Visit Arctic Norway with Jasper Doest

Visit Arctic Norway with Jasper Doest–Exclusive to BAA Folks

Two Trips: Svalbard 2012/second trip (birds and landscapes) and Svalbard 2013/first trip (prime time for birds). Be sure to see the image collection below.

In June of 2011, I traveled to Svalbard with Patrick Sparkman and his wife Robin during prime time for birds. Jasper Doest was our guide. It was an astounding trip: we had two ponds full of courting Common Eiders, lots of breeding shorebirds including Purple Sandpiper and Red Phalarope (Grey Phalarope on the other side of the pond), Ivory Gull, nesting Pacific Loon, Barnacle Goose, Pink-footed Goose, Parastic Jeager, King Eider–a lucky find, Svalbard Ptarmigan, Svalbard Reindeer, and the impossibly cute little Dovekies among others. The Dovekies are relatively easy but for the climb. Plus gorgeous scenery including ice-scapes and ice macros and killer wildflowers. To see my images that were featured on the blog, click here, here, and here. To see my images featured in the Bulletin click here and here.

The absolute maximum group size is three. It is impossible visit Spitzbergen by yourself. Why? A guide with a rifle to protect against polar bears is a necessity. (We never saw or heard of a bear….) Jasper is already taking three BAA folks this coming June on the best dates for birds–the time frame for the drake Common Eiders is very narrow. The three folks inquired before I had time to make any announcements….. Jasper has agreed to put together a second trip this June, June 2012 as below, and another trip during the prime for birds dates in June 2013.

Svalbard – Arctic bird & landscape photography/Limit: 3. Date:June 21 – June 26, 2012. Price: €3300. Arrive Longyearbyen June 20, 2012, fly home, June 27, 2012. Join wildlife photographer Jasper Doest on an amazing wildlife adventure to Spitzbergen (Svalbard) in the high arctic.

Note: the trip above, the “second 2012 trip,” will most likely not feature large numbers of drake Common Eiders in the kennel ponds. On the other hand the female Common Eiders will be very cooperative and give you plenty of opportunities to make interesting compositions. Also you may get some images of nesting shorebirds and if you are very lucky, of shorebird chicks. Most of the rest of the subjects should be the same as they were for me on my trip: fantastic. Before you sign up for the second 2012 trip, do check out the info below on the first June 2013 trip….

Svalbard – Arctic bird photography/Limit 3/Openings 2. Date: June 15 – June 20, 2013. Price: €3300. Arrive Longyearbyen June 14, 2013, fly home, June 21, 2013. Join wildlife photographer Jasper Doest on an amazing wildlife adventure to Spitzbergen (Svalbard) in the high arctic.

To save yourself a spot on either trip please contact Jasper directly via e-mail and copy me as well here.

Svalbard is an archipelago in the Arctic, constituting the northernmost part of Norway. Located north of mainland Europe, it is about midway between mainland Norway and the North Pole. The group of islands range from 74° to 81° north latitude (and thus inside the Arctic Circle), and actually about twice as close to the North Pole as Barrow, AK.

Spitzbergen is the largest island with the administrative center being Longyearbyen. The archipelago is administered by the Governor of Svalbard. The archipelago features an Arctic climate, although with significantly higher temperatures than other areas at the same latitude. The flora takes advantage of the long period of midnight sun to compensate for the polar night. Svalbard is a breeding ground for many seabirds, and also features polar bears, reindeer and marine mammals. Seven national parks and twenty-three nature reserves cover two-thirds of the archipelago, protecting the largely untouched, yet fragile, nature. Sixty percent of the archipelago is glacier, and the islands feature many mountains and fjords.

During this time the archipelago turns into a bird paradise with approximately 30 species of birds breeding throughout the summer, including King Eider, Ivory Gull, Long-tailed duck, Parasitic Jaegers, Dovekies and the only endemic species, the Svalbard Ptarmigan. Svalbard is home to millions of Dovekies and we will be able to witness and photograph large flocks nesting and flying to and from their feeding grounds at sea as well as individual birds. As the arctic summer is really short, some birds will be on their nests. Parasitic Jaegers are to be found at several places on the tundra and they will allow us to photograph at VERY close distance. The Arctic Terns will be a little more challenging, as they tend to attack everything that moves. However, as soon as they find out that you have no bad intentions they will continue their normal behavior, allowing us to photograph them up close and personal. Every year Red-Throated Loons, Long-tailed Ducks and King Eiders are to be found in the area. And usually we will have some good opportunities with some of these amazing birds. The opportunities with most other birds, especially Common Eider –will be plentiful. And the aim of these trips is to make most of the opportunities offered with some of the arctic specialties and to nail those special images out of what might seem common. Besides birds, the tour will cover all aspects of nature photography including dramatic landscapes, the abundant arctic flora (which you will see develop throughout the week) and wildlife photography (including encounters with the native Svalbard Reindeer).

