The first we knew of its arrival was a loud splash. Spouts of water obscured the bird for a second or two before dissipating into fine spray revealing the brown and white feathers of the first osprey of the day. Wings outstretched it paused on the waters surface just briefly before flapping several times, dragging itself clear of the water and forwards into the air. In its talons a large trout flapped wildly. Once airborne the fish will be adjusted to be carried head first in an aerodynamically friendly way.
This was the first of about 40 dives we witnessed that day. All equally close and dramatic, but photographically disappointing. The problem was the wind. It was blowing across the water towards the wooden hide we were entrenched in. Therefore the birds approached from behind the hide flying into the wind. We usually did not see them coming and when they extracted themselves from the water they flew away with their backs to us.
However it was a wonderful sight to behold. Only a few weeks earlier I had visited the osprey viewing point in the Lake District. It is possible to see ospreys here, but they are at such a distance they are a struggle to locate, even with binoculars. Britain is a bit short on places where wildlife can be viewed close enough to be photographed.
However in Scandinavia it is becoming a mini tourist business. There are several setups for wildlife photographers and we were at the Pohtiolamoi fish farm in Finland. Here there is a public hide where birdwatchers can go and watch the ospreys diving into the pools free of charge, but also 4 photographers hides where you are much closer to the action. The photography hides cost 100 Euros per person, per day and it is very popular so needs booking in advance.
The exact dates to visit vary each year and needs checking before booking. The ospreys are likely to be there from April to September, but the issue is whether the pool is stocked with fish. It is not all the time. The other problem with bookings is the owner does not speak English.
Of the 4 photo hides only three are of any use. One is large enough for three photographers and is in the south-east corner of the pool. There is another right next to it, which is slightly smaller. Behind these two hides is a tower hide, which is excellent for flight shots of the ospreys circling above the pool and landing in a nearby dead tree.
The forth hide seems in a very strange place and does not cover the water at all and I could see little point in it being there.
It is possible to sleep in the hides overnight and there is no extra payment for this. There are two beds in the big hide and one in the tower hide. Sleeping bags are required. Alternatively there is accommodation on site which can be rented from the fish farm. Meals are also served in the café, although this closes in early September. Within easy walking distance was a camp site with wooden chalets for rent. Beyond the camp site and still within walking distance is a motor museum which also has a café.
Ryanair flies into Tampere airport, which is about 30 minutes drive away. Getting to the fish farm either needs a taxi or renting a car. Renting a car would be a bit of a waste as you will not need it once there, but would give some flexibility to get out to the shops in the town of Kangasala.
Finding the centre was easy. I headed for Kangasala and then it is another 5km to the village of Huutijarvi, which was on my road map. From here the fish farm was very well signposted.
The ospreys are at their most active early in the morning and late in the day. Lunchtime is a bit quiet. We had 4 days there and for the rest of our stay the wind blew from the south making photography much better. It is all down to the wind, ideally you want it blowing from the south-east for the best shots. Each day we had around 40-50 dives.
Lens wise I used a 300mm f4 most of the time, but would have appreciated a 300mm f2.8 for its faster focusing. I also did some close ups with the 600mm of the birds in the water and often the birds are close enough for shots with the 70-200 f2.8. In fact clipping the birds wings because they were too close was a frequent problem with the 300mm.
To book the hides I have various telephone numbers, but whoever answers may not speak English. Best booked by email and translated at leisure.
+358 3 3770345 summer
+358 3 4377465
+358 40 5282030
Email: jouko.alhainen@pp.inet.fi
This was the first of about 40 dives we witnessed that day. All equally close and dramatic, but photographically disappointing. The problem was the wind. It was blowing across the water towards the wooden hide we were entrenched in. Therefore the birds approached from behind the hide flying into the wind. We usually did not see them coming and when they extracted themselves from the water they flew away with their backs to us.
However it was a wonderful sight to behold. Only a few weeks earlier I had visited the osprey viewing point in the Lake District. It is possible to see ospreys here, but they are at such a distance they are a struggle to locate, even with binoculars. Britain is a bit short on places where wildlife can be viewed close enough to be photographed.
However in Scandinavia it is becoming a mini tourist business. There are several setups for wildlife photographers and we were at the Pohtiolamoi fish farm in Finland. Here there is a public hide where birdwatchers can go and watch the ospreys diving into the pools free of charge, but also 4 photographers hides where you are much closer to the action. The photography hides cost 100 Euros per person, per day and it is very popular so needs booking in advance.
The exact dates to visit vary each year and needs checking before booking. The ospreys are likely to be there from April to September, but the issue is whether the pool is stocked with fish. It is not all the time. The other problem with bookings is the owner does not speak English.
Of the 4 photo hides only three are of any use. One is large enough for three photographers and is in the south-east corner of the pool. There is another right next to it, which is slightly smaller. Behind these two hides is a tower hide, which is excellent for flight shots of the ospreys circling above the pool and landing in a nearby dead tree.
The forth hide seems in a very strange place and does not cover the water at all and I could see little point in it being there.
It is possible to sleep in the hides overnight and there is no extra payment for this. There are two beds in the big hide and one in the tower hide. Sleeping bags are required. Alternatively there is accommodation on site which can be rented from the fish farm. Meals are also served in the café, although this closes in early September. Within easy walking distance was a camp site with wooden chalets for rent. Beyond the camp site and still within walking distance is a motor museum which also has a café.
Ryanair flies into Tampere airport, which is about 30 minutes drive away. Getting to the fish farm either needs a taxi or renting a car. Renting a car would be a bit of a waste as you will not need it once there, but would give some flexibility to get out to the shops in the town of Kangasala.
Finding the centre was easy. I headed for Kangasala and then it is another 5km to the village of Huutijarvi, which was on my road map. From here the fish farm was very well signposted.
The ospreys are at their most active early in the morning and late in the day. Lunchtime is a bit quiet. We had 4 days there and for the rest of our stay the wind blew from the south making photography much better. It is all down to the wind, ideally you want it blowing from the south-east for the best shots. Each day we had around 40-50 dives.
Lens wise I used a 300mm f4 most of the time, but would have appreciated a 300mm f2.8 for its faster focusing. I also did some close ups with the 600mm of the birds in the water and often the birds are close enough for shots with the 70-200 f2.8. In fact clipping the birds wings because they were too close was a frequent problem with the 300mm.
To book the hides I have various telephone numbers, but whoever answers may not speak English. Best booked by email and translated at leisure.
+358 3 3770345 summer
+358 3 4377465
+358 40 5282030
Email: jouko.alhainen@pp.inet.fi
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Ospreys in Finland
September 1st to 4th 2006
September 1st to 4th 2006
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