[jtwood]

I have been fascinated by Golden Eagles for over thirty years now, having lived in the West Highlands of Scotland I had plenty of opportunities to watch and photograph Golden Eagles but always from a distance, I dreamt of photographing one close-up but never managed it. I moved to East Lothian two years ago so any chance of a Goldie photo got a lot less likely. I was browsing the internet one night when I came across Wild Arena Photography Tours one of the Tours was Photographing Golden and White-tailed Eagles in Norway in January for the Price £1890 Flights were £200 extra. This sounded like a way of fulfilling my dream so I signed on the Dotted Line.
A cold January Morning saw five photographers and David Southard Director of Wild Arena assemble at Heathrow for our flight to Trondhiem all went to plan and we arrived on time to be met at the Airport by our guide for the trip Ole Martin Dahle, A 21/2 hrs drive north found us at our base for the week Lauvsnes in the Flatanger Region.
Our accommodation was a newly built Lodge where basic food was supplied on a help yourself basis this worked very well with no waiting for breakfast needed as we did start early in the Morning food and Thermos were provided for a picnic lunch, We went to the Local Inn for a Meal in the Evening.
At the first evening get together we decided to split into two teams of three one team going to the Golden Eagle Hide the other to the Goshawk Hide I managed the Eagle hide on the first day so Tired but excited I retired to bed early.
Equipment. After taking advice I had brought my Canon 400mm DO lens Canon 1D Mark lll body and a 1.4 Extender a Manfrotto 444 Carbon Tripod.

Day One
I did not sleep well the Wind had risen to Gale Force overnight the Roof had rattled all night there was light Snow and Ice on the Roads I was a bit concerned if we would Make it to our Mountain hide that day, No need to worry a cheery Ole turned up at 6.45am not in the Least concerned by the Weather after a 1/2 drive we stopped at a lay-by deep in the Mountains.From the Road to the Eagle Hide was a very steep Snowy and icy climb, with 6 layers of clothes on plus a backpack full of gear all this done in the dark with a 40km wind blowing it was a very weary JT that reached the Hide. The Hide we used for the Eagles had been insulated and then lined with timber there was a small Spirit Heater which was much needed, There was a canvas screen with a drawstring to put your Lens through this was then tied from the outside by the Guide so you could not be seen by the birds this also stopped you changing Lenses which avoided disturbing the birds. The Chairs in the Hide were covered with a Reindeer Hide which is extremely warm, A chemical toilet in a cubical is also provided. The only view you have of the area in front of the Hide is through a small slot covered with dark glass or through your camera. All well thought out so there is no disturbance to the Birds. The carcasses left out are mostly Road kills the local Police phone the guides when they find a road kill which is then used as supplementary feeding for the Eagles over the Winter.
Some of the Foxes are Animals that are culled by Local Farmers instead of being buried they are used to Feed the Golden and White-tailed Sea Eagles from late October until March.

Ole wished us good luck and left he would return when it was near dark. Two Hours later in poor light our first Eagle appeared it was a struggle to focus in the light we had but you just felt you had to get a shot, Just as the light was improving my companion in the Hide picked up a tissue and started to clean the glass in his viewing slot, The Eagle was off immediately, I had not met my companions before the trip but I felt I had to mention this was not a good idea. My second companion a Lady then started to change Lenses this was strictly forbidden due to the disturbance it caused to the Birds, Then the first chap who had a Sigma zoom Lens which started to Mist up internally he then changed lenses several times, Hide discipline had broken down completely, After a hour of this madness order was restored. The events in the Hide were gone over in the evening after that there was good Hide discipline and we worked very well as a Team.
Almost immediately order was restored a Eagle appeared in Low but reasonable light a few good shots were now in the Bag I could relax. The day ended with 7 visits from Golden Eagles one arrival coincided with the only glimpse of the Sun we saw that day what luck. Several Jays were feeding on the Carcasses giving us some fine shots between Eagles. Ole returned to collect three very happy photographers just before dark. Even before I looked at my photo’s I knew my Dream had been fulfilled.
The other Team at the Goshawk Hide had no success.

To be continued.

[mike from ebbw]

Wow,that sounds like an incredible experience JT.Fantastic shots too!

[jtwood]

Day Two
Our turn for the Goshawk Hide discipline in the Hide was even tougher for the Goshawk than the Golden Eagle you had to Point your Lens at the bait which in our case was a Dead Grouse, And then wait, Five hours later no sign of any Goshawk and three very bored and stiff photographers had given up hope.
Ole was to collect us at 1.30pm the Goshawk seemingly was a morning bird , it was now 12.30 there was some seed feeders in front of the hide which were being visited by Marsh Tit, Crested Tit, Bullfinch, Jay and some other small birds photographing them past in the last hour very well.
Ole returned on time to return us to the Lodge.
Our Guide and owner of the Hides Ole Martin Dahle is a cheery larger than life character full of fun and 110% committed to getting you the very best photos he can, He is called the Eagle Man in Norway. The Lodge is visited by Europe’s best wildlife photographers Andy Rouse and Brutus Ostling are among many of the names in the Guest book, There are many signed copies of Photography books in the Lodge.

