Ruurd Jelle van der Laij has been fascinated with nature from a young age and loved nothing more than bird watching. So him becoming a nature photographer and ecologist was almost inevitable. Throughout the many years he spent observing and capturing birds, he noticed something interesting, and actually quite funny. “When you get the time to take a series of pictures of one single bird, you will always have one or two frontals in between. I realized from the start that they made the birds look completely different. From that moment on, I decided to focus on it and make sure I would have at least one frontal in each series. Some birds start to look like angry birds, some funny or even ridiculous,” he said in a statement to Bored Panda.
It’s true, while most birds look majestic from most angles, something about their frontal images is just too funny. The same cannot be said about all birds, of course. For birds of prey, like owls, frontals are their normal way of looking at you, so the photograph will only be fun if they cock their head to the side. No explanation can do the job better than the pictures themselves, so without further ado, take a look at some beautiful birds from a completely new angle.

Image Source: Ruurd Jelle van der Laij
To see more of Van der Laij's work you can visit his website, Facebook, or Instagram page.

Image Source: Ruurd Jelle van der Laij

Image Source: Ruurd Jelle van der Laij

Image Source: Ruurd Jelle van der Laij

Image Source: Ruurd Jelle van der Laij

Image Source: Ruurd Jelle van der Laij

Image Source: Ruurd Jelle van der Laij
Related: 19 Gorgeous Birds You Might Not Have Seen Before

Image Source: Ruurd Jelle van der Laij

Image Source: Ruurd Jelle van der Laij

Image Source: Ruurd Jelle van der Laij

Image Source: Ruurd Jelle van der Laij

Image Source: Ruurd Jelle van der Laij
Related: Top Winners of the 2020 Bird Photo of The Year Competition

