Last week i had 3 artists from Artists for Nature Foundation visiting Flatanger.

Juan Simo Varela from Spain, Jonathan Yule from UK and Wolfgang Weber from Germany. And what a week!

This week I have taken the artists to different plases, we have been in the protected Boral Rainforrest, out in the boat with Sea Eagles, Otters, Gulls and also Seals. We did one day with Eiders in Inderøy. One afternoon the artists did a workshop with the children at the school and they inspired young girls and boys.

And to see how different the arists draws is amazing. Sitting in the boat watching with their bin and than do great drawings, incredible!! 3 artists with different expressions. Friday we had a wonderful evening in the town hall with nice music from local artists, pressantation from ANF by Hans Rademakers, food from the living sea and our local hero (photographer) Stian Holmen. Stian is invited to the big GDT festival in Lunen Germany in late October!!

Saturday the artists had an exebition in the community center and lots of people came to see an buy nice art.

Also the main televisioncanal NRK have been here during this week and will come back next week to make a half houre about the artists and the nature of Flatanger. So the producer Ulf Myrvold have been working hard this days. This prorgram is called “Ut I Naturen” and will be to see in March 2012.

It’s always nice to meet new people and this 3 artists gave me a lot. But it’s always difficult when photographers or other people is leaving, emotional!! The good thing is that you still have this people, coming here, for a lifetime friends and that’s just great.

So to the artists, thank you for meeting you, I realy hope to see ANF back in Flatanger.

Fra den 2-9.Oktober i år vil Flatanger få fint besøk av kunstnere fra Artists for Nature Foundation.
www.artistsfornature.com

De som skal jobbe her ute er
Wolfgang Weber
Jonathan Yule
Juan Simo Varela

Jeg har invitert disse til en workshop i Flatangers natur.

Er sikker på at mye flott vil bli laget disse dagene, og lørdag den 8.Oktober blir det utstilling av kunstverkene.

Fredag den 7.Oktober er det en naturbasert kulturkveld i Lauvsnes samfunnshus der vi pressenterer kunstnerne for de som finner det ønskelig å delta på en riktig så spennende kveld.

Det som også er spennende er at Ulf Myrvold fra NRK skal lage en halvtime for Ut I Naturen. Han skal også spille denne kvelden!! Spennende.

Så får vi se hva som kommer ut av dette. Spennende blir det og dette blir helt klar en anderledes uke for ørneguiden:-)
Men som jeg gleder meg.

Ole M

På nettstedet geo.de kan du nå lese en artikkel fra Flatanger og se Staffan Widstrand i arbeid fra båten.

Håper du tar deg tid til å lese (teksten er på tysk) og kikke på videoen der Staffan snakker engelsk.

I have just returned to the UK after yet another monumentally successful photographic trip to the Lauvsnes area of Flatanger Kommune; more specifically, the White-tailed Eagles of Ole Martin Dahle.

This area of Norway holds a very special attraction for me – an ancient landscape tamed by its inhabitants and unspoilt by the hand of modern commercial greed. Waters so crystal clear and packed with an abundance of life that forms the basis of a completely unspoilt and natural eco- system; where apex predators co-exist side by side with people who make their living from the very same waters.

As a native Englishman a lot of people find it strange when I tell them that if I had the money and opportunity then I would move to this coastal region of Norway in a heart-beat: it would be the only conceivable way that I could do photographic justice to this spectacular area as there is seemingly a new photographic opportunity around every corner.

From superb White-tailed and Golden Eagles to landscapes, and all points in between, this region of Norway has an abundance of photographic opportunities to offer the photographer who is prepared to make the journey. Irrespective of the costs involved I’d challenge anyone on the planet NOT to find a trip to Flatanger one of the most rewarding and unforgettable experiences they could have in their entire lives.

And nothing gives me greater pleasure than bringing clients with me who have never been before, and who, on their return home, feel the same way I do; wanting to go back, and the sooner the better!