[Cristian Mihai]

Great trip and amazing pics!

[dave123]

thanks for the trip update jt, sounds like the trip of a life time.
its got me wanting to sign on the dotted line?????(one can dream )
oh nearly forgot your photos are stunning, i bet you are really pleased.

[jtwood]

Day Three
It was our turn for the White-tailed Eagle Hide, The wind was blowing at Gale force and there were many light Snow showers. The Hide was situated on the exposed rocky shore of the Fiord, we settled in with great anticipation 5hrs later no birds had shown just Magpie, Hooded Crows and Raven taking advantage of a free meal.
Then action a Golden Eagle appeared and started feeding it was having great difficulty in the very strong winds, The light was starting to go and with the strong winds photography was challenging. They were not the best photo’s I had taken on the trip but they did have a Moody feel to them with the low light and the feathers on the bird blowing about in the wind. The bird left just as Ole Arrived to collect us a slow start to the day but a good finish.

[jtwood]

Day Four
A much anticipated return to the Golden Eagle Hide. We were to be joined in the Hide by Pal Hermansen a Norwegian professional Wildlife Photographer our team would need to be on it’s best behaviour. There was a small extension to the Hide with two Lens outlets Pal was using both he had a 600mm lens with a 2x extender on one and a 300mm lens on the other he was shooting remotely using Live view with a control in both hands and firing simultaneously.
The first Eagle came in at 9.15am to early for good light even at F4 ISO 3200 it was difficult to focus, After 15min the light improved and shutter’s started to chatter the only view I had of the bird was from the Lens which gave me a very narrow field to view. I could see the Eagle was being distracted by something to its right I swung the camera slowly to the right only to have my Lens filled by the sight of a White-tailed Eagle, The Goldie was having none of this and flew at the White Tailed there was no way the Female White Tailed was getting on the carcass. The WTE eventually found a Deer leg that had been left for the jays. The WTE did not get on the carcass until the Goldie left.
Another Goldie soon joined the WTE. In all we had a Eagle of some Kind in front of the Hide for two hours. It was a relief when the last bird had departed giving us a chance of a well earned Coffee and a bite to Eat. I had managed to fire off 24GB in this spell slowing up quite a bit in the last hour and picking my shots with a bit more care.
The Sun could only reach the Hide for 1/2hr a day at this time of year and again we were lucky just as the Sun made it onto the Rock in front of the Hide a Golden Eagle landed in a Tree close to the Hide he surveyed the Hide then the Bait and flew down for a Feed. He stayed for 10min until he was disturbed by a Eagle flying close by. That was our last bird of the day but what a day.
What a super day we had experienced almost non stop action the Jays had kept us busy when the Eagles had gone, Defiantly a day to remember.

[deborah4]

Fantastic thread, and some excellent shots - love the Cresties.

Interesting re: the Marsh Tit - while it appears to show a pale spot on base of bill (which is supposed to be diagnostic?), it shows none of the two tone cheek appearance of a Marsh but rather the 'wide' face feature of a Willow and clear pale wing panel.

[Cristian Mihai]

I agree with Deb - the tit looks like a Willow in my eyes.

[bitterntwisted]

Originally Posted by deborah4

Interesting re: the Marsh Tit - while it appears to show a pale spot on base of bill (which is supposed to be diagnostic?), it shows none of the two tone cheek appearance of a Marsh but rather the 'wide' face feature of a Willow and clear pale wing panel.

I'm pretty certain that's a Willow Tit. The bill mark is not really the proximal spot of Marsh Tit, and may be an example of the 'scuffing pitfall'.

Love the thread and the photos. Sounds like a really amazing holiday.

Graham

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

I would be interested in how much this sort of thing costs if you don't mind rervealing (PM if you prefer). Thanks

Wonderful shots.

[dave123]

Originally Posted by Marcus Conway - ebirder

I would be interested in how much this sort of thing costs if you don't mind rervealing (PM if you prefer). Thanks

Wonderful shots.

not read thread 1 then marcus

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Originally Posted by dave123

not read thread 1 then marcus

Oh yeah, just seen it!

