I had visited many of Denmark’s most beautiful nature areas before I visited Lille Vildmose - the “Little Wild Bog” - and I must admit that I had few expectations. And I think I know why: it is hard to photograph the beauty of a raised bog. So you have no pictures with which to prepare yourself. It is only when you first get there that you realize it. In fact, I doubt I can describe it in words. But I will try.

There is a tower for viewing birds of prey at Høstemark, but the first time I visited it, nothing happened. I just stood and looked out over the flat bog on an overcast afternoon, and all was still and quiet. When I climbed down the stairs, I felt empty inside, but something must have attracted me, because I went back.

The next time I stood on the same tower at Høstemark, it was a September afternoon in 2005. Dusk crept over the bog. I was all alone, and it was so quiet that that solitude was almost oppressive.

Now, I knew that golden eagles are often seen at Lille Vildmose, so of course I asked myself “I wonder where the eagle is?” I was pretty certain, however, that I would get no answer. In the distance, some crows were calling, and I could make make them out through my binoculars, just over the treetops.

The golden eagle shows itself!
Then, suddenly, a colossal raptor alighted, lifting itself up on heavy wings through the crows. The golden eagle showed itself!

It was like being blessed by nature itself: here I was all alone and being honoured by the sight of the most majestic bird you can see in Denmark. 

And that’s not all: a little later, another golden eagle arose over the treetops among the little group of crows, who flapped and squabbled all around the two raptors.
Maybe it lasted two minutes. Maybe only 30 seconds. It hardly matters, because I will never forget that great experience, and I will almost certainly visit the tower again. If for no other reason than to re-live my meeting with the golden eagle in my memories.