Hoopoe numbers on the Continent have declined over the past 20 years.
To encourage his local Hungarian population to breed, Bence has for some years made and erected concrete nestboxes - substitutes for the hollow trees that they would normally choose. They seem to favour these nestboxes over more classic wooden ones, giving Bence the opportunity to photograph their breeding habits. If conditions are right, hoopoes around his home will breed twice a year and raise up to nine chicks, keeping their parents busy feeding them. This image of a hoopoe leaving its nest was the result of careful planning. 'I used synchronized flashes, together with a long exposure to use as much of the natural light as possible,' explains Bence, 'plus a grey filter to counterbalance the amount of light.' The result is a mesmerizing impression of the hoopoe swimming through the air.
Hungary
Bence is a wildlife photographer from Hungary. Since 2008 he has been designing wildlife photography hides around the world, including in Hungary, Costa Rica, Brazil, Norway, South Africa and Transylvania (Romania). He was named Wildlife Photographer of the Year in 2010.
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