Project Description
Some highlights
- Wild Golden Eagles as close as 10 m away
- Great opportunities to capture images of Golden Eagles interacting with Ravens and sometimes fox
- Three days in very well-built hides
- Chances to photograph both White-tailed Sea Eagles and Goshawks
- Chances to photograph Siberian Jays, Grey-headed Woodpeckers, Bullfinches and other birds
- You will be given photographic advice in a small group with similar interests
Early in the morning, when it is pitch dark, we walk out into the northern wintery forest towards our photo hides, where we will spend the day. Once we have installed our equipment it is time to wait for the light. Suddenly, a movement in the morning half-light, we peer out of the openings in the hide to see a dark shadow. The Golden Eagle is early today. Impatiently, we await the light of day before we can start taking pictures of the feeding Eagle
The Golden Eagle is one of the largest predators in Sweden, and a stunningly beautiful bird that many nature photographers dream of photographing. We now provide excellent opportunities to capture great photos of these birds as close as 10 m from well-built, heated hides.
The Eagles appear very regularly and offer world-class photo opportunities. The Eagles will provide action with Foxes, Ravens and sometimes even White-Tailed Sea Eagles, often at a range approaching the close focusing limits of your lens.
We will also have a chance to photograph many of northern Swedens’ winter inland bird species. With a bit of luck we will have species like the Grey-headed Woodpecker, Siberian Jay, Eurasian Jay, Bullfinch, Greater-spotted Woodpecker, various tits and Goshawks outside the hide.
This time of year, with a high likelihood of cold, snowy, wintery landscapes, there is often an interesting semi-arctic winter light, with vivid colors and long shadows. Together with the possibility of snowfall, this will give our photography an extra dimension.
Itinerary
Day 1 (2/2) (Dinner)
Arrival at Kalvträsk and our accommodation.
Day 2 – 4 (3 – 5/2) (Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner)
We spend the days in hides from early morning to early evening, photographing Golden Eagles and other birds. We rotate between hides according to a schedule.
Day 5 (6/2) (Breakfast)
After breakfast we start our journey home.
Mer information
Telezoom lens, e.g. 70-200 mm or 80-400 mm, provides very good conditions for taking varying pictures of birds.
To increase the focal length if you have a shorter telephoto or a zoom, you can use teleconverters, preferably only 1.4x, because they are sharpest.
For close-ups of eagles and small birds, 200mm – 400mm is proposed, for escape and landscape pictures 300mm – 600mm.
If you have access to two camera housings, it is good to have both. Tripods can be useful if it is possible to e.g. aurora borealis photo at night.
Bring your own so-called tripod head e.g. Wimberley head
or tilt swivel, couplings are in the hiding place. Beanbags are also available.
The temperature in Västerbotten in January is often several degrees below zero and can drop to about -25 degrees. Real winter clothes and winter boots are good to have! The hides are heated.
The tour begins and ends in Kalvträsk. Transport to and from Skellefteå Airport or Bastuträsk station can be arranged, price SEK 1,500 round trip / person. The transport is performed by our local guide.
We strongly recommend that you carefully review your travel insurance before the tour. Read the terms and conditions about what may and may not be included. It is important to check that compensation is included for travel home / ambulance transport in the event of an accident or serious illness. Often, for example, the travel cover in a regular home insurance needs to be supplemented.
The tour guides on our trips speak Swedish and English.