This latest trip has been the most spectacular to date with beautiful light and more eagles than I have ever seen before; with up to seven of them in the air above our heads at one time. Trying to make the most of golden opportunities like this is hard work as you are constantly trying to work out which eagle is going to dive for the bait fish. Combine this with swinging a 4 kilo lens by hand whilst trying to maintain focus and composition, all from a boat that is rolling in the sea swell, well; all I can say is that after four or five hours you need a rest!

Through his knowledge and experience with these incredible birds he can put the visiting photographer in front of so much action that you are literally begging him for a ten minute break if you are not used to the pace!

And you have to understand that it is not just a case of turning up in just the right place at the right time, there’s a lot more to the art of photographing these eagles.

If there is no wind then the birds can come in to the bait fish from any direction which means that you can not predict their flight path, and they may also be flying with their tails towards the sun which means that their all-important faces are hidden in the shadow cast by their massive wings.

You get the same result when the wind is blowing towards the sun as all birds like to fly into the wind.

But Ole Martin knows all the areas in and around the islands and fjords where he can find variations in the weather conditions that are sufficient to give you good images.

This innate ability he has for being able to put you in the right place time after time is down to his understanding and appreciation of good photography; something which is quite unique amongst guides.

July 18th 2011

Andy Astbury Wildlife in Pixels

http://www.wildlifeinpixels.com [email protected]

Charlie is my good friend, for 3 years he has been using my head and my Stoke cap as resting place.

For all of you who can watch german television. This man at the picture is Jan Haft, the boss of NAUTILUSFILM. They are very good and the 4th July you shold look at ARD at 20:15.

Ciao.
Ole

Så er dagen med tiurleik og Orrleik slutt. To grupper, en fra UK og en fra Belgia har dratt hjem. Det gikk bra denne gangen også. Godt vær og godt med fugl, da blir alt så mye enklere. Etter noen hektiske dager med gjester, så må man ta en dag eller to “fri”. En frikveld består i å dra ut med båten for å fylle opp med mat til de neste ørneturene.

Denne kvelden fikk jeg uventet hjelp av mine venner i Snåsa, ikke Snåsa-mannen med frue men nesten 🙂 Anne-Karen og Christer hadde kasta seg i bilen da det ble snakk om en seriøs fisketur, det er jo 2 timer å kjøre da. Disse to flotte menneskene drive egen virksomhet i Snåsa, workshop i foto og guiding på fiske ol i namdalens vakre natur , noe jeg vil anbefale å ta en titt på. Christer er en ordentlig villmann, gi mannen en stang og han er i fokus!!

Men etter en god time hadde vi tatt ca 130 småsei, noen ble plukket ut til en bedre kveldsmat mens resten blir ørnemat. Det går fort ca 4000 småsei i året på dette. Kvelden utafor Villa var strålende. Selvfølgelig måtte vi prøve et ørnestup eller to på veien hjem.

Like forbannet vanskelig å kaste ut fisk, båt i rett possisjon og så vaske fingrene før man finner et kamera som ikke er innstilt slik det skulle ha vært. Jeg er glad jeg ikke fotograferer når jeg har gjester!! Det hadde blitt bare tull! For meg og for gjestene!!

På heimveien er det alltid trivelig med alle måkene, de er undervurdert som fotoobjekt men jeg er igang med å høyne Måkenes status. Med Charlie, måken som sitter på mitt hode, gjør vi stor suksess. Charlie har vært trofast i 3 år nå.Vi har et godt forhold og omgås bare på sommeren+ litt på høsten og tidlig vår, kanskje litt om vinteren:-)

Under kveldsmaten dukker selvfølgelig Nikolaj opp, dyret innahus har vært forbannet i et år nå. At denne rævtaska skal ta for seg i hans matfat er under Troj’s verdighet. Det lyder av Ulv inne i vårt hjem, ganske så ofte!!

