Close to Home

When I am not travelling I do like to take photos as well. That can be either inside the house or on walks in my immediate environment. At the moment I am living in the city of Hilversum in The Netherlands where I am surrounded by some nature parks.

All photo's can be purchased on various materials through my shop on artheroes.com.

Below are all the photos related to this travel experience including the relevant link to the shop.

Enjoying the purple heather

Enjoying the purple heather on the Zuiderheide near the town of Hilversum in the Netherlands. We come here on a daily basis during our afternoon walks but this time of year is most certainly the prettiest.

Awesome tree

Undoubtedly the most fascinating season when it comes to the endless fields of heather when they're in bloom by the end of summer. I especially liked this awesome tree on the Zuiderheide near the town of Hilversum in the Netherlands.

Autumn in full colour

Admiring autumn in full colour while on my daily walk in the Bad Vilbelpark in the town of Huizen, the Netherlands. The reflections of the autumn colours in the water was truly spectacular.

Early morning autumn

A random early morning in autumn near my home in the town of Huizen, the Netherlands. The weather was so lovely that I took my camera and went out on a walk. This is one of the better photos I made that day.

Rain after a hot day

Looking at the rain after a hot day in our hometown Huizen, the Netherlands. It had been a really hot day in the middle of summer and thunderstorms brought some necessary cooling. Luckily I was inside when the rain started and I found the view fascinating.

Mooring posts

The simplest things can turn into something beautiful if you have an eye for it. I was taken by these ordinary mooring posts in the harbour near our home in the town of Huizen, the Netherlands.

Autumn tree

We really enjoyed the autumn trees near our home in the town of Huizen, the Netherlands. The warm light shining through the branches really brightened up the trees.

Autumn boats

The harbour near our home in the town of Huizen, the Netherlands looked pretty amazing in the late afternoon light. The autumn colours added even more atmosphere to the sailboats anchored there.

Invasion of the bottles

I was completely in awe of the decorations in the Desigual flagship store in the city of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Invasion of the bottles is what came to mind when I looked up at the ceiling. It must have cost many hours to get this all up.

Office girl

My wife is always taking her foldable bicycle to work to avoid parking fees. This is her on her bicycle in our street in the town of Huizen, the Netherlands. I really loved how the sense of motion turned out. I believed the title Office girl was suitable in this case.

My home world

Had some fun photographing various objects in my garden in the town of Huizen, the Netherlands. For this photo I took our big crystal globe and placed it on the garden table. With a background of the blooming rhododendron it nicely reflected some of the surrounding houses which gave me the idea for the title: My home world.

Early morning swan

Living close to a lake and next to a harbour has its perks sometimes. This early morning a gracious swan came by and while preparing my camera it came straight towards me, pretty angry no less. I guess it didn't want to be photographed.

Colours reflected

Colours of the outside walls are reflected everywhere in the Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision (Beeld en Geluid) in the city of Hilversum, Netherlands. It makes for quite a visual experience to spend some time here.

Spooky windows

The offices and archives are all below the ground floor of the Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision in the city of Hilversum, Netherlands. Basically everything sound (radio) and vision (television) is kept there as a historical archive. From above the orange colour used for the hallways look like spooky windows.

Reflectiles

Reflected tiles, hence reflectiles, on the ceiling of the Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision in the city of Hilversum, Netherlands. The reflection is caused by the fact that the tiles are made of shiny silvery rectangles and the multi-coloured outer walls of the building.

Visual experience

It was quite a visual experience looking at the ceiling of the Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision in the city of Hilversum, Netherlands. The many colours of the outside walls of the building reflected really nice in the shiny tiles.

Colouring black&white

Looking up at the walls in the central hallway of the Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision in the city of Hilversum, Netherlands. I loved the contrast between the coloured outside wall and the inner monochrome wall depicting photos of historic television personalities.

