Tag Archive for: animals

Looking for Petra, the wild Finnish forest reindeer

With my rucksack weighing heavily on my back, I step from the dirt track onto a stony path. I breathe deeply to absorb the scents of the forest that magically lighten my rucksack and calm my mind. As I walk further, I feel beads of sweat rise on my back. The evening is sunny and […]

How to Act When Encountering Reindeer? Read This Checklist to Know

Few travelers in Northern Finland return from their journey without pictures of reindeer – for many, the first encounter with a reindeer is a memorable milestone. Reindeer are a common sight in the reindeer herding area of Northern Finland, and they bring joy to many travelers. Iida Melamies is a reindeer herder in Sattasniemi reindeer […]

What happens in a reindeer round-up?

Reindeer wander freely in the nature of Northern Finland. However, they are semi-domesticated animals: every reindeer has an owner. But how do the owners know where their reindeer are, how many of them may have disappeared and how many new fawns have been born? That’s why regular reindeer round-ups are needed. There are special kinds […]

Every man’s best friend, Siberian Jay – Meeting the soul-bird in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park.

When you walk through the nature in northern parts of Finland, especially in Lapland, you will most likely end up meeting a new friend during your lunch or coffee break. Siberian Jays are known for being fearless and tame, and they will often land close to you immediately when you pause and dig up your […]

Make friends with a reindeer – it’s easier than you think, as long as you’ve got some treats

In Northern Finland there are several reindeer parks where one can meet and feed some super cute domesticated reindeer. One of these parks, a reindeer park called Kopara, is situated in Luosto area in the middle of Lapland. One day I went there with my husband and his daughter. I must confess, I’m crazy about […]

This is one of the rarest seals in the world – check out the addictive live webcam!

The Saimaa ringed seal is a real cutie. It is also one of the rarest seals in the world. They live in lake Saimaa, which is the biggest lake in Finland. Nowhere else can you find this chubby big-eyed fellow but here. However, this May WWF makes it possible for you to spot these seals […]

Polar bears in Finland… really?!

What do you know about Finland is often asked from foreigners. And sometimes the answer is cold weather, a lot of snow and polar bears walking around. At this point the inquirer may smile a bit. We are not in Spitsbergen, there you have to be aware of polar bears, in Finland not. We only […]

What are Santa’s reindeer like?

We know Rudolph, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen and the other reindeer pulling Santa’s Important Sleigh by name, but really nothing else. I went to find out what Santa’s reindeers are really like. They live all around Lapland, some in Torassieppi, Muonio. Unfortunately I didn’t get to meet Rudolph, as he was resting and saving his […]

The Magical Experience of Photographing Wild Bears in Eastern Finland

We’d been in the hide for around five hours, slowly watching the summer evening envelope the view before us: a still lake fringed by forest. The lake had begun to steam as the sun began to set – the hot day cooling – and mayflies flickered in the golden brilliance. “Bear!” Chris whispered. I couldn’t […]