Rugged Finland Coastline
Taken as we flew in to Helsinki
Our Transport
Ski-Doos were to be our transport to get us out to the hides which were about 5km out in the wilderness
Main road to the lodge
Snow-mobile tracks are sign-posted like our roads
The main lodge
Our accommodation
The accommodation was very comfortable, though we only slept there one night as we spent 16 hours per day in the hides.
The Ski-doo
This is a powerful snow-mobile that is ised to tow our slay.
This is where the family lived and where we had our meals.
Willow Tit
This is a very tiny bird about the same size as a wren
WIllow Tit
Great Tit
Red Squirrel with his winter coat
Male Bullfinch
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Ravens
The frozen swamp by the hides was a favourite meeting spot for the local ravens
Wolverine
There were no bear sightings on the first night in the hide but I did spot this wolverine in the dark at 4.30am. Hence the noisy photo.
Hoar Frost
The first night dropped to a chilly -15C and a wonderful hoar frost appeared that was lit by the rising sun.
Great Tit out in the snow
WIllow tit braving the cold
Female Bullfinch
Jani burying salmon for the bears
To attract the bears, Jani burried fresh salmon fish-heads and bone about 6" below the surface of the frozen swamp
Brown Bear
This was our first bear that appeared on the 2nd night. It was a very large adult male. As my first sighting of a bear he looked pretty intimidating.
Starting to search for food
At this point he was looking straight at me and marching steadily in my direction.
He veered off following the scent.
Brown bear
He's back heading for me again and getting closer!
Still coming
Phew, he's found the salmon
Sitting down to enjoy the feast
Keep clear!
He's up again.
Looking for more salmon
These are strange birds as they are always jumping up and down with lost of wing fluttering
On the lookout
Bait
This is the remains of a dead pig that was put out for the winter to keep the bears interested in visiting the swamp
This was taken back at the lodge in their garden
Red Squirrel
In his winter coat enjoying sunflower seeds
Rescue
These are the Ski-Doos coming to collect us after a night in the hides. The big box is used to hold our camera kit and we sit on the slays. The slay ride was great fun but a bit rough at times as the slays are all metal with no suspension and we were travelling over frozen snow and ice.
This bear caught us all be surprise and came in close to our hides so we had had to quickly swap from our long telephoto lenses.
Brown Bear looking smug
Brown Bear looking like he wouldn't hurt a fly!
Sat down to enjoy some fresh salmon