Men en liten status for resten av året. dette er et utrolig godt ørneår, har vel ikke hatt så mange hekkende par så lenge jeg minnes. Det er ikke mange dagene ledig men jeg har dagene 9-10.Juni og 30-31.Aug + 1 Sept ledig. Mulig noen dager i perioden 4-9.Juli men dette er noe usikkert.

Med ønsker om en flott sommer til alle dere.
Ole Martin

Det er min nevø Brede Larsen Hunnestad som ringer. Joda, onkel kan bekrefte at det er mars nå -og jeg er også fullstendig klar over hvorfor gutten ringer.

Like før jul spurte Brede om han ikke kunne bli med ut og ta bilder. Men for en naturguide som meg er vinteren belagt med gjester- og Brede fikk løfte om positivt svar hvis han ventet til i mars måned.

Ja, så nå fikk jeg beskjed om at tiden var inne. Vi fant en dag der Brede hadde fri fra skolen. Han er en herlig gutt på ni år og nå ville han også bli naturfotograf-for en dag. Min kompis Kjartan hadde signalisert at han og Elias ville komme utover fra Namsos på ettermiddagen for å slå lag med oss.

Tidlig neste morgen var det klart for action.Vi startet i et fotoskjul for småfugler og Ekorn. Montering av fotoutstyr er viktig-slik at alt er klart når fuglene dukker opp på foringsplassen. Nikon D700 og et 200-400mm objektiv skulle gjøre en del av jobben.

Selv skulle jeg bare være litt til hjelp for gutten-slik at han skulle få et så godt resulatat som mulig. Onkel skulle ikke ta bilder i dag.Som vanlig er det full fart utafor skjulet med Dompap, Nøtteskriker, div meiser og disse tre utrolige Ekorna som holder til i skogen vår.

Det knatret godt i D700- kameraet, det er mye å ta bilder av. Jeg tenker med bekymring på jobben som skal gjøres etterpå. Den digitale verden er moro så lenge du sitter og tar bilder. Etterpå er det pyton!! Men økta i skjulet er over i rett tid på dagen. I pausen registrerer jeg at Brede hadde fått utrolig mange flotte bilder og at han fort lærer å finne motivet i søkeren-og sjekke at det så ok ut.

Neste økt var å besøke en nabo som har en oter under uthuset. På dette tidspunktet fikk vi besøk av namsosingene Kjartan Trana og Elias Arnø, alltid trivelig med slikt selskap. Jeg lurte litt på hvordan Brede skulle greie å holde kameraet og linsa, samt å finne et raskt dyr i søkeren. Selv om linsa nå var en 70-200mm så er dette tungt å holde.

Jeg kunne bare glemme mine bekymringer, gutten raslet i veg, serie på serie og Brede sikret seg bilder av oter mange vil misunne han!

Så var det tid for en vanskelig fotosession, Havørn- fotografering fra båt, de siste 3 timene av dagen. Været hadde slått om, flatt lys og mye vind.Men Brede og Elias ville så gjerne prøve ørna. Med en hale av måker som skriker etter brød, kjører vi ut.

Det tar ikke lang tid flatanger-ørna dukker opp. Vi får ørnestup på ørnestup og det ” skytes” hundrevis av bilder. Jeg er imponert over Brede og Elias, sistnevnte er bare 11 år, men de står på-og noen ørnebilder blir faktisk meget bra.

Etter båtturen og fotografering av ørn-skal resultatet av dagens fotojakt sjekkes.Flere hundre bilder skal vurderes, og jeg ser faktisk fram til noen timer bak pc-en. Dagen med Brede, Elias og Kjartan var meget innholdsrik. Men den største gleden hadde jeg av å ta med min unge nevø ut i vår utrolige natur. Han fikk låne godt utstyr til å ta bilder med-og han utførte det utrolig bra.

