We’ve just returned from another great trip to Finland. Mating season was in full swing and the cotton grass at the swamp was at its peak. All ingredients were there and we were anxious to go out to the hides for our first 14 hour session. We booked two forest hides, one swamp and one hide at the lake – the weather was looking promising and the sun didn’t set at all. Although it can be tough to sit in a hide that long, it’s the excitement that’s keeping you awake and sharp.
Seeing the first bear on the trip is the most exciting one. What amazes me most is the fact you just don’t hear them coming. A large male easily weights over two hundred kilos in spring and not hearing them arriving proves they are silent and effective hunters. They show no interest in the hides at all and it makes you feel safe and relaxed. Of course they know you’re in the hide but as long as you’re quiet, they don’t care. Because they are so used to the hides and the fact they totally ignore you gave us the opportunity to capture the bears in their most natural behaviour.
One night we saw no less than 10 different bears from one hide. The guides at the centre were extremely helpful and we had some time left to visit a bear den which has been used during the cold winter.
Again our guests made this trip a huge success and let me thank all of them for a marvellous time. Can’t wait to go back because I feel every trip to the bears is completely different and unique.
Hope to see you all again in the near future.
Edwin