Hiking in Nationaal Park Lauwersmeer (NL)

[Harayasu]

Hi guys,

Yesterday I had a day off and went hiking in Nationaal Park Lauwersmeer, located in the northern part of the Netherlands and along the coast line. This national park is formed around a big lake, called Lauwersmeer ("meer" is the Dutch word for "lake"). The combination of the big lake and the sea makes it a paradise for birders, lots of birds that come from the south, spend some time here these months before they travel further north to Scandinavia. I didn't go birding this time, just hiking, but I encountered some of the Scottish cows that walk around there. Big creatures with impressive horns.

Here are some pictures of the environment. The big lake is surrounded by small lakes and the landscape is flat and almost empty, so there is wind everywhere.

Here some pictures of the Scottish cows.

 

[Mentor]

Thanks for sharing, Harayasu. It looks like a beautiful spot.

Nice cows, too!

All the best,

- Mike

 

[Lazydog1]

Do you know the history behind how those Highland Cattle wound up in the Netherlands?
I'm based in the UK and was amazed at how docile those firerce looking cattle are. And they seem to be quite intelligent too. They make great photo subjects.
It's also amazing how if one just looks for it, how one can find really wild places in the midst of such a densely populated country. We've found some really special places here in the UK too.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[dipbait]

That cow is cool. Looks like Shaun White.

 

[Harayasu]

Thanks guys.

The Scottish cows are here for about 30 years now. They are mainly used to keep the plains in the national parks open and often 'work' together with sheep and Konik horses from Poland. On the site of Staatsbosbeheer, the national organisation that takes care of the national parks, I read that in the Lauwersmeer area there are about 300 of Scottish cows and 150 Konik horses. The animals have to find their own food, only in strong winters, Staatsbosbeheer provides extra food.

The cows are quite friendly, but a lot of people are scared of them, because of their size, their rough hair and impressive horns. People here are not used to meeting big animals in the wild and a lot of people avoid areas with Scottish cows.

You are right that if you look for it, there are quiet wild places here in the Netherlands. Especially in the much less dense populated north. But even in the crowded west there are some nice places.

 

[KuRUpTD]

Those are some very unusual looking cows ... thanks for sharing.

 

[mtnfolk mike]

great pics.. thanks foe sharing...:thumbup: i love those cows..

 

[OwenM]

The cows are quite friendly, but a lot of people are scared of them, because of their size, their rough hair and impressive horns.

Makes sense to me. Don't see any trees to climb, either.
That's ok, I am NOT afraid of a stupid cow. Not afraid of a stupid cow. Not afraid of a stupid cow.
Almost starting to believe that, too.