Project Description

Experience memorable moments and capture fantastic pictures of the magnificent Golden Eagle
in the unique nature of Kuusamo!

Our Golden Eagle photography hides are in a spectacular fell landscape with a magnificent view over the Oulanka Canyon.

A pair of Golden Eagles holds their territory in the area and visits the site regularly. During the autumn photography season, there can also be young birds, usually until the beginning of October. During the winter season, more than ten other species frequent the site, such as the Black Woodpecker, Siberian Jay, Siberian Tit, Crested Tit, Gray-headed Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay, Raven and even a few red squirrels.

NATURE PROVIDES A WONDERFUL BACKDROP WITH THE CHANGING SEASONS

In autumn, all the bright autumn colors glow in the background for your photographs. The first snow usually falls as early as October, and by the end of December at the latest, the landscape is shrouded in beautiful snow. During the winter days with short daylight time from December through to January, it’s possible to get stunning backlight situations in the soft, amber sunlight coming at a very low angle.

In mid-winter, a phenomenon called the crown snow-load cakes the trees, creating magical forms and shapes in the landscape. The crown snow-load season lasts on average until the end of February.

ABOUT THE HIDES

There is a total of four hides: two connected hides for 4 + 5 people, and two connected hides for 2 + 3 people. If necessary, capacity can be increased with mobile hides. If you have special needs requirements for the hide, please let us know when booking.

Total capacity: 14 people

Equipment:

  • One lens hole per person. If a seat in the hide is vacant, its lens hole is available for use
  • Bring your own tripod head/video head to fix your camera onto a wooden shelf in the hide. Note: Tripods cannot be used
  • There is a dry toilet
  • Each hide has a gas heater

Photography season:  15 September to 30 April’
Photography session: 4 to10 hours depending on the season
Location:  An hour’s drive (75 km) from the centre of Kuusamo, with a 1.5-km-walk to the hides. If you’re driving a four-wheel vehicle, you can get as close as 400 metres from the hides. 

Price for independent photography session: 190 € / photographer / day
Price (briefing included): 310 € / photographer/ day

Extra services:

  • Guiding services 400 € / day
  • Snow mobile ride 50 € / one-way / photographer
  • Briefing for first-time visitors 120 € / photographer, 240 € / group

GOOD TO KNOW (FAQ)

Do I need briefing?

Briefing is mandatory for all photographers with no previous experience in photographing Golden Eagles from a photography hide. The briefing, carried out by a professional guide, includes valuable photography tips: how to work in the hide, how to use the heater, how to interpret the behavior of the birds, how to distribute the food, how to check the backgrounds, etc. This information will significantly improve first-time results.

Do I have the hide for myself?

There may also be other photographers in the hide. If you want a private hide or a photography session for your group only, it’s available at an additional cost.

What time of the year can you shoot?

The photography seasons are divided into an autumn season (15 September to 31 October) and a winter season (1 November to 30 April), depending on when the snow cover settles permanently. The first snow usually falls in October-November and permanent snow cover late November, early December at the latest. There is still snow in late April, early May.

How long does one photography session last?

One session lasts 4 to 10 hours depending on the season. Arrival at the hide in the dark is not mandatory. During the session, do not come out of the hide, as movement outside the hides will frighten the birds away.

What kind of clothing do I need for the photography hide?

In January and February, the temperature can drop below -25°C. Warm winter clothes are imperative: wool socks, gloves, a hat and thermal layers, with winter boots and jacket. Warm clothing is important eventhough the hide has a heater. If you do not have your own, we have warm boots and winter overalls that you can rent.

What is the distance to the birds and what kind of lens and equipment do I need to take with me?

Food for the eagles is put out about 20 to 30 metres from the hides. The trees where the eagles perch are about 40 to 50 metres away. Smaller birds are closer, about 5 metres from the hides.

We recommend 100-400mm / 150-600mm zoom lenses or 300-600mm telephoto lenses + extenders (optional). For pictures of birds in the landscape, it’s possible to use shorter lenses, for example, 70-200 mm.

CALENDARIO DE RESERVAS – HACER RESERVA

Disponible
Reservado
No disponible
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Precio: 190 € / persona / dia.
Servicios adicionales:
* El briefing, realizado por un guía profesional, incluye valiosos consejos fotográficos: cómo trabajar en el hide, cómo usar el calentador, cómo interpretar el comportamiento de las aves, cómo distribuir la comida, cómo verificar los fondos, etc. Esta información mejorará significativamente los resultados de la primera vez.

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CONSULTAS Y RESERVAS
EN ESPAÑOL:

Mikko Oivukka
mikko@kuusamonaturephotography.fi

¡Consulta todas nuestras posibilidades fotográficas aquí!