48 hours amongst the Godwits

Almost a year ago, I travelled to the island of Marken to spend two days and nights in a hide in the heart of godwit territory. What began as a test of a Fujifilm 500mm lens grew into an intense nature experience centered around peace, sound, and observation. It wasn't about "species hunting" or getting spectacular close-ups, but rather a unique experience that has stayed with me ever since.

It has now been nearly a year since I spent those two days and nights in the Marken hide. It’s an experience that—despite a few clear caveats—remains vivid in my mind. Not just because of what I photographed, but primarily because of how it felt to be there.

I was there on behalf of Fujifilm Belgium. The goal was simple: test the 500mm in the field and film a short vlog at the same time. You can find that video below. But alongside the technical testing, I also just... sat there. Observing. Listening. And taking photos whenever the moment felt right.

Location & concept

The hide is located on the island of Marken, nestled between several ponds. The concept is straightforward: you stay overnight in the hide and remain there almost continuously, from your arrival around noon until your departure the following morning.

Since Marken was quite a long drive for me, I decided right away to stay for 48 hours. Two nights, nearly two full days. Apparently, I was the first one to do it that way, but honestly: I didn't mind at all. In a hide, you need time. And I wanted to maximize my chances, both for the photography and the vlog. I booked my stay through https://www.wildernistrek.nl/

The Hide itself

egarding the hide itself, I’m actually quite positive.

Pros:

• Extremely well-built

• Clean and comfortable

• Toilet on-site

• No heating required (you work with open hatches, not behind glass)

• Opportunities to shoot from three sides

• Ability to work from a low angle, almost at water level

  
  

That last part worked exceptionally well. The camera angle feels natural and produces beautiful, serene images—technically, it’s spot on. Cooking was an option too; there was a small gas stove to boil water. I brought along some "astronaut" / survival food: just boil the water, pour it into the pouch, and you’re done. It was all I needed.

Position & surroundings

And this is where the more nuanced part begins. The positioning of the hide isn't ideal:

• On one side: a lighthouse

• On another side: a dike

• On the third side: the village of Marken in the distance

I enjoy photographing wildlife within its environment, but here, those elements often create distracting backgrounds. What I personally found disappointing was that the one side offering a completely green background has no hatch. That felt like a missed opportunity.

Species & Photographic Opportunities

To be perfectly honest: you are surrounded by many godwits, but they are often quite far away. I was working with a 500mm lens on a crop sensor camera (effectively ±750mm), and that was absolutely not an unnecessary luxury.

If you are coming strictly for "species hunting" or variety, you are going to be disappointed. Along the road to Marken, you can sometimes spot spoonbills, storks, and more species than you can see from the hide itself. 

I managed to capture some nice shots, but don't expect spectacular close-ups with buttery smooth backgrounds. This is not a "wow-factor" species hide.

Experience & Sense of Nature

And yet... this is where Marken truly excels. The sense of being one with nature is intense:

• You are literally right there among the birds.

• You fall asleep to the sound of godwits.

• You wake up to that same sound.

• The environment is constantly alive.
  

That continuous sound, that rhythm of nature—it really does something to you. For the first 30 to 40 hours, I found it magical. It was only after that, to be honest, that I started to miss the silence.

This isn’t a hide for an adrenaline rush of action, but rather for those who want to immerse themselves.

Price & Target Audience

The price is around €200 per night, which is quite steep. However, this isn't your classic "photo hide." As they state themselves:

More for nature lovers than for die-hard species photographers.

And they are right.

Reception & Communication

The reception on-site was excellent. A very friendly woman took me to the hide, explained everything clearly, and even offered to pick me up in between so I wouldn't have to stay for the full 48 hours. I didn't take her up on it, but it was a great gesture.

Communication after booking was less impressive. I booked and paid online, sent emails with questions and a request for an invoice, but never received a reply. That’s a shame, though I suspect the website acts primarily as an intermediary and the farmer herself has little time. Understandable, but definitely an area for improvement.

Conclusion

Despite the critiques, I look back on this experience with great warmth. It was special. Calming. Different. And that is exactly what made it valuable.

Would I recommend it? Yes, absolutely. But only if you know what to expect.

• Go here for: Experience, immersion in nature, time, observation.

• Don't go here for: High species variety, close-up spectacles, perfect backgrounds.

Think differently. Look wider. And let yourself be inspired—perhaps by the video I made there.

Sometimes the power of a place lies not in what you photograph, but in what you experience.

That was absolutely the case here.