Europe (including Svalbard)
ARCTIC NORWAY: BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY
Atlantic Puffins return to Hornøya in early spring when snowfall is still regular (Image by Espen Lie Dahl)
The wild Arctic landscape of Varangerfjord in northernmost Norway (Image by Audun Lie Dahl)
A male Steller's Eider streching his neck and looking to the sky as the last rays of sun shines on his back in northern Norway (Image by Roy Mangersnes)
Atlantic Puffins in the snow at Hornøya island, northern Norway (Image by Audun Lie Dahl)
A handsopme male Long-tailed Duck in winter plumage, northern Norway (Image by Roy Mangersnes)
Atlantic Puffin portrait amidst the snow in northern Norway (Image by Audun Lie Dahl)
A beautiful male Steller's Eider in northern Norway (Image by Roy Mangersnes)
A male King Eider portrait. These Arctic birds migrate from Siberia to winter in bays around the east coast of Finnmark in Norway, were they gather near docks and fishing vessels (Image by Roy Mangersnes)
The wonderful Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, can still be seen from time to time in early spring in northern Norway (image by Audun Lie Dahl)
Atlantic Puffin in flight (Image by Audun Lie Dahl)
Vardø, Varanger, northern Norway (Image by Audun Lie Dahl)
Portrait of European Shags, northern Norway (Image by Audun Lie Dahl)
King Eider male in the golden glow of sunrise in northern Norway (Image by Audun Lie Dahl)
Common and Brünnich's Guillemots (Common and Thick-billed Murres) in the snow at Hornøya, northern Norway (Image by Espen Lie Dahl)
In late March and early April, winter has hardly ended at Varangerfjord (Image by Audun Lie Dahl)
Atlantic Puffins in flight against the snow, Finnmark, northern Norway (Image by Audun Lie Dahl)
Steller's Eiders take to the air (Image by Roy Mangersnes)
Common Guillemot (or Common Murre) portrait, Finnmark, northern Norway (Image by Audun Lie Dahl)
A Gyrfalcon holds an Atlantic Puffin at Hornøya, Varanger, northern Norway (Image by Audun Lie Dahl)
Common Guillemots (or Common Murres) with sunrise reflection bokeh at Hornøya, northern Norway (Image by Audun Lie Dahl)
Light conditions as winter fades into early spring are perfect for bird photography in northern Norway, as this King Eider image demonstrates (Image by Roy Mangernes)
Black-legged Kittiwakes adorn the wild cliffs of Hornøya, northern Norway (Image by Audun Lie Dahl)
The hardy Purple Sandpiper is the only shorebird to winter at Varanger, Finnmark, northern Norway (Image by Audun Lie Dahl)
Portrait of a European Shag in northern Norway (Image by Espen Lie Dahl)
Atlantic Puffins return to Hornøya in early spring when snowfall is still regular (Image by Espen Lie Dahl)
The wild Arctic landscape of Varangerfjord in northernmost Norway (Image by Audun Lie Dahl)
A male Steller's Eider streching his neck and looking to the sky as the last rays of sun shines on his back in northern Norway (Image by Roy Mangersnes)
Atlantic Puffins in the snow at Hornøya island, northern Norway (Image by Audun Lie Dahl)
A handsopme male Long-tailed Duck in winter plumage, northern Norway (Image by Roy Mangersnes)
Atlantic Puffin portrait amidst the snow in northern Norway (Image by Audun Lie Dahl)
A beautiful male Steller's Eider in northern Norway (Image by Roy Mangersnes)
A male King Eider portrait. These Arctic birds migrate from Siberia to winter in bays around the east coast of Finnmark in Norway, were they gather near docks and fishing vessels (Image by Roy Mangersnes)
The wonderful Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, can still be seen from time to time in early spring in northern Norway (image by Audun Lie Dahl)
Atlantic Puffin in flight (Image by Audun Lie Dahl)
Vardø, Varanger, northern Norway (Image by Audun Lie Dahl)
Portrait of European Shags, northern Norway (Image by Audun Lie Dahl)
King Eider male in the golden glow of sunrise in northern Norway (Image by Audun Lie Dahl)
Common and Brünnich's Guillemots (Common and Thick-billed Murres) in the snow at Hornøya, northern Norway (Image by Espen Lie Dahl)
In late March and early April, winter has hardly ended at Varangerfjord (Image by Audun Lie Dahl)
Atlantic Puffins in flight against the snow, Finnmark, northern Norway (Image by Audun Lie Dahl)
Steller's Eiders take to the air (Image by Roy Mangersnes)
Common Guillemot (or Common Murre) portrait, Finnmark, northern Norway (Image by Audun Lie Dahl)
A Gyrfalcon holds an Atlantic Puffin at Hornøya, Varanger, northern Norway (Image by Audun Lie Dahl)
Common Guillemots (or Common Murres) with sunrise reflection bokeh at Hornøya, northern Norway (Image by Audun Lie Dahl)
Light conditions as winter fades into early spring are perfect for bird photography in northern Norway, as this King Eider image demonstrates (Image by Roy Mangernes)
Black-legged Kittiwakes adorn the wild cliffs of Hornøya, northern Norway (Image by Audun Lie Dahl)
The hardy Purple Sandpiper is the only shorebird to winter at Varanger, Finnmark, northern Norway (Image by Audun Lie Dahl)
Portrait of a European Shag in northern Norway (Image by Espen Lie Dahl)
ARCTIC NORWAY BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS WITH WILD IMAGES
In early spring in northern Norway many of the Arctic birds are returning to their breeding grounds. Join us in a unique and customized photo tour, focusing on Arctic bird photography in the most accessible part of the arctic region. Varangerfjord, situated at the extreme northeastern tip of Norway, is a wild and beautiful region that has, justifiably, long been famous among birdwatchers and bird photographers for its awesome opportunities.