Brede var også fornøyd. Kanskje får han låne onkels utstyr en dag lyset er lettere å jobbe med. Smilet i nevøens ansikt fortalte meg at gutten hadde hatt en flott fridag fra skolen-i naturen.

I have lots of “friends” out there. Miguel, Maurizio, Arnold, Florian, Gill +++ But I must say that the Otter is my favorite animal.

In Flatanger we have a very good population of Otters. Where the Otters live there is also a good place to live for the Sea Eagles. All time of year you can see Sea Eagles stealing fish from the Otter. Our coast is rich and it’s no problems for the Otter to find more than he need. But the eyes of a Sea Eagle is just amazing, in 1-2 km they can see a smal fish in the sea, and they easily can see an Otter.

But the Otter dont care, if the eagle steals he find a new one, easy!! And they have fun, in the winter you can see them having fun, like walk up on the top of an island and than slide down in the snow. So this Otter is around now. The pictures are taken in 24 hours , so you see natures changing fast right now.

Hope he will be around for some more days so my new guests can meet him!! Great fun but he is a wild animal and he is a great fisher, can see him fishing in the lake and river.

My winter feeding season is over now, having some days just to be an Otter:-) So to all who have been here in Flatanger this winter, THANK YOU!! Have been a good year even if the Goshawk have been difficult. She lost here husband last spring. She is now calling for a new one, hope he will be a good bird for my guests!!

Ole

I had a chat with my friend this evening. Yes, I have a friend who looks like me, but he has been there for many, many years. He is the “Troll”. He is living close to the sea on the way to my Sea Eagle hide. He is sitting there because he was to late back from a meeting with his girlfriend, sunrise for a Troll is dangerous. Sun makes them to solid rock!!

I talk to him when I have a walk in the evening. He is sitting there,thinking. He is so nice, looking out in this beautiful nature. This is the land of the Trolls. Every day, every night, rain, snow, cold and hot, he is there. I sometimes ask him what he thinks about humans and nature. 1 Feb they started Lynx hunting in Norway. This amazing animal were free to kill for some weeks. We could take out 166 animals!!!!!

Mr. Troll! I saw some tracks of Lynx some days ago. But we keep it secret, me and you. My dream is to have a Lynx sitting on your head in the sunset. But as long as there are people on this planet, no animals can feel free.

Good night from Ole.

It was mothers day. My 5 guests from UK were safe in the hides. I hope they will get their Golden Eagles even if it’s strong wind up there. But if you know where to go you always find shelter, and the Goshawk forest is a nice place today. Our sons have other interest, they are to old now to run out in the forrest early a Sunday morning, togetter with mother and father. I guess it’s how it should be.

But it’s great to have a brother with two you daughters Ester and Sigrid. – ” Would you like to have a walk in the Goshawk forrest with us?” – YES!!.

This forrest is protected now, two years ago, and I am realy happy that this is possibel. The trees will stay, and when they die new trees will fill the open gap when one of the old once is death. I know where the Goshawk nest is and this was the first time for Ester and Sigrid to see a big nest in and huge spruce tree.

Whats funny about this, everyone think that the Goshawk would kill moste of the birds and small animals in this forrest. But I tell you, this is the richest area for Capercaillie, Back Grouse , Hazel Grouse , Sguirrels, Artic Hares and more in a wide area!!!

We saw tracks of Moose, Hazel Grouse, Capercaillie, Sguirrels, Artic Hares. Pine Martin and lot more. It’s sad that lots of people dont understand the rules in the wild nature.

After 3 houers we had to say goodby to this great forrest, you always have a good feeling in this kind of old forrest,you feel free and relaxed. Thin Ester and Sigrid had a good time. Uncle and aunt enjoyed it very much!! Thank you brother Johnny, Ester and Sigrid.

So our soons, give us grandchildren!! Nothing like beeing out in the wild with this young curious children!! Uncle Eagleman and aunt Eaglewife.