Herons of Amsterdam: A Photo Series Reveals the Unusually Large Population Living in the Dutch Capital

All images licensed Julie Hrudová

Spending timing in any major city is likely to bring run-ins with urban wildlife like rodents and pigeons, but in Amsterdam, there’s one long-legged species stalking the streets in unusually large numbers. In her ongoing series Herons of Amsterdam, photographer Julie Hrudová documents the thriving feathered population—it’s grown considerably in recent decades, and in 2017, officials estimated there were 800 pairs living in 25 neighborhoods—swooping down to sidewalks for a meal and confidently strutting into people’s homes.

Often nesting in park trees, the now-ubiquitous birds are known to scour fish markets at close to scavenge the day’s unsold product and visit the zoo at feeding time. They’ve integrated themselves so wholly into the lives of the city’s human inhabitants that it’s not uncommon for residents to supply food and respite to the striped creatures. “They have names for them, like Kiri the heron, who comes by every day for a snack and is not scared to enter the house,” the Prague-born photographer says. “At times he stays for a while and watches TV.”

Last year, Hrudová released a zine compiling many of the images shown here, and she’s currently working on a new book titled Chasing Amsterdam that will be filled with the street photos she takes on a weekly basis. You can follow her sightings around the Dutch capital on Instagram, and check out her curated account StreetRepeat for a survey of the recurring themes photographers document around the world. (via Jeroen Apers)

 

Herons of Amsterdam: A Photo Series Reveals the Unusually Large Population Living in the Dutch Capital

Herons of Amsterdam: A Photo Series Reveals the Unusually Large Population Living in the Dutch Capital

Herons of Amsterdam: A Photo Series Reveals the Unusually Large Population Living in the Dutch Capital

Herons of Amsterdam: A Photo Series Reveals the Unusually Large Population Living in the Dutch Capital

Herons of Amsterdam: A Photo Series Reveals the Unusually Large Population Living in the Dutch Capital

Herons of Amsterdam: A Photo Series Reveals the Unusually Large Population Living in the Dutch Capital

Herons of Amsterdam: A Photo Series Reveals the Unusually Large Population Living in the Dutch Capital

©

Related Posts

Herons of Amsterdam: A Photo Series Reveals the Unusually Large Population Living in the Dutch CapitalHerons of Amsterdam: A Photo Series Reveals the Unusually Large Population Living in the Dutch Capital
Forget Spooning: This Intimate Sleep Position Scores...
Think your partner’s snoring is ruining your sleep? Data says...
Read more
level-2 electricianslevel-2 electricians
The Metamorphosis of Northern Beaches by Level...
In the serene and vibrant locale known as Northern Beaches,...
Read more
11
This eerie table lamp looks like an...
There is a staggering number of lamp designs available in...
Read more
Herons of Amsterdam: A Photo Series Reveals the Unusually Large Population Living in the Dutch CapitalHerons of Amsterdam: A Photo Series Reveals the Unusually Large Population Living in the Dutch Capital
Banca Tema Offices – Arezzo
Modourbano designed the Banca Tema offices with earth tones and...
Read more
Herons of Amsterdam: A Photo Series Reveals the Unusually Large Population Living in the Dutch CapitalHerons of Amsterdam: A Photo Series Reveals the Unusually Large Population Living in the Dutch Capital
Innovative modular shoe insole lets you switch...
With a modular design that lets you add and replace...
Read more
Herons of Amsterdam: A Photo Series Reveals the Unusually Large Population Living in the Dutch CapitalHerons of Amsterdam: A Photo Series Reveals the Unusually Large Population Living in the Dutch Capital
Top 10 Best Credit Card Bonus Offers...
Updated and checked February 2024. That space in your wallet...
Read more