Greece
I had visited Greece many times, but nothing prepared me for Lake Kerkini. Arrived and stayed for five unforgettable days, photographing life wrapped in mist.
It was February—winter still holding the land in its quiet grasp - and the first days of photography unfolded in a veil of heavy fog.
Mist rolled over the water like a soft breath. What began as a stay quickly became a real adventure, made even more special by our fantastic guide, Jorge.
Along the beach and out on the lake, pelicans followed us closely - especially while they were being fed. Winter feeding drew the pelicans near - closer than I had ever imagined.
They glided toward us through the pale haze, gliding right up to us and even landing on the boat. Moments like these turned the journey into something truly rare, where nature allowed us to be part of its world.
Five days where the line between photographer and nature felt beautifully thin.
GRE001 - Up close, the Dalmatian pelican reveals its true character: silvery-white feathers, a piercing gaze, and an imposing bill that conveys both strength and vulnerability
GRE002 - Reflection in the water
GRE003 - Pelican cleaning while resting on a small island in the lake
GRE004 - Our first encounter came through the morning haze: a group of pelicans. They would remain with us throughout our photographic adventure
GRE005 - Attentive and patient, they gathered near our boat, waiting for the first fish to be thrown — a quiet moment of anticipation before the shutter clicks
GRE006 - Attentive and patient near our boat, the pelicans’ calm soon gave way to impatience as the first fish took too long to appear
GRE007 - The strongest among them pushed forward, claiming the prime positions
GRE008 - A wing stretched, a beak open — a fragment of the action captured
GRE009 - As the strongest jostled for position, wings stretched and beaks opened, the pushing continued — a lively struggle unfolding in front of our boat
GRE010 - A cluster of beaks reached toward what the third pelican already held — the prize, a carp
GRE011 - A row of crimson beaks reached skyward, every pelican straining in a synchronized attempt to snatch the fish
GRE012 - And it continued...
GRE013 - On the third morning, as the sun rose, we turned our lenses to different perspectives, capturing new images of the pelicans in the golden light
GRE014 - Undeterred by the gray, drizzly sky, the pelicans continued their relentless struggle for every thrown fish
GRE015 - On the small island in the lake, they gather around noon and begin cleaning their feathers simultaneously
GRE016 - At sunrise, two Dalmatian pelicans fill the frame, their textures and expressions revealed in intimate detail
GRE017 - Beaks and wings
GRE018 - Ready for the catch
GRE019 - Standing on the hill’s edge, we captured the sweeping backs of buffaloes
GRE020 - A close-up captures the remarkable spectrum of eye colors, highlighting the individuality of a buffalo
GRE021 - The rugged mountains surrounding Kerkini create a dramatic and serene backdrop