Join us for a few exciting days near the Russian border, photographing predators against the colours of autumn, with their winter coats. We will sit in comfortable camouflage hides and, over the course of these days, hopefully have the opportunity to photograph bears, wolves and wolverines at close range.
Finnish bear photographer Lassi Rautiainen was the first to establish bear photography tourism in the Finnish border forests. Today, he welcomes photographers from all over Europe. This is the only place in the world where, over the course of a few days, you have the opportunity to photograph three of our large predators in the wild: bears, wolverines and wolves. Bears are the most common visitors, but in recent years wolves have also become regular guests at the feeding sites. It is a truly special experience when several bears and wolves roam around the camouflage hides. Lassi has been feeding predators at the same locations for many years. Today, his son Sami has taken over most of the operation.
In a hide located on a marsh in no-man’s-land – that is, in the border zone with Russia – you may encounter both bears and wolves, often with plenty of interaction between the animals. At a small lake, you can sit in a camouflage hide and photograph bears reflected in the water. Wolves also visit this location, and occasionally wolverines. In the forest hide, you can photograph both bears and wolverines. Participants will have the opportunity to spend time at all the different locations. Naturally, we cannot guarantee that everyone will get photographs of every species. These are wild animals, but the chances of successfully photographing some of them are very good.
The animals may come right up to the hides, but the usual photographic distance is around 20–30 metres. Some people may feel uneasy with predators roaming around nearby, but nothing frightening has ever happened in connection with Lassi’s predator photography tours. Both bears and wolves keep their distance from people walking in the forest, and no bears have ever attempted to damage the camouflage hides. The course leaders have spent many hours in these hides and have never felt uncomfortable or unsafe. Instead, this is a magnificent wildlife experience that you will remember for a long time.
Daily schedule
At this time of year, we spend the daytime in the camouflage hides. We have breakfast at 9:00 am, leave for the hides around 11:00–12:00, stay there until 5:30 pm and have dinner at 6:00 pm. We spend all nights indoors rather than in the camouflage hides, as we normally do on our other trips.
Several people can sit in each camouflage hide, with two viewing and photography openings per person. There are chairs, but there is also room to lie down. The hides are equipped with heaters at this time of year.
During the day, we stay at the comfortable basecamp, a large lodge where participants are allocated a room and bed. In the dining room, you can edit and transfer your photographs. Showers and a sauna are also available.
Natur&Foto editors Tom Schandy and Baard Næss will accompany the group as tour leaders. Guidance and assistance are provided throughout the trip. In the evenings, we will gather to review photographs and share advice and tips. This is a golden opportunity to learn more about wildlife and nature photography from two of Norway’s most prominent nature photographers. They will also photograph alongside the participants, allowing you to receive practical tips and guidance in the field.