Although the Red-Throated Loons, Long-tailed Duck and both eiders will likely have moved farther out on the tundra or to the open sea during the second trip, the opportunities with most other birds will be plentiful. And we may find some shorebird nests with or without tiny chicks. Besides birds, both tours will cover all aspects of nature photography including dramatic landscapes, the abundant arctic flora (which will be at its best during the second trip) and wildlife photography (including encounters with the native Svalbard Reindeer). The cost of the trip includes a boat trip to an island where Barnacle Geese are common nesters.

As all of the birds and mammals rarely see humans, most of them will only give you a glance and then continue with their daily routines, allowing you to make most of the photo opportunities. Although overcast situations are most common, when the midnight sun comes through it will provide plenty of sweet warm light. Unlike many other tours to this destination, the main focus will not be the Polar bear. We will not tour around Svalbard on a sea-going vessel; we will focus on a rather small but diverse area on the main island of Spitzbergen. Over the years Jasper has spend over 6 months in this area and is very familiar with the animal species and photographic opportunities.

Accommodations

With modern comfort in historic surroundings Spitsbergen Hotel offers a unique Svalbard experience. Situated on the “Hill” it has great views of Longyearbyen, the Lars glacier and the Longyear glacier. The hotel was originally built as accommodation/dining area for employees at Store Norske Spitsbergen Kulkompani. It was also the company’s official representational building, and its interior and architecture made it Longyearbyen’s grandest construction. Great effort has been placed in preserving its special history and it is well worth a cultural stroll along the hotel corridors and public areas where you’ll find historic photographs, old maps and newspaper clippings.

Your Favorite?

The images below were created by two photographers: Jasper Doest and yours truly. Take a moment and let us know which two images below are your favorites and let us know why.

artie is traveling 🙂

artie is traveling in the Southern Ocean (Falklands, South Georgia, & Antarctica) and will be unable to respond to your questions and comments until after his return on 26 January 2012.

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Common Eider, drake head portrait. Image copyright 2011: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART.

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Dovekie Flock Silhouette, Spitzbergen, Norway. Image courtesy of and copyright 2011: Jasper Doest.

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Red-throated Loon on nest, Spitzbergen, Norway. Image courtesy of and copyright 2011: Jasper Doest.

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Barnacle Goose on nest, Diabas, Norway. Image copyright 2011: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART. Both trips include a boat trip to an island with tame nesting Barnacle Geese.

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Common Eider hen on nest, Spitzbergen, Norway. Image courtesy of and copyright 2011: Jasper Doest.

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Dovekie with wings raised. Image copyright 2011: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART.

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Parasitic Jaeger attacking Arctic Fox, Spitzbergen, Norway. Image courtesy of and copyright 2011: Jasper Doest. Jasper did much better with the foxes in 2011 on the second trip than we did on the first.

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Dovekie in flight, Spitzbergen, Norway. Image courtesy of and copyright 2011: Jasper Doest. Spitzbergen is the best place in the world to photograph the world’s smallest auk. It was my primary reason for making the trip.

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Geese on the ridge, Spitzbergen, Norway. Image courtesy of and copyright 2011: Jasper Doest.

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Dunlin, male singing on territory, Spitzbergen, Norway. Image courtesy of and copyright 2011: Jasper Doest.

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Shorebird chick, Spitzbergen, Norway. Image courtesy of and copyright 2011: Jasper Doest. The second trip will offer the best chance for photographing shorebird chicks.

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Glacier, Spitzbergen, Norway. Image courtesy of and copyright 2011: Jasper Doest.

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Svalbard Reindeer, Spitzbergen, Norway. Image courtesy of and copyright 2011: Jasper Doest.

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Arctic Tern screaming, Spitzbergen, Norway. Image courtesy of and copyright 2011: Jasper Doest.

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Hillsides, Spitzbergen, Norway. Image courtesy of and copyright 2011: Jasper Doest.

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Barnacle Goose in flight, Diabas, Norway. Image copyright 2011: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART. Both trips include a boat trip to an island with tame nesting Barnacle Geese. Photographing this species was one of the highlights of the trip for me.

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King Eider, drake, Spitzbergen, Norway. Image courtesy of and copyright 2011: Jasper Doest.

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Ivory Gull, head portrait. Image copyright 2011: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART.

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Common Eider, drake. Image copyright 2011: Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART.

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Parasitic Jaeger, copulating pair, Spitzbergen, Norway. Image courtesy of and copyright 2011: Jasper Doest.

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Arctic Tern calling, Spitzbergen, Norway. Image courtesy of and copyright 2011: Jasper Doest.

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Dovekie, flight silhouette, Spitzbergen, Norway. Image courtesy of and copyright 2011: Jasper Doest.

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Arctic wildflowers, Spitzbergen, Norway. Image copyright 2011: Arthur Morris.

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Derelict coal mine HDR, Spitzbergen, Norway. Image copyright 2011: Arthur Morris.