Plitvice Lakes are a wonder of nature, where the interplay of water and the rock has created astonishing waterfalls and lakes. I was lucky to explore almost every corner, including under the surface and high above, in every season. I traversed not only well-known tourist sites but also off the beaten path, including a vast, dense forest that protects the fragile lakes.

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Croatia is a small country, but it harbors an incredible diversity of habitats and species – from the great floodplains of the Danube and other rivers to the astonishing diversity of limestone karst landscape and the Adriatic Sea. For years I have promoted Croatia, mostly its natural values. I also cover cultural values and sustainable tourism.

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I was educated as a biologist. I worked at a university and explored animals (reptiles and amphibians) in research and conservation projects worldwide, mainly in the tropics of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. I wrote several natural history books about Croatia. I have always carried my camera and documented the natural history. Those images are in high demand and with time, I have worked more and more as a natural history photographer. Recently, I started working on nature documentaries and made a film Rivers of Croatia that was broadcasted on several European television channels. I also worked for BBC and Nat Geo Wild.

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This work is always very demanding, especially with animals. They are elusive and unpredictable; even finding them could be very frustrating, let alone documenting their behavior, which is the holy grail. Even recording great landscapes needs good planning and executing the right moments. But, having the image or footage on a camera is an excellent stimulus for new work.

I started doing aerials before today’s omnipresent drones, flying in small aircraft. I try to discover new locations for people or at least new angles for already-known spots – above, under the water, such was the case with Plitvice Lakes. Many people, even in Croatia, didn’t know about these natural gems, or they haven’t seen them in person.

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I like scouting the locations before actual work the most. Once the filming starts, I often stay cold or hot for many hours, sometimes in a small blind. Getting the perfect picture or footage makes up for long hours.

After my book and film Rivers of Croatia, I am starting a World River project, visiting one of the most beautiful rivers in the world.

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