Eurasian Brown Bear

A large Brown Bear showing interest in a pair of Ravens in the branches above

Capercaillie

A male Capercaillie deep in the taiga forests of Finland lekking in early May

Eurasian Brown Bear

Brown Bear and White birch trees

Eurasian Wolf-Finland’s Predators

Eurasian Wolf in the boreal forest of eastern Finland

Eurasian Wolverine

Eurasian Wolverine on a fallen branch in north-east Finland

Eurasian Jay

Common Jay at sunrise in the boreal forests of north-eastern Finland

Capercaillie

Male Capercaillie feeding during the lek in the boreal forest of eastern Finland at dawn.

Eurasian Brown Bear in the Taiga forest

The remote forests of Finland are one of the few places in Europe where all four of the larger predators can be found.  It is estimated that there are between 1200 to 1500 bears and 200 to 235 wolves in Finland although accurate numbers are difficult to confirm as individuals frequently cross the border with Russia.

The Wolverine is an endangered species in Finland  with only around 150 individuals and only approximately 600 individuals in the whole FennoScandinavia region. Although the secretive Eurasian Lynx is fairly widespread in Finland with an estimated 2100 plus individuals, they are extremely difficult to see due to their rather elusive nature.

Due to their secretive nature, observing and photographing  bears wolves and wolverines is generally only possible during the few hours either side of dusk and dawn. However as Summer approaches the Sun only briefly drops below the horizon allowing observation all night. All images of bears, wolverines and wolves depicted in the Finland gallery were taken during many 14 hour overnight sessions from various static hides located on the Finnish/Russian border. 

Black Grouse Lekking

Black Grouse Lekking

Black Grouse

Male Black Grouse on a marshland lek in Finland