The natural areas in which Vincent often walks are vast. Since the nineteenth century, large areas have been cultivated for agriculture. For example, the Rucphen heath has largely disappeared. Yet large areas have remained intact and are protected by organizations such as Natuurmonumenten and the Brabants Landschap, such as the Pannenhoef between Zundert and Etten-Leur. In Klein-Zundert, in the direction of Schijf and Rucphen, is Landgoed De Moeren. This is still owned by the Van der Hoeven family. This Protestant family acquired the land in the sixteenth century from the lord of Breda for peat extraction. The old café In den Anker dates from that time. Later forests were planted and the estate was transformed into a country estate. The large country house dates from 1818. In Vincent's time, Prof. Henri van der Hoeven (1843-1924) was one of the residents. Given the close connection with the Dutch Reformed Church, it is plausible that Reverend Van Gogh and his family visited the estate. Since 2020, a Flemish barn on the estate has been in use as a guest studio of the Vincent van GoghHuis.
Part of the estate towards Achtmaal was split off by inheritance in 1900 and came into the possession of the socialist poet Henriette Roland Holst. Together with her husband and artist Richard Roland Holst, she had a home and studio built here. In the first half of the twentieth century, she received numerous guests from the world of art, literature, and politics, including Herman Gorter, Hendrik Pieter Berlage, Charley Toorop, and Jan Veth, in the Buisse Hoeve with men's room from 1809.
This area of forest and heathland is home to rare species of birds. It is an attraction for birdwatchers. Vincent loves birds. He owns Jules Michelet's 1856 edition L'Oiseau, which contains engravings by Hector Giacomelli of birds and nests. From childhood he collects bird nests, which he later compares to peasant huts. In Nuenen, he later paints a number of still lifes of nests. He then writes to his brother Theo: "Tomorrow I am going to paint a case on another village - also a hut - in smaller format. I have it. Sunday found on a large togt which I did in company with a farmer's boy - to get a wren's nest magiged - We found there, it was a place Bodmer would have dabbled with without doubt. And they were all nests where the young had already fledged so that one could take them without too much qualms of conscience. It was so real, I have other beautiful nests as well.
