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Frontals is a series of bird photos I have been collecting for over ten years. When you get the time to take a series of pictures of one single bird, you will always have one or two frontals in between. I realized from the start that they made the birds look completely different. From that moment on, I decided to focus on it and make sure I would have at least one frontal in each series. Some birds start to look like angry birds, some funny or even ridiculous.

Especially waders change completely as they tend to have long bills not visible from the front. I am familiar with the species, but when you don’t know them, frontals can hide extreme characteristics of the birds. In owls and birds of prey, frontals are basically the normal way of looking at you, so they are only fun when they twist their heads. I think only spoonbills are really much prettier when they show their great bill with yellow spots and tufted head.

Frontals also allow you to create unusual compositions, from a photographic point of view. "Less is more" works great with frontal birds.

Enjoy the pictures and I think after seeing the frontals, you can never look at birds in the same way again!

More info: rjvanderleij.nl | Facebook | twitter.com | Instagram

#1

Short-Eared Owl

Short-Eared Owl

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    #3

    Red-Breasted Goose

    Red-Breasted Goose

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    M O'Connell
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I will trade you 700 Canada Geese for one of these guys. Gorgeous.

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    #4

    Black Stork

    Black Stork

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    glowworm2
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The frontal look makes the stork look as if he left the oven on.

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    #5

    Great Egret

    Great Egret

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    Red
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    you sure this isnt a Q-tip?

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    #7

    Lesser Black Backed Gull

    Lesser Black Backed Gull

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    SisterSavana
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    my nightmare has come to life.. O.O

    Soph the Loaf
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The mouth is kinda fascinating, though rather creepy

    Zophra
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What an interesting view!

    Cdickson
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Cool. Is that the gullet or craw or something stuck in its throat?

    Mushroom Garden
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The Killer Seagulls shall rise again... XD

    Big
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He clearly doesn't want you to be taking his picture lol

    DungeonQuestPlayer
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    eeww look up Bearded dragon inside mouth. I have a bearded dragon and thats the only thing that creeps me out

    Carter Brown
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    Well, now you have two things that creep you out!

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    glowworm2
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why does his mouth look like something out of a horror movie?

    Fieke Engelen
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you were whatever it's catching, you would know the answer

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    Neva Nevičica
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I...i just can't help myself: vagina dentata!

    Dark Pearl
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    BELINDA! (Apologies. I call all seagulls Belinda, regardless of gender, and simply couldn't resist)

    No Username
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thanks, what a great inspiration for many nightmares to come :)

    MAKtheknife
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Scary. I would not like to run into a maw like that.

    Mya Lugar
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well, Dr., is it toncillitis or not?

    nala simba
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He's got no teeth! I think he left them at home!

    Leslie Burleson
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Uhm , that is actually quite terrifying. No more feeding those monsters French fries for me

    Katherine Morris
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is there a Greater Black Beaked Gull?

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    #8

    Marsh Tit

    Marsh Tit

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    #9

    Wood Pigeon

    Wood Pigeon

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    Doggo
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    the second picture is elders taking a selfie

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    #10

    Waxwing

    Waxwing

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    Seabeast
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Now it will fly head-first into somebody's window after getting drunk on fermented berries.

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    #11

    Red Kite

    Red Kite

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    Daisy Chain
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The first is so majestic and stunning, the second looks like my two year old nephew when we tell him no :)

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    #12

    Common Whitethroat

    Common Whitethroat

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    Lucie Pang
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    it's like ..john..you got a little boogie

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    #15

    Long-Eared Owl

    Long-Eared Owl

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    Seabeast
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This one has not got his head screwed on straight.

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    #16

    Magpie

    Magpie

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    Mary Rose Kent
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Magpies are related to crows and ravens (Corvidae), so you know they’re smart! California’s only endemic bird is the Yellow-billed Magpie.

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    #17

    Robin

    Robin

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    Zophra
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love this second one. The bird seems to have some attitude.

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    #19

    Grey Patridge

    Grey Patridge

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    #20

    Ringed Plover

    Ringed Plover

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    Carter Brown
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is it just me or is that bird looking kinda angry?

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    #21

    Bluethroat

    Bluethroat

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    #22

    Eider

    Eider

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    Seabeast
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Eider you like this duck, or you don't.

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    #23

    House Sparrow

    House Sparrow

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    Big
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These birds may be the most invasive species in the world, but man, they are still adorable

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    #24

    Water Rail

    Water Rail

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    #26

    Great Tit

    Great Tit

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    Xander Gonzalez
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Who in the hell is naming these birds! tit birds

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    #27

    Black-Necked Grebe

    Black-Necked Grebe

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    #29

    Red Throated Diver

    Red Throated Diver

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    #31

    Jay

    Jay

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    Helena Bialecka
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    https://www.boredpanda.com/birds-photography-counting-jays-garden-ruurd-jelle-van-der-leij/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic is this also your post? Great story!

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    #34

    Caspian Gull

    Caspian Gull

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    #36

    Curlew

    Curlew

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    Mary Rose Kent
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    North America has the incredibly gorgeous relative, the Long-billed Curlew!

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