Life passes without knowing

At Arnhem Central Station, people move endlessly — from one moment to another, unaware of the journey they’re truly on. Routine takes over. The phone becomes the compass. Eyes locked to screens, thumbs scrolling, souls adrift. Few notice the architecture around them, the rhythm of footsteps, or even the light that shifts and dances across the tiles.

My own journey that day was about learning — observing people, testing new perspectives, and finding hidden vantage points where I could watch unnoticed. (Not too difficult, as most were glued to their screens.)

The girl in black: shot from above, standing outside the station, her silhouette blending with the dark tiles — all muted tones, all rhythm and repetition.
The bokeh lady: framed through the interior lights, her world sharp, while the station around her dissolved into soft circles of light.
The traveling musician: a young woman with her guitar case beside her, phone in hand, a reminder of my daughter — and of how stories move unseen through every crowd.

All shots were taken with the Canon 5D Mark IV and the Sigma 100–400, around the bright mid-morning light inside Arnhem Central Station.

#StreetPhotography #Arnhem #ArnhemCentraal #Canon5DMarkIV #Sigma100400 #UrbanLife #DocumentaryPhotography #HumanMoments #StreetPortraits #CandidPhotography #EverydayStories #VisualNarrative #LightAndShadow #StreetLens #PhotographyOfLife #UrbanObservation #ModernSociety #LifeThroughALens #PeopleAndPlaces #TravelPhotography #CityMoments #StoryInALens #ReflectivePhotography #BokehLovers #CommuterLife #UrbanGeometry #StreetScene #HumanCondition #MindfulObservation #HiddenPerspective #DutchPhotography #PhotoStory #VisualPoetry #CapturedMoments #RoutineAndRitual #PhotographyIsObservation #ThroughMyEyes #StreetPhotographyDaily #ObservationInMotion #ByMaikeldeBakker
A walk through Huis ter Heide & Bosrijk

A few days ago, my wife Christel and I wandered through the northern part of Huis ter Heide, bordering the Efteling Bosrijk. The air was calm, soft clouds drifted by, and sunlight occasionally broke through — just enough to paint the forest in warm tones.

While walking, I noticed a flawless Imleria badia — known as the Bay Bolete or “Kastanjeboleet” in Dutch. It stood proud among fallen leaves, its chestnut-brown cap glistening slightly from the forest’s moisture. This species plays an essential role in the ecosystem, forming symbiotic mycorrhizal bonds with trees like pines and beeches, exchanging nutrients that keep forests thriving.

Later, Christel spotted a red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris), poised on a wooden fence, turning its head just as she clicked the shutter on our Canon 5D Mark IV with the Sigma 100–400mm. That curious glance over its shoulder made the shot come alive — pure serendipity.

We ended our walk at Klaas Vaak Lake, where the houses of Efteling Bosrijk mirrored perfectly in the still water. The reflections of reds, greens, and browns looked like a painter’s palette — a calm, storybook ending to a wonderful day outdoors.

#ByMaikelPhotography #MaikeldeBakkerPhotography #Canon5DsR #Canon5DMarkIV #SigmaArt2470 #Sigma100400 #EurasianRedSquirrel #SciurusVulgaris #BayBolete #ImleriaBadia #Kastanjeboleet #MacroPhotography #WildlifePhotography #NaturePhotography #ForestWalk #DutchNature #NatureLovers #Mycorrhiza #Symbiosis #FungiFriday #FungusAmongUs #EftelingBosrijk #HuisTerHeide #NoordBrabant #ReflectionShot #WoodlandCreatures #MushroomMagic #AutumnVibes #NaturePerfection #CanonPhotography #ForestFloor #EcoWonder #WildlifeMoments #NaturalBalance #EarthFocus #BokehLovers #InTheWoods #LensLove #PhotographyStory #ByMaikeldeBakker
Flowers of the Kampina – Part 3

Summer in the Kampina is a feast for the senses, and nowhere is this more evident than in its wildflowers.

I began with Sagittaria graminea (smalbladig pijlkruid), its delicate white petals catching the morning light, while a honeybee worked busily at the top of the frame. Nearby, the toxic yet beautiful Cicuta virosa (waterscheerling) stood tall, its blossoms framed by a shimmering bokeh from the water behind.

The humble Prunella vulgaris (gewone brunel or bijenkorfje) was next—a true bee magnet. I captured it with my Canon 5D Mark III and MP-E 65mm macro lens, a rare, specialized lens that magnifies from life-size to five times life-size without additional accessories. It’s a tool for those who want to dive into the smallest worlds nature hides.

At the northeast near Huisvennen, I wandered into a sea of blooming clover. My photo shows just one flower, but the meadow was alive with bees darting between blossoms.

The heath is also in bloom, painting the landscape in purples and pinks. In the early morning, unopened buds still held tiny dew droplets—each a perfect lens for the rising sun.

Finally, the Galeopsis tetrahit, here in a pale form with purple specks. While modest in appearance, it belongs to the vast orchid family—one of the oldest and most diverse plant families on Earth.

Next: Part 4 – Birds of the Kampina.

Hashtags:
#Wildflowers #Kampina #MacroPhotography #Canon5DMarkIII #Canon7DMarkII #Sigma100400 #MPE65mm #SagittariaGraminea #CicutaVirosa #PrunellaVulgaris #CloverFlower #HeathInBloom #GaleopsisTetrahit #OrchidFamily #BeeFriendly #PollinatorLove #NatureCloseUp #DutchNature #Oisterwijk #WildNetherlands #MacroMagic #FloralPhotography #BotanyLovers #PlantScience #FlowerDetails #TinyWorld #FlowerMacro #InsectPollination #BeePhotography #NatureArt #BokehLovers #MorningDew #BloomSeason #SummerFlowers #WildFlora #NatureObservation #PhotographyForTheSoul #BotanicalBeauty #PlantDiversity #WildflowerSeason #HiddenNature

Extra für den lieben @holger und die liebe @Kaya dann doch heute schon das Glitzerfoto mit Sternchen zum #makromittwoch 😁

#glitter #stars #bokehlovers #prague #Loreto #diamonds #macrophotography

Här är lite speciell bokeh. Plåtat med ett gammalt projektorobjektiv anpassat till Sony E-mount. Kul grej. #photography #projectorlens #pixelfedsweden #bokeh #bokehphotography #bokehlovers