Tilted stairs

The main purpose of my visit to the Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision in the city of Hilversum, Netherlands was to look at things differently. When I saw the banister on these stairs I realised I had to do something with it and came up with the idea to take the photo sideways resulting in these tilted stairs.

Very orange

One of the many hallways that are very orange at the Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision in the city of Hilversum, Netherlands. I'm pretty sure people that work here had to get used to this.

Multi-coloured glasses

We stumbled upon a party at the end of our short excursion to the Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision in the city of Hilversum, Netherlands. I loved how the many colours of the building reflected in the glasses.

Day of the Triffids

One of the routes we take on our daily walks in the town of Huizen, the Netherlands, leads us through the Bad Vilbel park. There is an abundance of plants which make for a relaxed atmosphere. One species though is growing at an alarming rate and is considered a true pest. It's the hogweed plants that grow really fast and can even be dangerous when touched. The title refers to a book and film by that name 'Day of the Triffids' where plants like this attached humans.

Sunhouse

When we lived in the town of Huizen, the Netherlands, we often walked along the canal in front of our house towards the lake called 'Gooimeer'. There is a small lighthouse to guide yachts into the small harbour. It looks really pretty, especially at sunset.

Cherry blossom

Cherry blossom looks awesome in Spring, especially on a perfect day with clear blue skies. This photo was taken during one of our daily walks near our home in the town of Huizen, the Netherlands.

Where Magnolia grows

We just love to see Magnolia trees during Spring. It is unfortunate they don't bloom for very long though. On one of our daily walks in the town of Huizen, the Netherlands we went to where Magnolia grows and got to admire them.

A special edited version of this tree can be found here.

Dreamy fluffy swanlings

During our daily walks near our home in the town of Huizen, the Netherlands, we always came across swans. They were specifically nice to watch in Spring when their eggs hatched. Here is a couple of dreamy fluffy swanlings finding their way in the canal.

Framed Laburnum

Years ago we had a garden at our home in the town of Huizen, the Netherlands. Next to the trellis fence the huge Laburnum (Golden rain tree) bloomed profusely every other year. Looked pretty amazing in combination with the pink clematis.

A bee inspecting the goods

Years ago when we were living in the town of Huizen, the Netherlands, we had a huge Laburnum tree (Golden rain) in our garden. Every other year it bloomed profusely and was a joy to watch. It was also an ideal place for bees, like this bee inspecting the goods.

Watering the white petunias

Watering the white petunias on the balcony of our apartment in Hilversum, the Netherlands. Petunias are so beautiful and grow so fast to become an abundant explosion of flowers.

Gazania, also called Treasure flower

We don't have a garden anymore, but still lots of flowers on our balcony at our apartment in Hilversum, the Netherlands. This Gazania, also called the treasure flower, looked really amazing in the afternoon sun.

An edited version of this photo can be found here.

Entering nature

About a ten minute walk from our home in Hilversum, the Netherlands we can enter a small forest leading to a nature reserve with sand drifts and heather fields. It's one of our favourite walks.

Fascinating colours

The colours of blooming heather fields are fascinating to look at, especially around sunset. We always pass this area on our daily walks near our home in Hilversum, the Netherlands.

Beautiful sight

Late summer is the time of year the nature reserve near our home in Hilversum, the Netherlands looks best. The fields of heather start blooming and give a purple view wherever you look. We went to take some photos an hour or so before sunset which made the experience even better.

Girls making photos

Even though the nature reserve near our home in Hilversum, the Netherlands is pretty quiet, there are occasions when other people are present as well. I loved seeing these girls enjoying making photos of the blooming fields of hearther, just like I was doing.

Beautiful evening light

We loved the beautiful evening light shining on the purple fields of blooming heather in the nature reserve near our home in Hilversum, the Netherlands. So peaceful and relaxing to walk around here in this time of year.

Finished thistles

These thistles have lived out their lives but I found them particularly pretty in between the fields of blooming heather. We love walking through this nature reserve near our home in Hilversum, the Netherlands.

