November.
Where is the light, the light I need to make my photos? I found it in Flatanger, Norway.
November. A month not usually linked
with much photographic enjoyment, more like a long waiting for Christmas. But,
after spending 6 days with the nature guide Ole Martin Dahle it feels that all
my wishes for Christmas already came through in November.
There are two hides
set up mainly for the Golden eagle, both in beautiful settings with very good
photographic opportunities. The quality of the late autumn light here up north
will cure all tendency towards winter depression. Even if the daylight is
limited to some 6 hours, the low sun means that there is possibilities to
photography all the day.
Both hides offered several visits of the great eagle
every day and even two at the time occasionally. To witness a fight between
these magnificent birds is a truly special experience, believe me. A bunch of
Jays offers entertainment for the trigger finger when the eagles are away.
One day Ole
took me and another Swedish photographer, Kenny Isaksson from Göteborg, out on
one of his famous boat trips. The day meet us with a freezing breeze from the
sea and choppy seas but Ole offered us warm survival suits. Why do you want to
go out on the sea in these rather harsh conditions? Because the archipelago of
Flatanger offers several territories of the White-tailed eagles and Ole Martin
knows them all.
During winter time, there are also a substantial number of
younger eagles visiting the area. A less than three hour boat trip offered more
than thirty white-tailed eagles close to the boat and some twenty dives after
fish in fantastic winter light. The combination of the large number of birds,
low winter sun and Ole Martins handling of the boat made up for some special
photo opportunities.
Large number of Gull’s offers the extra entertainment that
always seems to be a part of the deal when you are a guest here.
So Ole
Martin, thank you for some unforgettable November days in your company in
Flatanger. The combination of a truly extensive knowledge about the eagles and
your photographers eyes packed together with your fantastic hospitality and
house makes me want to come back. Soon, very soon!
Thanks,
Gunnar Aus,
Sävedalen, Sweden
www.gunnaraus.fotosidan.se
