Seabirds at the Edge of Europe: Hornøya

We open the new year with raw light, wild seas, and one of Europe’s most spectacular seabird islands. Captured through the lens of award-winning Belgian wildlife photographer David Pattyn, this blog takes us far north to Hornøya, a windswept island off the coast of Varanger, Norway. Tap the smaller images to experience them full size.

David is an anaesthesiologist working in ’s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands, and a longtime ambassador of Mr Jan Gear. When winter tightens its grip on the Arctic, he trades hospital corridors for cliffs, storms, and seabirds. Wildlife photography began as a hobby, but over the years grew into a deep, focused passion. His work has been recognised in many of the world’s most prestigious nature photography competitions, including Wildlife Photographer of the Year, European Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Nature’s Best, Asferico and Bird Photographer of the Year.

A slow approach to wild places

David describes himself as a slow photographer. “I need time,” he explains. “Time to observe, to understand behaviour, to let ideas grow.” Rather than chasing images, he returns to the same subjects – sometimes over many years – until the story feels complete.

That approach fits Hornøya perfectly. It’s a small island, but in late March it becomes anything but quiet. As winter ends, thousands of seabirds return from the open sea: puffins, razorbills, guillemots, kittiwakes, shags — and regularly, white-tailed eagles overhead. For days, the birds circle the island, gathering courage. Then, suddenly, the first landings happen. That moment triggers a mass arrival, and the cliffs come alive.

“You can feel the tension in the air,” David says. “The birds are there, but not quite ready. When they finally land, everything changes.”

Living with the weather

Getting there is never guaranteed. Because the exact arrival of the birds can’t be predicted, David stays on Hornøya for a full week at a time, in the lighthouse. It’s not luxury — but it’s comfortable enough to wait out storms and snow.

Late March in Varanger means wildly shifting conditions. Heavy wind, snow showers, freezing temperatures, then sudden clear light. “That’s when good equipment matters,” David notes. “Not just for protecting your camera, but for your own safety and balance.”

Form follows function

For more than a decade, David has relied on the Boris IV Camera Backpack in demanding conditions. “I’ve used many top brands before, but none lasted longer than four or five years. This one has been with me for ten — and it still performs perfectly. In places like Hornøya, gear isn’t about comfort or convenience. It’s about reliability. You’re working in snow, wind and wet rock. Everything needs to function, every time.”

The back-opening allows him to place the backpack directly on snow or soaked ground without exposing his equipment. After shooting, he can put the pack back on without wet shoulder straps or a damp back panel — a small detail that makes a big difference in freezing conditions.

Separated compartments mean he doesn’t have to open the entire bag to access a single camera, keeping exposure to the elements to a minimum. The integrated raincover adds an extra layer of protection during snow showers and heavy rain.

Comfort matters too. Wide shoulder straps and a supportive hip belt keep the backpack stable, even when fully loaded. “When you’re moving across slippery rocks and steep paths, balance is critical,” David explains. “A backpack that stays firmly in place lets you focus on the birds, not on your footing.”

New year, same commitment

David’s images from Hornøya remind us why we do this: to share powerful images of nature, tell honest stories, and support photographers who truly live their craft. If that sounds like you, we’d love to hear your story.