Golden Eagle and White-tailed Eagle photography in Kuusamo 2011 (March- April)

In early part of winter; January- February, it make sense to book Eagle hides both in Oulu and in Kuusamo, but from March onwards Kuusamo is better for Eagles! Also in Kuusamo White-tailed Eagles are visiting the baits especially from late March onwards.

You will photograph the Eagles from different distances (from 20meters up to 50 meters) to give you a variety of shots. Winter 2008 we saw more than 20 times mating couple in front of the hide (distance 50m).

One additional day in this workshop is spent by the forest feeders with passerines and woodpeckers coming to the feeding site. Also there is good possibility to photograph one or two of the special Finnish owl species during this additional day. If there is a good owl situation one should book more days to concentrate on them.

Target species

Golden Eagle, White-tailed Eagle, Raven. 

Other birds from the eagle hide includes Siberian Tit, Siberian Jay, Willow Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker. You will be able to get really close to these birds and a wide angle lens with remote contol will be great for these photos.

Winter is beuatiful time in Kuusamo, since early part of the winter forest is covered with snow. Also there is fair chances for Aurora borealis images during the nights!

Our hides are well-insulated and even if there is -30 °C outside, it will be warm and cozy inside the hide! Hides are designed by photographers so one will be able to take also flight shots and images where eagles perch in trees or in snow. If possible, we always use natural baits e.g. arctic hare (road kills) and eagles are very eager to feed on them!

Lenses

For flight shots of Eagles 300 mm lens is ideal. For portraits 500 mm lens is better.
Converters can be used as well. For possible Northern Lights wide angle is the best choice.

There is no need to bring tripod. However, please bring your tripod head with you. You can attach your tripod head in board in our hides. Also bean bags can be borrowed here.

Drive to Oulanka National Park situated about 70 km distant from Kuusamo airport. Dinner and accommodation at Oulanka Research Station. Introduction of the following days' program.

Days 2.- 4. Three full days Eagle photography; there should be many White-tailed- and Golden Eagles visiting the baits. Early breakfast followed by transportation close to the Eagle hides. We should be in the hide well before sunrise to avoid disturbance of eagles. Days will be devoted to photographing Eagles. Departure is allowed from the hide around sunset. Other species possible to photograph from the hides are Ravens and Siberian Jay, Siberian Tit etc.

Day 5. One full day other photography in Kuusamo region. Species possible includes passerines and woodpeckers at the feeders, Dippers on winter rivers and even some of the Owl species in region, which might include Great Grey-, Hawk- or Pygmy Owl.

Day 6. After morning photography departure from Kuusamo airport.

Departures for Golden Eagle photography workshops in Kuusamo for 2011

Special conditions

Reasonable fitness is required. There will be skido transportation to the hide. One need to be prepared to sit fairly long day in hide (length of the day depends on time of the year!)

Price includes

• Transportation from Kuusamo airport
• Finnature guide services throughout the trip
• Three days in Eagle pro-hides
• Heater in pro-hides
• Full board (breakfast, packed picnic lunch, dinner)
• Accommodation at Oulanka National Park research station for 5 nights

Group size

Min 3 persons and max 6 persons.

Methods of payment

1. If you wish to pay by credit card, please fax your credit card details to +358 8 381 914 or call to +358 45 129 4264. In this case please advise credit card number, expiry date/ year and security number (three last digits/numbers from back side of your card where your signature is)

2. Bank transfer is also possible. When payment will be settled by either of the above methods, you will receive electronic Confirmation of Order by e-mail. Please take your Confirmation of order with you. Payment will be settled after the trip.
 

3. Payment is possible in cash on site.

Terms and conditions of booking

The trip should be booked latest 7 days before the trip. If the minimum group size requirement of 3 persons on set trip won´t be realized, the particular trip will be cancelled. You can change the trip to another, if your provisionally booked trip won´t materialize.

Flights to Kuusamo

• www.finnair.com

Accommodation

Oulanka research station in Kuusamo 

Weather

Temperature can get as low as –30 °C, but the average temperature is usually between –10 and -15 °C. If there is rain, it should be snow, which looks nice in photos. There should be snow cover on the ground and on trees.