Varanger, Norway 150305-150311
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© NF Photos 150307, Båtsfjord, Varanger, Norway
I woke up
in good time and met the others at 5.00 h.
We had been
given some therm overalls so we should not freeze in the hide. It was rather
tricky to get it on the first time. And it made you feel like a truck. Båtsfjord at 5.40
Well, we
got to the hide at 5.30 and started to unpack and getting ready for the birds. We had scared them off when we arrived but the birds
soon came back to the location. It seemed as it was a fishing factory that dropped
of wastes and the birds came for it. Free breakfast I suppose. That´s great, the birds helped clean the
area and was helped surviving the winter at the same time. And also helped the locals to
get some much needed income. Three birds in one stone J not bad.
That´s me in the middle of the boat on the way to the hide.
Birds, gulls,eiders and other ducks, getting ready for breakfast.
It was a
bit tricky getting used to shoot from floor level. But finally I got the hang of
it. There was four very nice species that we came for. And they were there, and a
few others too. We had mostly sunshine in the morning. Beautiful light on the
birds.
King Eider Male and female images. The very reason for my trip.
At 9 we were picked up to go by boat and catch flying birds. Now it started to get a bit windy. At 11 we were back to the hotel for lunch and then
back to the boat for another trip, But now it was cloudy and really windy. We got sprayed with water and we even got
some snow. The wind increased and after an hour we had to go back to shore.
Rather
wet then.
Looking through my images I realize that it was good having three days in the hide and the boat. It certainly took a while to learn how to get the shots you wanted. The last images is much better then the first ones.
Back at the
hotel I took a cup of coffee and then slept for 2h. Dinner at 18.00, rather
long as we had no evening activity planned. And a few other people joined us at the table. Back to the room at 20.00 and fixing
things like images and charging batteries.
Tomorrow morning we will meet at 05.20 to go back to the hide. Right now it seem to be raining instead of snowing. Probably very slippery outside. We did have some problems with icy path between the parking and the entrance to the hotel.
Sky Watch Friday
Varanger on
NF Photo NF Birds around the world
Slept a bit on a sofa on second floor where there are no drought. But it is not really comfortable. I was awake to catch the first morning bus to Oslo train station. It departed at 5.30. Not much traffic at that time so I was in Oslo around 6.15.
Last day up north. Early morning as usual but as early as before. We had breakfast prepared for us in the kitchen. Just had to boil water for tea and coffee. Everyone eat what they wanted and prepared to take with them for mid morning snack. Hot coffee or tea ans such. And off we go.
We met again
for the last session in the hide. Early morning as usual. Not that much action today. The only change was that it was a little more waves outside the hide. My elbows are
sour after laying down on them and the birds seemed restless. But I got one last super cool shot. It feels sad to leave. I will probably never see these birds again and they brought me much joy. 
Woke up at
4.30 and met the gang at 5.20 to go to the hide. Spent the morning there. We had the breakfast pack with us so everyone was free to eat as they wanted. Or when a break was needed for back ache :) The second woman on the tour only had a small camera so she sat comfortably on a chair at the higher up openings. I, of course, had to check out every free opening there was. It was fun having the birds so close. Especially the male King Eiders, they were curious and several of them came looking into the hide openings, checking us out. :) 
Well, we
got to the hide at 5.30 and started to unpack and getting ready for the birds. We had scared them off when we arrived but the birds
soon came back to the location. It seemed as it was a fishing factory that dropped
of wastes and the birds came for it. Free breakfast I suppose. That´s great, the birds helped clean the
area and was helped surviving the winter at the same time. And also helped the locals to
get some much needed income. Three birds in one stone J not bad.
At 9 we were picked up to go by boat and catch flying birds. Now it started to get a bit windy. At 11 we were back to the hotel for lunch and then
back to the boat for another trip, But now it was cloudy and really windy. We got sprayed with water and we even got
some snow. The wind increased and after an hour we had to go back to shore.
Rather wet then.
For maps see blogpost Varanger
