Flying drones in spring

Spring is just around the corner. Nature is coming back to life: trees are turning green, flowers are blooming and the days are getting longer. This means that you can capture beautiful images with your drone again. Need inspiration for your next flight? In this blog, we share six topics that you can capture with your drone this spring and what you need to keep in mind.

What should you pay attention to in spring?

In addition to the European drone regulations, there are a number of additional points to consider in spring.

Breeding season

The breeding season runs from 15 March to 15 July. Drones can disturb birds during breeding. If birds are repeatedly disturbed, they may abandon their nests. Therefore, keep a sufficient distance from nests, breeding sites and trees where birds may breed. Also avoid flying over reed beds, riverbanks and open meadows where meadow birds breed. Do not fly in Natura 2000 areas.

Young animals

Many animals are born in the spring. Young animals are easily frightened by the sound and movements of a drone. Always keep a sufficient distance from animals, but be extra careful in the spring. Also keep extra distance from stables and meadows with lambs, calves or foals.

Weather conditions

Spring weather can be unpredictable. Wind, rain and temperature changes alternate rapidly. Always check the weather forecast before your flight. Spring storms can arise suddenly. It is best to fly when there is little wind; early in the morning is often the calmest time.

1. Tulip fields and flower fields

You can capture a typical Dutch spring scene above the tulip fields. From the air, you can see the beautiful colours, patterns and endless rows of flowers in a way that is impossible from the ground.

Most tulips bloom in April. Tulips are grown for their bulbs, not for the flowers themselves. After two to three weeks of flowering, the heads are cut off so that all the energy goes to the bulb. So you only have a short time to capture this moment.

Tip: The most famous fields are in the bulb-growing region around Lisse, but there you have to contend with lots of tourists and the Schiphol no-fly zone. Less crowded alternatives are the Kop van Noord-Holland, the Flevopolder and West Friesland.

Please note: Respect the growers. Never walk through the fields, take off from a safe distance and do not fly too low over the flowers.

2. Water landscapes and rivers

A subject that is often overlooked: water! Water looks its best in spring from the air. Rivers, lakes and ponds reflect the blue skies and the new greenery along the banks. Floodplains that are still partially flooded in spring produce spectacular patterns from above.

Look for the combination of water with blossoms or young greenery, a river winding through the edge of a forest, or a pond surrounded by yellow buttercups. The reflections in the water give your image extra depth.

Tip: Early in the morning, the water is often still as smooth as glass. This produces the most beautiful reflections. Later in the day, wind can disturb the water's surface.

3. Misty mornings

In spring, the ground is still cold while the air warms up during the day. This difference often causes misty mornings, especially above meadows and along rivers. With a drone, you can capture this beautifully: a layer of mist covering the landscape like a blanket.
It becomes even more spectacular when you find a subject that rises just above the fog. Think of a row of trees, a bridge, a windmill or a church tower rising like a silhouette from the mist.

Please note: Only fly in light fog. In thick fog, condensation can form on your drone's camera lens, blurring the images. In addition, you must always keep your drone in sight, which is not possible in poor visibility.

Tip: Combine fog with the golden hour just after sunrise. The warm light breaking through the fog gives the images a magical, almost cinematic look.

4. Bright green forests

In spring, the trees get their first leaves. The young foliage is bright green, a colour you only see during this period. Whereas in autumn you capture orange and gold, in spring you create images full of fresh, vibrant green.

From above, you can capture a forest as a pattern of green tones. Look for a path, a stream or a clearing that winds through the forest, as this will give your image a leading line and make the composition much more interesting. The best time to capture the fresh green trees is from mid-April to early May. You have a little more time for this than with flowers: the leaves gradually change colour to dark green.

Tip: Not all trees bud at the same time. This difference in shades of green actually makes your image more exciting, so embrace the variation.

5. Country roads and cycle paths

The Netherlands is full of narrow country roads and cycle paths that wind through the spring landscape. From the air, these form a natural leading line through your image. A dyke with flowering trees on either side, a cycle path through a field of flowers or a winding road along a canal are compositions that are invisible from the ground.

Tip: Look for S-bends or intersections. These add extra dynamism to your image. A single cyclist or walker on the path adds scale and brings the image to life.

6. Japanese cherry blossoms and fruit trees

In spring, Japanese cherry trees and other fruit trees are in full bloom. This creates a beautiful picture: soft white-pink trees against a bright blue sky. With a drone, you can capture this in a unique way. From above, it looks as if you are surrounded by pink clouds.

Tip: Try a top-down perspective for an abstract image or fly diagonally over the treetops to create depth.

The trees bloom for a short period, from mid-March to mid-May at the earliest. The flowering period lasts only two to three weeks. Would you like to capture these beautiful trees? Then take your drone out in good time and keep an eye on the flowering forecasts.

Where are you allowed to fly a drone?

Are you taking your drone out this spring? Always check before your flight whether you are allowed to fly at your desired location. Drone flying is permitted in open airspace, i.e. airspace where no other zones are active.

Renew your EU Drone Certificate

This year, the first EU drone certificates issued in 2021 will expire. An expired certificate cannot be renewed. You will then have to retake the entire exam. Therefore, before your drone flight, check when your EU Drone Certificate expires. You can easily renew it online via our refresher course.