BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY in the ARCTIC ⎸ Varanger Expedition ep 1

During the last convulsions of winter in the Arctic, I head out on a week-long photography expedition in pursuit of the hardy creatures that endure the cold temperatures and inhospitable conditions that the Arctic throws at them. Join me behind the scenes and watch as I photograph a large variety of different species that call this wild place home.
The species I photograph in this video are purple sandpiper, willow ptarmigan/willow grouse, black-legged kittiwake, Siberian tit, pine grosbeak, great tit and great spotted woodpecker.
SOCIAL MEDIA & WEBSITE
- Instagram: / tobias_gjerde_photography
- Website: www.tobiasgjerde.com
GEAR:
- Camera: Canon EOS R6 mark II
- Lens: Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 IS II
- Vlogging cameras:
o Canon EOS M50
o iPhone 12
- Vlogging microphone: Røde VideoMicro
MUSIC:
- After The Rain by Keys of Moon | / keysofmoon
Music promoted by www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
creativecommons.org/licenses/...
- The Exodus by Scott Buckley | / scottbuckley
Music promoted by www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
creativecommons.org/licenses/...
- Glow by Scott Buckley | / scottbuckley
Music promoted by www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
creativecommons.org/licenses/...

[@goldenoriolesilverbirch8220]

Willow ptarmigan is Rock ptarmigan. Beautiful video.

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks! No, the ptarmigan I photographed were willow ptarmigan. You can distinguish them by their lack of black behind the beak, the terrain they are in, but most importantly, the sounds they make. So I can assure you that they were indeed willow ptarmigan. But I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@petersterling5334]

Great Video Tobias! I've been a Professional Filmmaker and Extreme Sports Photographer for 35 Years in Hawaii and I just wanted to say how Impressive your on Camera Narration is. You seem to have Natural Skills rival even BBC World! Keep making Videos Bro. You can make this your Career!!

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you so much Peter! Your kind words mean a lot!

[@vincentceulemans735]

wauw

[@vincentceulemans735]

wat leuk zeg

[@servanfotografie15]

What a stunning Varanger series Tobias.. great joy to watch

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you very much! That means a lot!

[@laurentcosson1110]

Very fascinating video and pictures. Can't wait to see the next episode...

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks so much!

[@natur_spur]

Great work, Tobias! Well done and go on with your artistic work! Greetings from

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you so much!

[@gr_br]

Hi welcome back! I missed you, I mean we missed you..., We all missed you!

[@TobiasGjerde]

Hi, thank you very much! I hope to upload the remainder of this series a little more frequently… I haven’t had much free time lately 😅

[@Cedric.steinmann]

Great Video Tobias!

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks a lot!

[@peterb.7437]

Awesome video

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks a lot!

[@uaebifvideo5472]

Beautiful Plover images in high key and juxtapositions!!.

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you very much!

[@jozi.horvat]

Hi Tobias, I have just discovered your channel - and what a beauty... Amazing videos and stunning pictures! Thank you for sharing them and I look forward to seeing another interesting encounter + your excellent photos. Good luck!

[@TobiasGjerde]

Welcome aboard! Thank you very much!

[@theflyingdutchman7127]

Great photo’s and video. Thanks for sharing your experience from your trip to artic.

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you very much!

[@Rudy60426]

great video

[@TobiasGjerde]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@bjarnehyldgaard]

Lovely video and great pictures - thanks for sharing

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks a lot - much appreciated!

[@HealingTimeTV]

매우 추운지역에서 살아가는 새들의 모습을 영상과 사진으로 기록하는일은 어렵지만 훌륭한 작업이에요, 멋진 새들의 영상을 볼수있어서 기뻐요 It is difficult to document the birds living in very cold regions through video and photography, but it is a wonderful job.👍

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you very much!

[@ferrisb1588]

Gorgeous photos and video. Thank you for sharing this amazing trip :)!

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks a lot for taking the time to comment!

[@waynearchibald3920]

Great video Tobias! 🙏

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you very much!

[@rlgenge]

The quality and art of your photography is exceptional.

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate that!

[@mkvh5511]

Superbe vidéo ! Le paysage est si grandiose et puissant! Merci du partage. Un nouvel abonné !🌞

[@TobiasGjerde]

Merci beaucoup!

[@terryroth2855]

Great video. Loved the ptarmigans inflight.👍👍

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks a lot! Glad you liked them!

[@brucecrossan2284]

Great video and fabulous images - you deserve many more than 2,870 subscribers. Keep going!

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks so much! In short term -- as long as I can entertain and please some individuals with my content, I am very happy with the result!

[@user-mk7pp2pz6p]

I am used to take the shoot of landscape with my Kase landscape filters set, good for me to control the light outdoors.

