speedy shuttertime (1/3200) in close besides me, a ‘wow’
to get a sharp shot, before it disappeared behind order to ‘freeze’ his breathtaking actions.” moment. My only ‘problem’
the trees.” was taking pictures or making
a video,