Join us to the very north of Norway in February, and photograph the beautiful King eider, Stellar´s eider, Long-tailed duck, mountain hares and reindeer in magical winter light. From the world-famous floating hides in Båtsfjord to the wild Varanger coast, we explore the very best of Arctic winter wildlife.

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Arctic ducks: King eider, Steller’s eider and Long-tailed duck

In February, the sun has returned to northern Norway after the polar night. The quality of the winter light in combination with the wild and undisturbed landscape makes it a wonderful place for photography. Though it might seem void of life at first glance, a group of highly specialized arctic species can be found and photographed in the wonderful winter conditions.

 

In the harbour of Båtsfjord, a small town at 70 degrees north on the Varanger peninsula, arctic ducks like the King eider, Steller´s eider and Long-tailed duck spend the winter. From the comfort of the world-renowned floating hides in Båtsfjord, we photograph these beautiful ducks of the high arctic. In the protected harbor waters, we lie safe and dry and can photograph from eye-level just above the waterline with these otherwise shy birds behaving like we were not there. After the morning session in the hides, we head out to sea for a boat trip in an open RIB. Here, we can photograph the arctic ducks in a different environment and get flight shots, with the beautiful mountains of Båtsfjord in the background. 

 

Where other tour operators only spend one morning with the Arctic ducks, this tour focuses especially on the King eider, Steller´s eider and Long-tailed duck. That is why we can also visit in the best period to photograph these species, when both the number of birds and the light is at its best. Photographing from different hides in the harbor and from an open boat out on the fjord, we maximize the time you spend behind the camera with these mesmerizing birds.

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Varanger

The coast of the Varanger Peninsula is a distinctive and rugged landscape. Shaped by the Arctic climate, coastal rock formations and vast stretches of untouched tundra define the character of the region. In this environment, a select group of highly specialized species thrive. In addition to the Arctic ducks, Reindeer, Mountain hares and Willow grouse inhabit the tundra. White-tailed eagles are often seen along the coast. At this time of year the first Kittiwakes return from a winter at sea, to the bird cliffs or urban breeding colonies in fishing town harbors. Along the shoreline, Purple sandpipers forage among the waves. With some luck, we may also encounter an Arctic fox in its white winter coat, a Hawk owl hunting for rodents, or a Gyrfalcon patrolling its territory.

 

Mountain hares in the night

To maximize our time in Varanger, we visit a photography hide specializing on Mountain hares in the night. Artificial backlight lets us get spectacular images of the white and fluffy hares in the night, as they forage, interact and fight. Occasionally, an Arctic fox might also visit the hide. With snowfall or wind whirling up the snow and the backlight, we can get some amazing conditions for photography.

 

Landscapes and northern lights

The primary focus of the tour is wildlife photography, but we will also take advantage of suitable conditions for landscape and northern lights photography when possible.

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Group size and level of fitness

We’ve chosen to limit the group size to just four to six participants to ensure the best possible wildlife photography experience. A smaller group allows for a quieter presence in the field, increasing our chances of close encounters with the animals and giving everyone more space and flexibility to capture unique shots.

 

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You will be transported to all the hides. During our outings where we do not use hides, we will have to walk on foot into the terrain. Some wildlife sightings can be right next to the road. While for some other photo opportunities we will need to walk about an half an hour into the terrain. Please be prepared to make some short hikes. 

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Itinerary

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• Day 0: To ensure that we get the most out of our days, you will arrive in Kirkenes on the evening before our tour starts. The guide will pick you up at the airport. Overnight at a hotel.

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• Day 1: Breakfast at the hotel, then we drive to Båtsfjord. We will stop if we see wildlife on the way. When we arrive, we check in and head out to photograph birds at a feeding. Overnight stay and dinner at the hotel.

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• Day 2: We head out before dawn to the floating hides in Båtsfjord harbour. Experience close encounters and fantastic photo opportunities with King eiders, Steller´s eiders and Long-tailed ducks. We bring a breakfast package from the hotel to the hides. Half a day in the hides is followed by a boat trip in the fjord, photographing the arctic ducks in a different environment and with possibilities of flight shots. After lunch, we can visit the bird feeding or a day hide for the arctic ducks, explore Båtsfjord or edit our images. Overnight stay and dinner at the hotel.

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• Day 3: We head out before dawn to the floating hides in Båtsfjord harbour. Experience close encounters and fantastic photo opportunities with King eiders, Steller´s eiders and Long-tailed ducks. We bring a breakfast package from the hotel to the hides. Half a day in the hides is followed by a boat trip in the fjord, photographing the arctic ducks in a different environment and with possibilities of flight shots. After lunch, we can visit the bird feeding or a day hide for the arctic ducks, explore Båtsfjord or edit our images. Overnight stay and dinner at the hotel.

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• Day 4: Early start where we look for Willow ptarmigan and other wildlife. After breakfast we depart from Båtsfjord and head for the Varanger fjord. Along the way, we will look for Willow ptarmigan, Hawk owls and Moose. In the afternoon we look for Reindeer, Mountain hares, White-tailed eagles and Purple sandpipers along the Varanger coast. We eat dinner in one of the local restaurants. In the evening we will go to the Mountain hare hide. Overnight stay at a hotel.

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• Day 5: Early breakfast and a full day in the field looking for Mountain hares, Reindeer, Willow ptarmigan, Hawk owls and other wildlife along the Varanger coast. We eat dinner in one of the local restaurants. In the evening, we will go to the Mountain hare hide. Overnight stay at a hotel.

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• Day 6: Breakfast at the hotel, then transfer in our minibus back to Kirkenes Airport.

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Or contact us for inquiries for other dates and other questions.