An edited version of this photo can be found here.

Awesome light on this characteristic tree

Close to sunset we enjoyed some awesome light on this characteristic tree during our daily walk in the nature reserve near our home in Hilversum, the Netherlands.

Tree trunk in the evening

The nature area near our home in Hilversum, the Netherlands is maintained in a natural way. This means that when trees fall down they are not necessarily removed immediately. Hence we can enjoy this tree trunk in the evening light.

Waterfall splash

I came across this waterfall splash in Burgers' Zoo near the city of Arnhem in the Netherlands. This zoo is a pretty irregular zoo with separate sections for jungle, ocean and desert animals. I used a slighty slower shutter speed to create the flowing effect of the waterfall.

Early evening in the park

Early evening in the Bad Vilbel park in the town of Huizen, the Netherlands. One of our daily walking routes leads through this lovely park with enchanting views, especially during sunset.

Don't be afraid of the light kids

We always love it when we encounter a family of swans during our daily walk in the town of Huizen in the Netherlands. Momma swan is making sure the little ones are brought up to be responsible swans. Don't be afraid of the light kids!

Morning clouds

Morning clouds reflected in the windless waters of lake Gooimeer near the town of Huizen in the Netherlands. Sitting on a nearby bench I really enjoyed the serenity of this view.

Bright new day

Starting a bright new day with a visit to the lake called 'Gooimeer' near the town of Huizen in the Netherlands. I decided to get up early to capture some of nature's beauty. This swan was slowly passing by and made for a really nice view.

Fetch! Rambo

While on our daily walk we met a man and his dog who was busy fetching sticks in the cold water of the lake. He told us his name was Rambo. Lovely meeting at lake Gooimeer near the town of Huizen in the Netherlands.

Spent dandelions

Highlighted dandelions that have seen better days against the setting sun over lake Gooimeer near the town of Huizen in the Netherlands. I really love how they stand out waiting for the perfect moment to release their seeds into the world.

Sunset over the lake

Sunset over the lake called Gooimeer near the town of Huizen, the Netherlands. We spent quite some time at the lake on this beautiful Spring day.

Bollards at sunset

We loved how these bollards looked during sunset at lake Gooimeer near the town of Huizen, the Netherlands. They are no longer in use as such but make for interesting objects to photograph.

Sunset over the lake

Sunset over lake Gooimeer near our home in the town of Huizen, the Netherlands. We took a bottle of wine and two glasses and enjoyed the quiet summer evening overlooking the lake. The smoothness of the lake is caused by the long exposure of five seconds.

Sunset skies

Enjoying some truly awesome sunset skies while having a glass of wine at the Gooimeer lake in the town of Huizen, the Netherlands. The long exposure of two seconds gave the lake a silky look.

Come along kids

Beautiful family of swans that we have been following in the summer of 2012 during our daily walks in the town of Huizen in the Netherlands. The swan parents had seven little ones to take care of, so come along kids.

One of the little ones

In the summer of 2012 we followed a family of swans. We have seen them born and grow up during our daily walks in the town of Huizen in the Netherlands. This is one of the little ones, a month after being born.

Waiting for summer to return

A gloomy day in the winter at the nature reserve near the town of Hilversum in the Netherlands. Nature is resting and waiting for the summer to return.

Mossy branch

I couldn't help noticing this branch stretching out over the water in the forest at Anna's Hoeve near the town of Hilversum in the Netherlands. The moss covering parts of the branch was almost fluorescent green.

A walk in the forest

I love the serenity of the forest on an early Spring day like this. Not too many people around and the trees slowly coming to life after the dark winter days.

Wonderful reflection

Hiking in the forest at Anna's Hoeve near the town of Hilversum, the Netherlands. The reflection in the water was really nice this day.

Three trees

Saw these lovely trees on a hike in one of the forests near my home in Hilversum, the Netherlands. This area near Anna's Hoeve is beautiful.