Image Source: Ruurd Jelle van der Laij

Image Source: Ruurd Jelle van der Laij

Image Source: Ruurd Jelle van der Laij

Image Source: Ruurd Jelle van der Laij

Image Source: Ruurd Jelle van der Laij

Image Source: Ruurd Jelle van der Laij

Image Source: Ruurd Jelle van der Laij

Image Source: Ruurd Jelle van der Laij
Share these photographs with other nature lovers!
Striking Photo Series Shows the World’s Endangered Animals
Endangered animals can sometimes be hard to relate to, which is why Tim Flach chose to depict these animals in such a way that shows their personalities...
These Photos Capture Owls in All Their Magnificence
Owls aren't just beautiful - they're a symbol of wisdom too. Take a look at these beautiful, wise owls.You won't regret it!
18 of the Most Incredibly-Timed Photos You'll Ever See
These photos will leave you in awe of their timing. The visual impact they have is staggering. Take a look at these 18 images.
These Animal Portraits Will Make You Feel Serene
Each animal portraits by artist Raku Inoue is made out of seasonal materials, all natural. The result is peaceful and lovely to look at.
16 Of Nature's Best Unintentional Works of Art
Sometimes the most moving and beautifully effortless works of art are the ones created by nature, without man's interference.
This Is Puppy Photography at Its FINEST!
Prepare to be amazed! This photo magician captures both the adolescent and adult forms of her canine models in one picture.
8:22
15 Weird Dog Behaviors Explained
Join us as we unravel the secrets of doggy behavior, helping you to connect more deeply with your loyal companion.
These Award-Winning Wildlife Photos Are Phenomenal
View some of the best entries from the 2017 edition of GDT's ‘European Wildlife Photographer of the Year' competition. Take a look.
2:19
This Maniac of a Mouse Hunts and Howls in the Night...
Learn all about this tiny warrior.
Nature's Wonders: 14 Fascinating and Gorgeous Plants
These are some of the most interesting plants we have seen in a while.
15 Rare and Beautiful Birds I Can't Stop Staring At
This is a collection of 15 of the most beautiful and rare species of colorful birds that, unfortunately, are nearing extinction.
8 Exotic Plants You Won’t Believe Actually Exist
Here is a list of 8 very weird and exotic plant species that can do very surprising things to survive. You are sure to become a knowledgeable botanist after reading this article.
Who Knew Mushrooms Could Be So... Beautiful?
Photographer Steve Axford captures some of the world's most fascinating mushrooms. Take a look.
Incredible Wildlife Moments Frozen in Time: 14 Pics
Check out some of the highly commended photos of this year's Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
A Rainbow Can Be Made From Mushrooms If You Look Right...
Mushrooms and other fungi aren't usually the most interesting, but if you find the right ones, they can fill your day with color!
Meet the 2024 Nature Photographer of the Year Winners
Here are the incredible winners of the 2024 Nature Photographer of the Year awards.
These 14 Cute Panda Bears Will Make you Laugh Out Loud!
There is no cuter and funnier animal than a panda bear, and if you don't believe me, these 14 examples will certainly prove it!
See Colorful Butterflies in Gorgeous Detail
We present you with our most beautiful photo galleries of butterflies and moths all in in one page.
10 Ideal Plants to Fill Up Empty Space in Your Garden
If your yard or garden has a lot of empty space, then why not add some evergreen ground cover plants to give it some extra character?
8:27
Huskies vs. Cats: Who Will Solve the Maze First?
This pet owner cleared out all the furniture to build a cardboard maze for their dogs and cats. The maze had tall walls and twisted corridors, ready for exploration.
14 Birds that Are Nature's Gemstones
While you may have seen birds native to your area, we're sure you've never seen these before......
This Creature Is 40 Times Heavier Than a Blue Whale
What’s the world’s largest organism? Pando, a grove of quaking aspens in Fishlake National Forest in Utah is actually a single ancient tree.
12:21
To Save a Forest, These Folks Took the Help of Goats
Find out how goats are helping regenerate a forest and protecting it from bushfires.
9 Fun & Fascinating Facts About Beluga Whales
Beluga whales are more than just cute marine animals. Here are some playful facts about them.
1:32
From Seed to 1300 POUNDS: a Pumpkin Time-Lapse
Watch how a gigantic pumpkin grows from a seed in less than 2 minutes. It blows up like a balloon!
20 Jaw-Dropping Natural Landscapes That Grip Your Soul
It's impossible to put words to these glorious pictures. We just can't.
4:21
The Owl: True and Funny Facts!
This hilarious video explores the natural world, this time - the owl, a magnificent creature that still sounds really funny in this true facts video
12 Fascinating Facts About the North Pole
The North Pole is a unique & mysterious place, and it would be fun to learn more about it, so here are 12 lesser-known North Pole facts!
Beautiful! The Color of a Rose Conveys a Special Message
Roses are the most well known and celebrated flower in the world. You may be surprised to discover the meaning of roses and their various colors.
Think You know the Grand Canyon? Check Out These 12 Facts
It’s one of the natural wonders of the world, and for good reason. Take a look at these 12 facts about the Grand Canyon you might have missed.
21 Gorgeous Reasons Nature Needs No Photoshop
You'll be impressed by 21 nature pictures that prove the world is beautiful the way it is if you only know where to look.
8:19
These Amazing Animal Rescues Will Give You a Big Smile
From daring rescues to quiet acts of compassion, these animals show us what it means to care.
World's Best Animal Photos: 20 Winning Images by Agora
Check out some of the finest photographs from Agora's #Animals2020 contest that shows the beauty of wildlife from the world over.
7:52
Get up Close and Personal with Earth's Strangest Parrot
This video will familiarize you with the world of the kakapos, some of our planet's most peculiar and endangered parrots.
15 of the Weirdest Creatures from Around the World
Our world is inhabited by some truly bizarre and rare animals you have probably never seen before. Take a look at few such creatures.
4:21
Time Lapse Video: From Cute Caterpillar to Gorgeous Moth
Timelapse video shows a caterpillar's transformation into adult moth
The Most Colorful Birds Will Make Your Day!
Nature never stops surprising us, we invite you to enjoy pictures of the following 14 exotic birds that show the magic of nature and its endless variety.
Entirely Unrelated Animals that Are Like Two Peas in a Pod
Convergent evolution is a natural process wherein unrelated species adopt many of the same characteristics, these animals display it best.
Tourists From All Over Flock to See this Beautiful Island
Wouldn't you want to visit this beautiful island, filled with nothing but flowers?
6:34
Have You Ever Seen a More Beautiful Garden Than This?
Kayoichou Park is situated in Kasuya Town on the edge of Fukuoka City on the island of Kyushu, Japan. Take a look at the stunning rose garden there.
This May Be the Most Beautiful Tree in the World
The photos I am about to show you are of Japan’s largest Wisteria plant, also known as Wistaria. It is located in the Ashikaga Flower Park and while it's not the biggest in the world, many people say it is the most impressive.
9:53
What is a Tamandua? 8 Adorable But Incredibly Rare Animals
Watch 8 incredibly cute and exotic mammal species interact with each other as you learn about them and their habitat
Witness the Beauty of the Spectacular Canadian Rockies
This part of Canada is truly stunning. Take a look for yourself and see how wonderful the Canadian Rockies are.
Click to Transform Caterpillars Into Moths and Butterflies!
Both butterflies and moths have four stages of life, they go from the initial egg to a caterpillar, then to a cocoon and finally to a butterfly or moth. Watch these 18 interactive photos Before and After caterpillars transform.
5 Serious Medical Causes of Tunnel Vision
Tunnel vision can be a warning sign of several underlying severe health conditions ranging from eye diseases to stroke.
You Don’t Always Have to Venture Out to See Cute Animals
Sometimes, nature comes to us. Check out these unexpected animal encounters!
To enable your Ad-Free Subscription, please fill the fields below
Your subscription was successful, now you can enjoy an ad-free experience!! Note: To make sure you get no ads, please make sure to log in to your account. If you are logged in already, then refresh the page. The subscription can be cancelled at any time.