[jtwood]

Day Five
This was to be a different day to the rest of the Trip. We would be travelling North and inland to Photograph Wild Moose in the Snow. Then travel to a Wildlife Pak where we would be photographing the Animals, there again in thick Snow. Not the kind of Wildlife photography I like but the rest of the group were keen.
The Moose were on a large Farm where they were being fed carrots in front of a Hide we were told they did not mind the farmer but the Least sign of a Stranger and they were off.
We travelled to the Hide in a covered in box on the back of the Tractor it was stopped right at the Hide so as not to disturb the Moose the carrots were put out behind some mounds of Snow this attracted two Moose in, the Moose obviously new we were present they were very wary after ten minutes and a few Nervous moments they were of, that was the last we saw of them. All this was being filmed by Norwegian TV who had heard of these silly British photographers who had travelled to Norway in mid Winter to photograph Moose on a farm.
Our first Target at the Wildlife park were Lynx they were housed in a very open and natural enclosure the Gate was opened slightly I squeezed in and found this absolutely magnificent Lynx a few feet from me, I had not realized how big these cats are, The Snowy setting and the sinking Winter Sun showed these Animals at there very best.
I split from the Main group to have a look at the Capercaillie this brought home to me that this was a Zoo they were in a enclosure that was narrow and long covered by a net the birds were I am sure well looked after but very enclosed I decided it was not for me and re-joined the main group. We then photographed the Wolfs who had a very nice and large open enclosure with a walkway above for viewing I managed a few nice shots here.
I was glad when our day was over the Lynx were super, But this type of wildlife photography was not for me.

[jtwood]

Day Six
Our last Day, And we had the choice of any of the hides, I would have liked a Goshawk to complete a great trip but the reports from this hide were not good so it had to be the Golden Eagle Hide for me and hopefully a Grandstand finish, Three other members of the group choose the same venue, As we climbed the icy slope to the Eagle Hide we were full of anticipation we settled in and waited and waited finally after four hours a golden Eagle arrived it stayed ten minutes then departed we still managed some nice shots but after the two other hectic visits to this hide we were surprised by the only one visit from a Eagle, We could not be disappointed we still managed some good shots and the time spent in this Hide in the course of the week had been outstanding. The other group members had fared the same at other venues, The birds were having a off day.

[jtwood]

Conclusion
For me this was a Dream come true the photo’ I returned with far exceeded my expectations the organization and work required to achieve this is considerable,
Our Norwegian Guide Ole Martin Dahle has a love and Knowledge of Nature Second to none.
On the ethical side I am satisfied that there were no Animals deliberately killed to facilitate the taking of these photo’s. Norway like most Scandinavian countries have a long tradition of Hunting and Conservation, They seem to sit well together much more so than in the UK. The carcasses used coming from either Road kills or surplus from Hunting.
The Eagles benefit greatly from this supplementary feeding so much so that there is a good population of White-tailed Eagles in the area producing a surplus of chicks which with the help of Ole Martin Dahle are used in the Irish release scheme.
Norway is a expensive destination the full cost of the trip taking in a night in a Airport Hotel and spending money was in the region of £2300 with the way the Pound is at present the cost of this holiday will only rise. For me personally it was good value for money as it fulfilled a long held ambition.

[deborah4]

While expensive, I'm sure worth every penny for the Eagle shots jt, you've got some real keepers there. The mammal shots are excellent too but agree with you, would rather see birds and mammals in the wild than in 'captivity' despite their apparent comfort and ease of living! Glad to see roadkill being put to such good use!

[Dave B Smith]

JT,
Great report and great shots!
Thanks,

[jtwood]

Just to confirm it is a Willow Tit on day two sorry for the mistaken ID
Jim

[I4ani]

Hi JT,
Just read this twice it was so good , great images and story, thanks very much for sharing it with us .

[Steve G]

Superb report Jim.
Another venue added to the list .........too much to see in one lifetime!! ;-)

[Yorkiebird]

I can only reiterate what has already been said - 1st class report and thank you for sharing your wonderful images with us.

[ausmar]

Must have been a fantastic experience!!! Fantastic shots as well!!!

[wolfbirder]

Wonderful stories and photos, Love the last 2 photos on post 7 of the WT Eagle & Goldie, and the Goldie photos on your last day especially.

I know www.finnature.fi do a similar thing from their photography hides at Utajarvi, 70kms from Oulu between Jan - March. This year they have had upto 10 Goldies, 2 WT Eagles most days, and also occasional Goshawk & Gyr Falcon too.

By comparison, their 5 day trips this year cost £1284 (1320 euros), that includes 3-4 visits to the hide (8-12 hour stints in a heated hide), also opportunity once to photo local owls like Great Grey owl, all transport, and 4 nights accommodation full board. So seems good value but cannot say whether the value for money overall or quality of photographical opportunity is as good?? Finnature's excellent website tells you more.

Flights cost about £200-£300 return additionally.

[Ben Nevis]

Fantastic reading and viewing jt.Have money in the bank,in case my beloved Man City make the UEFA Cup Final in Istanbul but if not,I shall be very tempted to spend it on such a trip.I agree with most on the enclosed Mammals not being Ideal but the birds were fantastic.

Thanks for sharing this report and photos with us.