During this bird photography trip in the Varanger area you will have some amazing encounters with Arctic wildlife. Varanger is the most northeasterly part of Norway, bordering Russia, and easily accessible with flights each day from Oslo. Due to the Arctic location, seabirds arrive when there are still very good chances for snow on the bird cliffs, making for perfect conditions for photography.
We will be based in Vardø, a beautiful, cosy fishing town (well, more like a big village in reality). We will stay at the comfortable Vardø Hotel and have direct access to the amazing Hornøya bird cliff, which houses around 100,000 nesting seabirds during the breeding season! In addition, the local Gyrfalcons, White-tailed Eagles and Northern Ravens patrol the cliffs and we may have the opportunity to get shots of the raptors attacking seabirds.
In addition we will have our own custom-built boat for photographers and we plan to have a revolutionary new floating hide available that will allow for water-level shots of King and Steller’s Eiders in pristine breeding plumage!
After a busy day at the seabird cliff of Hornøya or a day in the boat and hide we return to the hotel for a nice dinner in the hotel restaurant.
During the trip we will also offer two unique snorkeling sessions with the seabirds, giving you very good photo opportunities if you bring a waterproof or underwater camera with you.
Weather in Northern Norway at the beginning of spring can be rough, so therefore we need a flexible itinerary in order to be able to change plans according to the current weather conditions. If we have days with a lot of wind, we may not be able to get out to the bird cliff of Hornøya, but we still have a boat available so we can do photography sessions with King and Steller’s Eiders in the sheltered harbour. We also have cars available for taking us around to see and photograph the amazing Arctic landscapes of Varanger.
During the evenings we will keep a close look at the sky for the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights. The chances are lower than in mid-winter, but still quite good on clear nights. Our guide will know the best places to photograph the lights from in the Vardø area.
To give every photographer the very best photographic opportunities, this tour is strictly limited to 6 photographers maximum. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Accommodation
The hotel in Vardø is of a good standard.
Transport
Car or minibus (passenger van) and boat.
Climate
Cold at this time of year. Temperatures average around -5 to 0°C during daytime, although it can feel much warmer on still, sunny days and around 5°C colder on windy days (which are common enough in this part of the world). There is often some snowfall and sunny periods are interspersed with overcast weather.
Clothing
Being comfortable at this season is clearly a priority and we will provide detailed information in the pre-tour information pack. On occasion, you will need waterproof footwear (rubber boots, or you could even opt for waders) as there will be some opportunities at the shoreline itself.
Photographic Equipment
For bird photography, the ideal lenses for longer range subjects, or head shots, on this particular tour when using a DSLR are usually a 500mm or 600mm prime, with or without converters. If your budget does not run to big prime lenses, a high quality 400mm f5.6 or a 100-400mm or similar zoom with a converter on a crop-sensor body can be a very viable alternative. For closer individuals and flocks a shorter telephoto around 300mm will be excellent and there may even be opportunities for wide-angle shots.
For many other photography subjects, including some scenic shots, a telephoto in the 200-300mm range will often be useful. Varangerfjord offers some panoramic views and a wide-angle in the 16-28mm range is ideal.
You can also get wonderful results with many photography subjects with a high quality bridge camera with an 18-20x or higher optical zoom. If you have questions about what equipment you ought to bring, please contact us.
OUTLINE ITINERARY
- Day 1: xxxx
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PRICE INFORMATION
Wild Images Inclusions: Our tour prices include surface transportation, accommodations, meals and entrance fees.
Tips/Gratuities at the hotel are not included.
Deposit: US$1000 or equivalent. Our office will let you know what deposit amount is due, in order to confirm your booking, following receipt of your online booking form.
TO BOOK THIS TOUR: Click here (you will need the tour dates)
Single Room Supplement: No additional charge.
This tour is priced in US Dollars. Amounts shown in other currencies are indicative.
Air Travel To & From The Tour: Our in-house IATA ticket agency will be pleased to arrange your air travel on request, or you may arrange this yourself if you prefer.
ARCTIC NORWAY BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR: DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1
Arrive at Vardø airport. You will be transferred to the warm and comfortable Vardø Hotel for dinner and the first of our six nights in Arctic Norway.
Days 2-6
Five full days of photography in Varanger, including Hornøya, Vardø Harbour, Arctic landscapes and possible Northern Lights.
Day 7
The tour ends this morning after breakfast. A transfer to Vardø Airport will be provided.
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