For decades, I dreamed of photographing Palm Cockatoos in the wild. Growing up in Berlin, Germany, the only time I was able to see them was in the zoo. But there was just something special about them.

When I moved to Australia, seeing them in the wild went straight to the top of my list. But for over ten years, a few unfortunate circumstances always stopped every planned trip.

Then, in 2024, everything changed during a Cape York trip. The beginning was slow. Ten days of searching with little to show for. But on the second-to-last day, as we drove along a quiet road, I suddenly heard a male whistling. We stopped immediately and discovered him drumming atop his nest. The moment was unforgettable. Shortly after, a second pair flew into a nearby tree and posed right in front of us with wings open! Simply stunning and surreal.

After all the years of waiting, the long journeys, and the challenges along the way, experiencing Palm Cockatoos like this was nothing short of magical. It’s, without a doubt, my favorite bird encounter to date.

There are a few places in the world I would love to visit, and since I love parrots, it has to be somewhere with special birds. Right now, the biggest draw for me is seeing wild macaws. In particular, the Indigo Macaws among the red cliffs of Brazil look absolutely incredible. That’s a trip I hope to make soon!

Another place I’d love to explore is actually in Australia, though I don’t even know exactly where! There are only a few parrots I haven’t photographed yet, and the Princess Parrot is at the top of that list. It lives in extremely remote areas and is highly nomadic, so finding it is a real challenge. If someone handed me a hint of where to go, alongside a golden ticket, that would be my dream first choice!

Birding is part of my life every single day. I breathe it, I live it, and I love it. Being out with my camera and experiencing those fleeting, magical moments is something that lets me forget everything else.

Over the years, I’ve developed a passion for helping others improve their photography as well. YouTube, in particular, has been a wonderful way to connect with thousands of people all over the world, and seeing how a video or comment can make a difference in someone’s experience is incredibly rewarding.

My camera setup guides and editing masterclasses are extensions of that, aimed to help others enjoy the process, feel confident with their gear, and get the most out of their time in the field and behind the computer, so they can spend more time enjoying the birds themselves.