Varanger, Norway 150305-150311
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©
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. :)
The ducks were eating ice. I guess it was to get sweet water into the system. Not only salty sea water.
King Eider and Steller´s Eider
Long-tailed Duck ( alfågel)
Two images from inside the hide. As you can see it was not an easy task to get used to shot the birds outside.
Especially if they came too close as the King Eider males used to do. It´s me to the left.
At ten the morning shift was over and we had some free time before lunch at 11. After that we met at 12 for another boat ride. Gorgeous weather and great number of birds.
Black-legged Kittiwake (tretåig mås) to the left
After the boat ride I and Andreas decided to take a walk down to the water to try to find the Purple Sandpiper ( Skärsnäppa). It was not far but we still managed to take the wrong road down to the beach. We did find it and we also saw a pair of Black Guillemot (Tobisgrissla) and two seals. Some ugly ones IMO.
Varanger on NF Photo NF Birds around the world
click photo to view with Lightbox
©
150308 Sunday
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. :) The ducks were eating ice. I guess it was to get sweet water into the system. Not only salty sea water.
King Eider and Steller´s Eider
Long-tailed Duck ( alfågel)
Two images from inside the hide. As you can see it was not an easy task to get used to shot the birds outside.
Especially if they came too close as the King Eider males used to do. It´s me to the left.
At ten the morning shift was over and we had some free time before lunch at 11. After that we met at 12 for another boat ride. Gorgeous weather and great number of birds.
After the boat ride I and Andreas decided to take a walk down to the water to try to find the Purple Sandpiper ( Skärsnäppa). It was not far but we still managed to take the wrong road down to the beach. We did find it and we also saw a pair of Black Guillemot (Tobisgrissla) and two seals. Some ugly ones IMO.
Slept an h in the afternoon and took a shower.
I could borrow a cable from A and then uploaded my images to the laptop. Feels good to have a backup. Dinner at 18.00
and then we met to look at some images and maybe share some technique in image manipulation.
But then
the woman in charge this evening came and told us there were an aurora in the
sky. We closed the meeting and went out hunting aurora. Sadly we did not see much, It was a weak aurora and also clouds moving over. But we did see it! Back at 21.00 and went
online, packed most of my things as we are leaving tomorrow and wrote the diary. To bed at 22.45 and then up at 4.45 for the last visit
to the hide.
A PR video from the hide:
King Eider male having fun
Lots of light everywhere in these shots
Labels: Resor, travel, trip, journey, Sverige, Sweden, sky, photo, photography, Monica Johansson, NatureFootstep, nfphoto, NF_photo, nature, natur, fågelskådning, birding, resa, travel, birding, Black-legged Kittiwake, Båtsfjord, King Eider, light, ljus, Norge, Norway, photography, Steller´s Eider, tretåig mås, Varanger, Long-tailed Duck, Alfågel,
So look to the western skys and, though it won't be as dramatic as the Aurora, you will see the green glow of envy coming from afar (Illinois to be exact). Though I don't know if I could have crumpled myself up in a hide that narrow, I would have loved to be there to see all of those magnificent birds (I notice you didn't include pictures of the ugly seals, Ha!). This looks like a wonderful trip, Monica and your are right there is light everywhere ... I especially like the reddish light on the water with the Steller,s, Eider. And, I agree that it is good to have a back up. One never knows what can happen. So happy for you that you had this opportunity, Monica. It certainly was a rewarding adventure.
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From The Sol
lol, yes, I noticed some green light coming your way. I like challenges like that. Makes me feel alive :)
DeleteI'd be very excited to see a King Eider!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool trip! The Eiders are awesome and I love the Long tailed Duck. Great post and photos. Have a happy day and week ahead!
ReplyDeleteThe scenery is very beautiful and the birds are great but I don't think I could have crumpled up on the floor like that to take photos!
ReplyDeleteSuch an adventure, love these shots. It looks very cold there.
ReplyDeleteMust be so exciting to take that tour. The eider looks so cute.
ReplyDeletelooks freezing cold there, but you got some great shots :-)
ReplyDeleteLovely shots!
ReplyDeleteThe King Eider is a very special looking bird. Well captured.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a cold place to watch birds, but quite an adventure. - Margy
ReplyDeleteHow exciting! What wonderful photos! This looks like a great way to see the birds and sea mammals and scenery...even the aurora! How I'd love to do it one day!
ReplyDeletethanks guys!
ReplyDeleteYou are certainly more determined that I would ever be! Great photos and well worth your effort, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteWow! What a wonderful trip and fantastic birds. Looks so cold.
ReplyDeleteWonderful series, I love the eider splashing in the water.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post and such beauty in the male Elder~
ReplyDelete:)
ReplyDelete