Nature shines

A hike on an early Spring day in the nature reserve near my home in Hilversum, the Netherlands.

The hidden path

One of the more or less hidden paths through the forest on our daily walk in Hilversum, the Netherlands. Very pretty with the sun shining.

Feeding an apple to a horse

This lovely horse always brightens up our daily walk to a nature reserve near our home in Hilversum, the Netherlands. She loves the apple leftovers we feed her and comes galloping towards the fence when she sees us approaching.

The horse's eye

Everytime I go on my daily walk in a nature reserve near my home in Hilversum, the Netherlands I pass this friendly horse. It loves the attention and the apple leftovers I feed her.

The horse called Cendy

Close up of the horse called Cendy. I always pass this friendly horse when going on my daily walk in the nature reserve near my home in Hilversum, the Netherlands.

In search for the good grass

Watching some of the Scottish Highlander cows in a nature reserve near my home in Hilversum, the Netherlands. The Scottish Highlander cows are easily approachable, but it is recommended to keep at least 25 metres away, especially when there are young calves in the herd.

Much better grass here

This Scottish Highlander cow near my home seems to think that the grass is greener in this hard to reach place. Apparently its wet feet are worth the effort.

Beautiful beast

The Scottish Highlander cows look really impressive up close.

The sun is melting the ice

In the pretty cold winter of 2012-2013 I was living in the city of Huizen in the Netherlands. In front of the house was a canal and by the time the freezing period was coming to an end I could watch the sun melting the ice.

Sun in the park

A beautiful walk in the Bad Vilbel park in the city of Huizen, the Netherlands. The sun in the park made for quite the atmosphere.

Winter reflection

While walking in the Bad Vilbel park in the city of Huizen, the Netherlands I came across this patch of water that nicely reflected the trees. The birds have done their very best to keep this patch of water open causing this winter reflection.

Covered in ice

Large parts of the Gooimeer near the city of Huizen in the Netherlands are covered in ice in the harsh winter of 2012-2013.

Whimsical shapes

The winter of 2012-2013 was cold in the Netherlands. In fact, it was so cold that the Gooimeer was frozen which did not happen that often. I loved these whimsical shapes while walking along the lake near the city of Huizen in The Netherlands.

Bridge covered in snow

A lovely bridge covered in snow in the Bad Vilbel park in the city of Huizen, the Netherlands. The winter of 2012-2013 was pretty cold but it offered some nice pictures.

Branch going another way

The winter of 2012-2013 was pretty cold. I lived in the city of Huizen in the Netherlands back then and my daily walk in the Bad Vilbel park provided some beautiful wintery scenes. I loved how this branch was going another way.

Ornaments on display

Since a few years my wife has a new hobby creating larger Christmas decoration pieces taking Christmas ornaments and lights and glueing them together on or inside objects. Here a lantern case is used.

Clustered ornaments

Clustered ornaments glued together to make a larger decoration piece.

Gold & red

Gold & red details of a larger Christmas decoration piece made by my wife.

Xmas tree lights

A detailed view of some of the Christmas lights in our Christmas tree.

Into the tree

A look inside our Christmas tree with details of the Christmas lights and some ornaments.

Christmas lights

Bright Christmas lights on the dining table and on the Christmas tree in the background.

SAMX lights

A set of small Christmas lights meant as decoration on the bar in our home. Behind the lights are four wooden letters spelling XMAS, hence SAMX as they can be seen here from the back behind the lights.

A case of ornaments

A case of Christmas ornaments, especially made by my wife.

Tree ornaments

Various Christmas ornaments in the illuminated Christmas tree.

The shining bell

Christmas ornament in the shape of a bell, shining in the illuminated Christmas tree.

Sparkling heart

Beautiful Christmas ornament in the shape of a heart, decorated with sparkles.

Drop ornament

Cool Christmas ornament in the form of a water drop.