twikga stories about life, travels and other passions
What you love is what you cherish. We believe that opening your hart to the small wonders of life will make you appreciate what you have and passionate about preserving the world around you. Sadly, in times of climate change the urgency of wildlife conservation is brought right to our doorsteps. We realize how privileged we are to travel the world and hope that by sharing our pictures with a broader audience, through our websites, exhibitions and social media, that we may contribute to the protection of the places we were fortunate enough to visit over the years…
Floating white mountains in the river
"This is cool, white floating mountains on the river, made from ice and snow. We could play catch, or hide and seek. But I know we are not supposed to be here. Too dangerous, says the boss. They break off and drift away. She has nightmares about me floating on an ice plate. She would jump in to save me. That's nice. Must be cold though. Maybe I should behave and go back." "Duvel, come here, I...
The first snow makes you want to fly
"Snow! I love snow, cold, white and fluffy, run, dive, fly, whoops! Funny Bird, what are you doing?" "Follow me! This is magic, white and light, I feel like flying. To the lighthouse, up I go, higher and higher. "What is he doing Big Bird? You told me he can't really fly. The snow must be blinding him. Oops there he comes. Heh Funny Bird, dive in. I know, the first snow makes you want to fly,...
A picture book lion in the christmas tree
"Wow, Duvel, there is a tree growing in your livingroom! There I can build myself a nest, can I?" "You can try. It will not be here for long though. That's a christmas tree, Little Bird. People put them in their houses this time of year. They even have lights in them and the good thing is that some people use cookies for decoration. I love cookies! But not in this one. The boss has been creative...
ELBGUTschi Weihnachtmarkt bei Hochwasser
Dieses Wochenende ist es wieder so weit, zum fünften Mal ELBGUTschi, aber das erste mal bei Hochwasser! Gestern fegte der Südwind über die Elbe und müssten wir die Tore des Bootshauses schließen. Bei Glühwein und Kerzenlicht war es dann aber schön weihnachtlich. Heute ist Hochwasser und muß der Anfang des Marktes verschoben werden. Gleich wird gefegt und bauen wir unsere Stände wieder auf. Wir...
Come and play on my beach
"Yeah, there we are. Come and play on my beach! Lets dig ourselves a nice hole! I love digging. Feel the sand flying. Whooopy! Come on Big Bird, do something." "Why should I do something? I like watching. When I dig in the sand I take a dust bath. This sand is too wet. Pick on Funny Bird. He is just sitting there." "I am not just sitting here. I am making a plan. Have you seen that lighthouse? I...
Don’t miss the golden hour on safari
Beautiful light, the heat of the day is fading and the animals are finally beginning to show some action. Great time for picture-taking. If you are (un)lucky your safari operator has organized a fancy sundowner on a "safe" location, where you can get out of the vehicle. Away from all the action. If you are even more (un)lucky you have to be back in camp by sunset. Just in time to take a shower...
Stairway to naughtiness
"Why do you have all these stairs around your house? Where do they lead? Who needs them? There is no beach here. This is exhausting!" "I do not know, Funny Bird. Why do you always complain? This is supposed to be the famous stair-quarter of Hamburg. People need the stairs to get to their houses, I guess. I don't mind climbing them. In fact there can be nice surprises around every corner. Like a...
The making of Tata&Squack, The Big Journey
Tata&Squack, The Big Journey will be published on the 1st of November 2011. The Big Journey is the first adventure of Tata&Squack. It tells the story of the Great Migration of the Wildebeest, one of the most impressive events in the natural world. The photographs for the illustrations were taken over a period of 3 years by myself, my husband Willem and Squack Evans in the Serengeti National...
Come and play with my sticks
"Let me show you my stick-collection. Quite impressive, huh? I carried them home from my walks. I am mighty proud of them. Some are thick, others long. The soft ones are great. This one I nicked from a pall. Now what, you don't seem to like them. They are great, you can catch them, bury them, chew on them, ..." "Duvel, we don't play with sticks, we are birds. We might use them to build our...
Auch Schiffe haben eine Stimme
Bei Wind und Wetter, Sommer oder Winter, 365 Tage im Jahr, Tag und Nacht fahren sie an uns vorbei, die Schiffe auf der Elbe. Man erkennt sie schon an ihrer Stimme. Es gibt viel zu laute Pötte mit Rauchschwaden, aber auch fast lautlose tief brummende Containerriesen. Mancher Reeder möchte gern von seinen Schiffen begrüßt werden. Im Nebel hört man nur vorschriftsmäßiges gedämpftes tuten. Die...
