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!
10 Brilliantly Detailed Animal Portraits by Sophie Green
Animals are more than creative muse for artist Sophie Green. She uses her brilliant, realistic animal portraits to raise awareness for wildlife conservation.
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...
15 Powerful Photos Capturing the Drama of Nature
From powerful landscaped to majestic wildlife, we just had to to share 15 more of the winning images form the Tokyo International Foto Awards.
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.
Australian Wildlife is Extreme. Birds Are No Exception
No other country has astounding wildlife quite like Australia. You can be sure their birds aren't any different!
I Can't Believe People Go to Such Lengths For a Photo!
Get ready to see some of the most epic and creative photos ever snapped!
When Left Alone, Nature Eventually Takes Over...
Spectacular pictures of abandoned places being reclaimed by nature.
These Horses All Have the Most Amazing Hair!
These horse breeds all have an amazing hair! Enjoy getting to know some of the world's most beautiful horse breeds, along with some facts.
All Dogs Are Loyal, But Which Breeds are the MOST Loyal?
Dogs have been man's best friend for millennia now, but there are some breeds that exhibit traits of undying loyalty. Here are the top 10 most loyal dog breeds.
Ocean Photographer of the Year 2024: 18 Winning Pics
Marvel at the best winning shots from the Ocean Photographer of the Year 2024.
7:24
Must Watch: The Invisible Miracles of Nature
This filmmaker takes you on an in-depth journey of the incredible expansive universes present in our universe.
5:47
These Are the Most Adorable Animals You've Never Heard of!
Have you ever heard of a pangolin? If not, then you're in for a pleasant surprise as they're some of the cutest animals we've ever seen!
19 Flower Species that Celebrate the Summertime with Beauty
Summertime in the northern hemisphere is decorated by some of the most beautiful flowers you've seen.
16 Breathtaking Images of Our Planet's Natural Wonders
Take a look at these 16 incredibly well-timed photos of some of our planet's most spectacular natural wonders.
Tiny Animals in Stunning Detail: 16 Macro Photos
These macro shots reveal the intricate beauty of tiny insects and creatures.
11:54:56
This Incredible Documentary is Nature You Can Leave On
This 11-hour-long documentary is beautiful throughout its length, and can be a wonderful "background video" to put while you do other things and want to enjoy some beauty and the sounds of nature.
10:01
A Nature Time-Lapse Video that Left My Mouth Agape!
An amazing video made form thousands of still photographs taken throughout North America
When You Look to the Sky at Night, Look For These Figures
Get ready to become an astronomical expert with these depictions of the stories behind the most famous constellations in the world.
9 Fun & Fascinating Facts About Beluga Whales
Beluga whales are more than just cute marine animals. Here are some playful facts about them.
15:25
6 Unusual Animals From Ancient Egypt That No Longer Exist
Here are six extinct species the ancient Egyptians actually knew—and why they’re gone for good.
The Beauty of Wild Cats in 14 Mesmerizing Photos
Enjoy these incredible images of wild cats thriving in the wild.
19:12
Dads of the Wild: Animal Kingdom's Paternal Protectors
These animal fathers show unwavering dedication.
These 20 Cute Bonsai Are a Cut Above the Average Tree
Trust the Japanese to have the most beautiful miniature trees in the world. These 20 bonsai's are so fabulous!
There Are So Many Beautiful Types of Orchids...
There are over 25,000 types of orchid. Here are some of my favorites...
What Did These Breeds Look Like a Century Ago?
Certain breeds of dogs have changed a lot over the last century. Check out some of their evolutionary changes here.
15 Riveting Images Perfectly Depicting Nature's Beauty
These photos are so perfectly timed, it beggars belief. In addition, they're also supplemented by truly stunning nature and wildlife. View these 15 images now.
15 of the Smallest Animals to Inhabit the Earth!
Have you ever wondered what is the smallest animal in the world is? If you have, you’ve certainly come to the right place.
These Are the Most Expensive Gems and Minerals on Earth
There are millions of stunning gems in this world that decorate our jewelry, but you won't find these super rare rocks in any jewelry store!
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.
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......
Australia Is Home to Some of the World’s Cutest Animals
Australia is home to most living marsupials, a family of mammals unlike any other on earth.
Walk Through the Stunning Landscapes of Oregon, USA
Take a look at the stunning photos of photographer Ross Lipson.
These Books Should Be on Every Nature Lover’s Bookshelf
If you are craving adventure and a deep dive into the mysteries of the wilderness, check out this list.
Horse Kingdom: Exploring the 15 Most Stunning Horse Breeds
Many beautiful horse breeds have been developed over the course of the centuries, but some are more beautiful than others... Take a look.
Witness The Magical World of Brazil’s Terra Ronca Cave
Treasures buried in the heart of the earth are not only silver and gold but also rare natural wonders. This is the Terra Runica Cave, enjoy your tour!
The Wildest Things You’ve Never Seen in Nature (16 Pics)
These photos redefine how we see the natural world.
Stunning Wildlife Shots from Kenya's Wilderness
Explore the magic of Kenya's wildlife through the lens of photographer Peter Delaney.
20 Weird Animal Eating Habits We Never Think About
The natural world can be both a weird and wonderful place, as the facts you are about to learn certainly prove.
14:58
We Bet You Didn’t Know These Cute Mammals Were THIS Smart!
These two cute and fluffy mammal species are so intelligent. We are impressed, and you will, too!
6:28
10 Cat Breeds That Act More Like Dogs
In this video we are going to introduce you to 10 species of cats that act almost like dogs!
The Complete Guide to Flower Etiquette!
Flowers are perfect for every event. This guide explains when to gift the perfect flower.
This Photographer Captured the Majesty of Maine Coon Cats
Photographer Robert Sijka is a cat aficionado, and he also happens to be an excellent photographer. Take a look at his work with Maine Coon cats.
Into the Wild: 17 Pics of Elusive Insects in Indonesia
Photographer Mofeed Abu Shalwa has documented rare insects that few humans have ever laid eyes on.
Nature's Wonders: 14 Fascinating and Gorgeous Plants
These are some of the most interesting plants we have seen in a while.
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!
Gallery: Intimate Glimpses Into the Lives of Wild Animals
These intimate wildlife photos will remind you precious nature is.
Nature Always Finds a Way – 13 Powerful Pics
Enjoy these amazing pictures showing the power and beauty of Mother Nature.
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.