Michel d’Oultremont is a Belgian wildlife photographer. He has won the Rising Star Award category for Wildlife Photographer of the Year twice, and his work has also been shortlisted for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award.
How did you get into photography?
As a kid, I spent most of my time riding my bike through the Belgian countryside. Near a small wooden hut that I imagined was a huge medieval castle, I started watching wild rabbits. That’s where my passion for nature was born, then photography came a little later.
Which image means the most to you?
Probably the one I’ll take tomorrow. Nature is an endless source of inspiration and unforgettable encounters. Every outing is different, every light is unique. Choosing just one photograph that stands out is impossible for me.
Which animals have been the hardest to photograph?
Definitely the large predators: wolves, lynx and bears – they almost think like we do. Understanding their movements is incredibly challenging. You have to put yourself in their shoes, anticipate their decisions, spend countless hours in the field… and, even then, you can still come home without seeing them.
- Wolves were the poster child for the ‘alpha male’ concept – until researchers realised they’d got it wrong
- Incredible footage shows moment two grizzly bears collide in Alaskan wilderness
What’s still on your bucket list?
The Siberian tiger. I spent several weeks searching for one in the Russian taiga (subarctic forest) with a friend. We only found tracks, but even that was an unforgettable experience. I’d love to go back once the political situation is calmer.
Have you had any big disasters?
One morning I was in my floating hide. Everything was perfect: beautiful light, cooperative wildlife, one great image after another… When I climbed out of the hide, I reached for my memory card to put it away… and splash! It slipped into the water and disappeared into the mud. I searched for hours but never found it. I like to think it’s now a gift for future generations. Maybe someone will discover it as a fossil in a few thousand years.
What has been your most memorable wildlife encounter?
Perhaps surprisingly, it was the very first time I heard a red deer roaring during the rut. I couldn’t even see the animal – it was purely a sound experience. Yet that call went straight through me. Ever since then, I’ve spent many days in the field every autumn following this fascinating species.
Which animals have you spent the most time trying to photograph?
Those red deer. Here in Belgium, they’re incredibly wary. Even from several hundred metres away, they’ll run off if the wind isn’t in your favour or if you’re not perfectly concealed. I spend hours sitting in hides to avoid disturbing them – it adds up to around a hundred days a year. Sometimes I only have a few minutes of observation, but it’s worth it.
Have you had a close shave in the wild?
I was staying in a large wooden observation tower, about 3m above the ground, in Croatia. I ate dinner and went to sleep. In the middle of the night, I woke up and spotted a huge male bear in the flower-filled meadow. Suddenly, the bear ran towards me and under the tower. I heard it scratching at the floor.
Then, the trapdoor under my feet burst open and a massive bear’s head and a paw appeared. Fortunately, the bear had pushed the trapdoor so hard that it bounced off the wall and slammed back down on to its nose, just like in a cartoon. Its paw was still sticking through, so I shouted at it and it took off at full speed. After that, I spent almost five hours sitting on that trapdoor, shaking like a leaf.
- Can a human outrun a bear?
- How to avoid a bear attack – information that could save your life
- Is it a bear? Is it a dog? No, it’s something in between…
What’s been your chilliest shoot?
I was photographing otters in Yellowstone National Park in temperatures of -45°C and spent hours lying on the ice wearing totally inadequate boots. The result? Five mild frostbite injuries on my toes. That was back in 2018 and, to this day, they still hurt whenever it gets cold.
What’s the one piece of equipment you’d never be without?
It’s got to be my binoculars. They allow me to observe animals from a distance, so I don’t scare them off, plus understand their behaviour and anticipate their movements. I probably use them almost as much as I use my camera.
See more of Michel's work at micheldoultremont.com.
Top image: a brown bear in the woods. Credit: JMrocek/ Getty Images
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