Finland : Photographing Bears

Nature photography can be quite a moving experience, the idea that you have captured a moment that will never be duplicated is very special indeed. As we all know from nature documentary outtakes, this branch of photography requires tremendous patience in order to gain a fleeting moment of success. Staying overnight in the hides means that if you wish you can stay up all night keeping your eyes peeled for the brown bear, wolverine, wild deer and perhaps even the lynx. 

Although nothing is guaranteed in the world of wildlife viewing, there is an excellent chance of seeing these brown bears provided that silence is observed within the hide, not only glimpsing them but observing their behavioural traits, from foraging and climbing to playing and scratching. As you familiarise yourself with this fascinating species, the potential for your photographic opportunities will undoubtedly increase.

The Nordic summer yields around twelve to sixteen hours of sunlight a day and this, in addition to two to four hours of twilight, provides unrivalled photographic opportunities and some particularly creative lighting effects. The viewing season stretches from May to September but for serious photographers, June and July offer optimum light conditions. Your host Ari Saaski, himself a renowned nature photographer will be on hand to offer advice and also impart information on all the local wildlife.

Bears are many people's favourite mammals. They have incredible strength, are unpredictable and can be fearsome but they are also incredibly endearing. Rarely seen during the day, the private life of these brown bears is indeed very private and you'll need a special set of circumstances in order to observe them. This trip is set in a lesser known area of Eastern Finland, close to the Russian border, where the population of brown bears is said to number around 1000. You'll spend the first night at a guesthouse then the following three nights in specially designed hides. Dotted across an area which contains ancient taiga forest and wetlands, the hides look out on a number of different eco-systems, creating perfect backdrops for your photographs. Observing these majestic animals undisturbed in their natural habitat, makes for a very rewarding experience and hopefully you'll return with a memory stick or two full of treasured images. Other species may be observed in the area including wolverine, reindeer, beaver and possibly even lynx. 

Whilst evenings/nights are spent at the hides, your days are free to relax or explore the area at your own pace. Hiking and walking are popular here, as is fishing and rowing on the lake. Whatever you decide to do, be sure to keep watch for a variety of birdlife as the area is home to the honey buzzard, common buzzard, sparrowhawk, goshawk and, deeper into the forest, capercaillie and black grouse.

Note hides are equipped with comfortable viewing chairs and an amplification system to aid listening to the animals as well as a sleeping area with dry toliet facilities. Remember to bring binoculars, tripod, bean bag or ball head (screw supplied).