Wild Raptor Photography

with

Wild Photographer and Finnature

Eagles, Owls and other Raptors on Snow

Finland offers unique opportunities to photograph wild Eagles, Owls, Goshawk and other powerful raptors

Working with our partners Jari and Kasia Peltomaki of Finnature, the leaders in the field of bird photograpy, we are able to offer unique opportunities to photograph these incredible raptors in the Finnish Winter. Temperatures can drop to -30 degrees centigrade, but we will be warm and safe in heated hides, photographing these incredible birds without disturbing them.

Holiday Dates

12-17 February 2024. 5 people. Deposit: £350 on booking. Fully Booked.

26 Feb-3 March 2025 Exact cost tbc £3750. Deposit £375 on booking. 5 places available.

Outline Itinerary

Day 1 We meet as a group at Heathrow airport for flights to Helsinki (3hrs), then Oulu (1hr). On arrival in Finland, we are picked up from the airport and taken to our comfortable accomodation. After settling in and dinner, there is potential for aurora photography, depending on weather and conditions.

Day 2 We spend the morning in local hides. The afternoon / overnight at the Eagle Owl Hide photographing Owls, Goshawk and passerines

Day 3 Early morning in the Eagle Owl hide. We then travel to find Great Grey and other unusual Owls in the snowy northern region. Potential aurora photography after dinner.

Day 4 and 5 An early start to be at the Golden Eagle hide. Overnight at Villa Finnature.

Day 6 Morning in local hide. PM Departure

More information

I am slowly writing a much longer post on my news blog about this holiday. Click on the link below

Raptor Adventures in Finland

Goshawk feeding, by Nick, from the Eagle Owl hide

Suitable for photographers with some experience

This Wild Photography holiday will primarily be hide-based and will require a mid-level mirrorless / DSLR camera or better with lenses suitable for high speed and low light photography. You will need a lens with an equivalent focal length of 600mm or more.

Our subjects are wild creatures and to get the shot, you will need some experience. We will be present in the hides and in the field with you at all times to provide assistance as required and to ensure you can get the pictueres you want. In the evenings,we can offer help with optimising your images to make them look their best.

If you have any questions on cameras or lenses and focal lengths, please call or message us. We are happy to help.

Despite temperatures ranging from zero to -30 C outdoors, you will be warm and comfortable at all times.

Hawk Owls frequently hunt from the top of trees

Included in your holiday

Comfortable warm full board accommodation (no single supplement) with great food
use of Finnature's warm and comfortable hides, with guidance or tuition as needed
optional Adobe Lightroom / Photoshop / post-production training
tea and coffee + snacks / chocolate during the day
all transport and guiding

Not Included

flights from your location to / from Oulu (OLU)
alcoholic beverages
personal items
personal travel insurance

Why book this holiday with us?

Finland in snow is beautiful and very different from other photographic destinations. The birds we see are entirely wild and at one with their unique environment, making for beautiful and unusual pictures.

Jari Peltomaki is acknowledged to be one of the world's finest bird photographers. The hides have been setup with extreme care and attention to detail to ensure that we get the pictures we want.

Nick is an expert photographer and teacher - with 30 years experience as an advertising and editorial photographer, he has proven ability and the knowledge to help even advanced photographers improve their technique, camera settings and presentation of their photographs.

From camera setup to effective gimbal use through to image processing in software like Lightroom, everyone will take plenty of knowledge away from these trips, together with a set of beautiful pictures.

Much of the holiday is hide-based with no challenging terrain to negotiate.

Cold weather clothing is recommended. We can provide advice on suitable and sensibly priced options.

Aurora borealis behind our well appointed accomodation in Finland. Taken by Nick on our first night in Finland in 2022

Testimonials

Our trips are built on a passion for wildlife, birds, photography and a great deal of hard work, to ensure the best possible experience. Our guests recognise this and we've had some lovely feedback. Here is one that we received after our first trip to Finland in February / March 2023:

"My recent trip to Finland was an amazing, unforgettable experience.

My first visit to a snowy land & my first experience of taking photographs in snow, a context which provided many exposure challenges. Nick was always on hand with help & advice about this and anything else. I learned so much & feel much more confident with my camera now. Nick makes the trip relaxed & fun, he is caring & helpful ensuring everyone gets the best experience.

The trip was about finding some hard-to-find northern species. We saw so much: Golden eagles, Eagle owls, Goshawk the stunning Great grey owl & so much more.

I am absolutely delighted with the photos I have come away with, Nick is also very knowledgable with editing the photos ensuring, I got the best from my shots.

The trip was well organised, a good structure & pace, resulting in great results. The hides were warm, comfortable & extremely well thought out to enhance photo opportunities.

Kaisa & Jari, our hosts were so helpful, knowledgable & friendly , we were made to feel very welcome. The villa is warm & homely, with lovely meals.

Travelling as a lady on my own I felt very comfortable at all times.

We were lucky to see the Aurora on our first evening, a wonderful start to a trip that delivered more than I could have hoped for. Would love to do it again."

SB March 2023

"A great trip - combination of superb local guides and hides and an experienced UK wildlife expert to advise on both techniques and post production. What’s not to like!"

RS March 2023

More testimonials on the Home Page...