Finland Now or Never ...

What’s Up?

I am trying for Inca Tern today, my last gasp effort. I will have great internet access for the next few days and then it is off to the Falklands were I will be able to get online intermittently. For a price.

Looks like only two openings on the Galapagos Cruise so an interested couple should not tarry. And only three spots left for the San Diego IPT.

Please remember that if you are making a major camera and or lens purchase by using my B&H link, that it would really help me out if you purchase your Induro tripod using the link on the right side of each blog post page and if you visit the BAA Store to purchase the stuff that we carry. IAC, huge thanks.

and anything

Gear Questions and Advice

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of the folks whom I see in the field, and on BPN, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.

Please Remember to use my Affiliate Links and to Visit the New BAA Online Store 🙂

To show your appreciation for my continuing efforts here, we ask, as always, that you get in the habit of using my B&H affiliate links on the right side of the blog for all of your photo and electronics purchases. Please check the availability of all photographic accessories in the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store, especially the Mongoose M3.6 tripod head, Wimberley lens plates, Delkin flash cards and accessories, and LensCoat stuff.

As always, we sell only what I have used, have tested, and can depend on. We will not sell you junk. We know what you need to make creating great images easy and fun. And please remember that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail.

I would of course appreciate your using our B&H affiliate links for all of your major gear, video, and electronic purchases. For the photographic stuff mentioned in the paragraph above, and for everything else in the new store, we, meaning BAA, would of course greatly appreciate your business. Here is a huge thank you to the many who have been using our links on a regular basis and those who will be visiting the New BIRDS AS ART Online Store as well.

Image #1: Ruff, male displaying on lek. Image copyright and courtesy of Jari Peltomaki

The Finland May 2017 Lekking IPT

May 2 through 10, 2017. $8499 all inclusive but for airfare. Limit 5/openings 3.

I have dreamed of photographing Ruff in breeding plumage ever since I saw a few at a distance in Pedricktown Marsh near Philadelphia in the mid 1980s. Consider joining us in Finland in May to photograph Ruffs on the lek along with Black Grouse and Capercaillie, both on their leks. A lek is a dancing ground for various species of birds where the males strut and dance and show off for the ladies.

This trip likely needs four to run so two to go… If you are seriously interested you must act now or flights may become a problem. Please e-mail immediately to arrange your $4,000 non-refundable deposit.

Image #2: Black Grouse calling on frosty morning. Image copyright and courtesy of Olli Lamminsalo

The Itinerary

2 May Arrive Kuusamo, Finland

Transportation to Oivanki Lomakartano´s log villa, accommodation and lunch. After the lunch rest or afternoon photography session with Whooper Swans, Common Cranes and waterfowl from the shore hides by the lake. Return to the accommodation for dinner and a short briefing for the program for the following days.

3 May – Kuusamo – Black Grouse & Whooper Swans

Early morning photography session from the pro-hides at the Black Grouse lek site. 3am start from the accommodation and a 30 minutes drive to the hides. Black Grouse photography until the lek is over – normally by 8 o´clock, return to the accommodation for late breakfast between 9 and 10 am. On the way back there are chances for other Grouse species on the roadsides. Afternoon break for rest or independent photography near the accommodation from 10am to 5pm. Continue at 5pm, targeting again Whooper Swans, Cranes and waterfowl from the hides in the afternoon (or owls if they are available).

Image #3: Capercaillie–female and displaying male. Image copyright and courtesy of Olli Lamminsalo

4 May – Kuusamo – Black Grouse and to the Capercaillie hides

Early morning photography session from the pro-hides at the Black Grouse lek site. 3am start from the accommodation and a 30 minutes drive to the hides. Black Grouse photography until the lek is over – normally by 8 o´clock, return to the accommodation for late breakfast between 9 and 10 am. On the way back there are chances for other Grouse species on the roadsides. Afternoon break for rest or independent photography near the accommodation from10am to 5pm. Dinner at 5pm and after that we head to the Capercaillie hides (blinds) where we will spend the night in very warm sleeping bags.

Image #4: Capercaillie. Image copyright and courtesy of Olli Lamminsalo

5 May – Kuusamo – Capercaillie

Early morning photography at the Capercaillie hides. Returning to the accommodation for breakfast. Afternoon break for rest or independent photography near the accommodation from10am to 5pm. Dinner at 5pm and after that heading back to the Capercaillie hides. Staying in the hides overnight.

6 May – Kuusamo

Early morning photography at the Capercaillie hides. Return to the accommodation for
breakfast. Check-out from accommodation and departure to Oulu (3 hours drive). Check-in to the accommodation in Oulu and lunch. Break in the middle of the day. Dinner. Ruff photography from either the lek site hides or feeding site hides in the evening – from 6 pm until 10 pm.

Image #5: Black Ruff, male feeding. Image copyright and courtesy of Jari Peltomaki

7 May – Oulu – lekking and feeding Ruffs

Early morning photography session from the pro-hides at the Ruff lek / feeding site. 3am start from the accommodation and a 30 minutes drive to the hides. Ruff photography until the lek will slow down – normally by 8 o´clock, return to the accommodation for late breakfast between 9-10 am. Afternoon break for rest or independent photography near the accommodation from 10am to5pm. After dinner Ruff photography from either the lek site hides or feeding site hides in the evening – from 6 pm until 10 pm.

8 May – Oulu – lekking and feeding Ruffs

Early morning photography session from the pro-hides at the Ruff lek / feeding site. 3am start from the accommodation and a 30 minutes drive to the hides. Ruff photography until the lek will slow down – normally by 8 o´clock, return to the accommodation for late breakfast between 9-10 am. Afternoon break for rest or independent photography near the accommodation from 10am to5pm. After dinner Ruff photography from either the lek site hides or feeding site hides in the evening – from 6 pm until 10 pm.

Image #6: Black and gold Ruff, male landing near two females. Image copyright and courtesy of Jari Peltomaki

9 May – Oulu – lekking and feeding Ruffs

Early morning photography session from the pro-hides at the Ruff lek / feeding site. 3am start from the accommodation and a 30 minutes drive to the hides. Ruff photography until the lek will slow down – normally by 8 o´clock, return to the accommodation for late breakfast between 9-10 am. Afternoon break for rest or independent photography near the accommodation from 10am to5pm. After dinner Ruff photography from either the lek site hides or feeding site hides in the evening – from 6 pm until 10 pm.

Image #7: Ruff, males battling on lek. Image copyright and courtesy of Jari Peltomaki

10- May – Oulu – lekking and feeding Ruffs

One more early morning photography session at the Ruff lek site / feeding site. Breakfast between 9-10am. Check-out from the hotel and transportation to Oulu airport for your flight.

The Finland May 2017 Lekking IPT

May 2 through 10, 2017. $8499 all inclusive but for airfare. Limit 5/openings 3.

The price of this trip includes land transportation and transfers in Finland (Kuusamo-Oulu), clean and comfortable accommodation for 8 nights, all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), use of photography hides (blinds), and professional Finnish guides throughout the tour.

Please notice that you would need to book your flights to arrive in Kuusamo and depart from Oulu.

The organizer recommends Finnair flights. Airfare when I last checked was a more than reasonable: $1029. I have a great travel agent. If you are at all interested please get in touch via e-mail immediately or this trip will likely go down the tubes…

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Typos

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