My Year 2017 in Germany's Wild Nature – Highlight Video

Whether on safari in South Africa or in a motorhome through Canada: When we Germans want to experience nature and wilderness, we are usually drawn to other countries. But there is also wild nature right on our doorstep. Sometimes we just have to look for it.

My name is Stephan, I am 27 years old, live in Berlin and I embark on exactly this search almost every day. This is not as hopeless as you might think, because despite its dense population, Germany is considered the most biodiverse country in Europe.

We may not have the deserted areas here that other continents have to offer. But if we are honest... Where is it still deserted today? You probably know someone who has brought back pictures from safaris in Africa. The pictures themselves appear to be original and natural, but is that also how they were taken?

Tip: By the way, I took the pictures with the camera "Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5SEG-K" (is available here*). The lens was the "Panasonic H-RS100400E9" (is available here*). And I was able to capture the unique sound with the "Sennheiser MKE 600" condenser directional microphone. (is available here*)

Why wander off into the distance?

Is it really the ultimate nature experience when there are 30 more safari jeeps next to youwhich are all packed with tourists who all have the same image as you? It's a matter of taste, of course, but I define a real nature experience differently.

It is the direct confrontation that appeals to me. Observing a wild animal in its natural environment, without human influence, and listening to the sounds of nature.

The 1:1 between humans and animals is the most exciting thing you can experience in the great outdoors. This often leads to surprising encounters. With animals that should actually flee, but for some reason accept you in their vicinity.

In Germany, we certainly have not the huge number of spectacular animal speciesbut does it always have to be these animals? And what do we actually know about our native animals that we sometimes regard our natural world as comparatively unspectacular? It's not at all like that if we spend more time with it.

The Amazing return of our predators is a huge gain for the local fauna. Wolves and lynx roam the countryside, sea eagles and ospreys fly over the waters and otters have also returned.

Understanding change as an opportunity

In times of migration from the countryside to the big city, there is a growing danger that large sections of the population will leave the Losing touch with nature. If we only understand "wildlife" to mean Africa, India or Brazil, then this does not do justice to the approximately 48,000 animal species in our country.

But it is precisely such changes that can give our nature a new place in an increasingly modern world. There are now a number of organizations that are campaigning for more wilderness in Germany. For example decommissioned military training areas or mines offer great potential for such a wilderness.

I love our local nature and would like to help CareElite to get many more people to think the same way. That's what I try to achieve with my photos, which are all taken in Germany's wild nature. I usually travel to National parks and nature reserves. Brandenburg with its countless lakes and rivers is my favorite destination.

I encountered over 140 animal species in 2017. I would like to show you my best shots from these encounters. In the future I will CareElite Wildlife Blog and keep you up to date with my recordings.

I hope that I will succeed in convincing you even more of the beauty of our nature. If you're not already convinced. How do you like the highlight video? Feel free to leave me a comment!

Many greetings,

PS: Here you can find my personal Nature film websitewhere you can learn even more about me.