[@freetibet1000]

You must have heard this a million times but I got to say that you’re an amazingly talented photographer. And your love of nature and the birds is truly touching! I live in Sweden under similar conditions and I know how shy some of these species are. I particularly like the hi-key way you edit these winter images. It really brings out the birds and their beautiful plumage. Are you Norwegian? You English is excellent, in my ears! 🇳🇴🙏👍😎

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you so much! Your words mean a lot! Yes, I am indeed Norwegian, but I’ve lived in England for two years - hence my British accent

[@freetibet1000]

@@TobiasGjerde 😀🇳🇴🇸🇪

[@celeritasc9207]

Wow! Tobias, you never disappoint. Your work is amazingly inspirational. I have been busy lately and unable to have time in the field, but after watching this, I will have to do it. I love how you vary your artistic styles. Your high-key photographs are perfectly accomplished. I have experimented with okay results in the past, but I am now inspired to take it to your level. Your video footage and photographs of the Kittiwake fight sequence are fantastic. It is hard to pick what I like best; all your work is incredible.

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks so much! Your kind words mean a lot!

[@vincentceulemans735]

mooie vogel man echt heel lekker hmmm

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks!

[@mdsxavi3248]

Awesome work, When I grow up I want to be like you

[@TobiasGjerde]

You don’t need to wait till you’re older, start from where you are! I started photographing at a very young age, and by staying open minded and curious, I’ve learned a lot along the way! I wish you good luck with your adventures!

[@smurgy99]

I thought this was a wonderful video. Enjoyed it a lot, and your commentary was excellent. Hard work getting close with a 300 though...

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks a lot! For a lot of the species up north, I find the 300mm to be enough. But with the smaller, more shy subjects, it can be difficult, yes

[@markwhitesell4491]

Superb video and photographs. Looking forward to episode 2!

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks so much!

[@michelbigras]

Great photos Tobias.You've got your own style, i like that.

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you very much!

[@kerrykestrowl6785]

Sweet bird jumped on one leg must be 🥶

[@TobiasGjerde]

They can endure some serious temperatures! Amazing to think about!

[@tusk242]

We get the Purple Sandpiper from mid October to Early December. before they travel on ..I live in Wisconsin. If seen they are usually Sheboygan , Manitowoc Kewaunee, and Racine area. It is one of their few stopping areas before moving to your area. THEY do not nest in Wisconsin., and because while it is Winter here in December, it is now becoming Summer by you. Enjoying your photos. Music is soothing, compared to the Rap, One question, do they in your country plan to destroy land to make like elsewhere Mini Cities, 25-30 mile range to have no REASON to Travel outside the mini city , or have to ask permission, and get the chance once in 5 years, is the 2030 Agenda Plane. I seen much of your OLD FOREST all ready destroyed. Thanks again,

[@TobiasGjerde]

Hi, thanks a lot for your compliments! The purple sandpipers in America are in fact a different subspecies than the ones we have here (your ones have longer beaks), so they don't migrate over here. This video was filmed in April btw (I have been terribly busy which is why I haven't gotten around to posting it yet 😅). When it comes to your concerns regarding mini cities, I am not quite sure I understand what you mean. But you are correct that much of Norwegian old growth forests are being lost to industrial forestry, and many habitats have to suffer the ever expanding human settlements... But I doubt that that will be a problem here up north, as there are very few people living here, and everything suggests that there will just get fewer and fewer inhabitants up here. Hope that answers your questions!

[@GeoffCooper]

Awesome video - I totally understand getting delayed because of enroute wildlife :) Also great to see the taiga woodland birds - many years ago IU remember being in Lapland and having some totally fearless siberan jays coming to take food from the toe of my boot while I was sitting having a rest!

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks a lot! It’s virtually impossible to drive past such photographic opportunities! The birds of the taiga are truly special

[@TimSiggs]

Lovely documentary and stunning content. You cope with the insects very well.

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks a lot! Haha, this was in April, so there were no insects out yet. But let me tell you I got eaten up in the summer time ;)

[@user-hu5er7ew5v]

I am used to take the shoot of wildlife with my Kase landscape filters set, good for me to control the light outdoors.

[@aliceworswick9129]

Wonderful work, Tobias. Thank you for sharing and greetings from Western Australia.

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks a lot! I’d love to visit Australia one day!

[@aliceworswick9129]

@@TobiasGjerde I'm sure you will one day and you will love your time here! All the best.

[@alexanderlintott4286]

Great photos and video, the edit particularly stood out to me on this one; specifically at 10:43. Your efforts are not going unnoticed!

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks so much, greatly appreciated!

[@mcs3015]

What a great video! You’re an impressive photographer. It’s really nice to see how much you respect nature, and how much knowledge you have of the wildlife you photograph. Really enjoyed this one!

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate hearing that!

[@jamesbarnes3063]

Great footage, loved it!

[@TobiasGjerde]

Much appreciated!

[@mmaaaaaxxx]

I loved this video. It's so inspirational and really gives me an urge to want to get out there more and photograph wildlife.

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks so much! That genuinely means a lot to read!

[@martinfisher5051]

Lovely video and great photographs. It takes me back to visiting Varanger in 2010, though the only willow ptarmigan we saw was a stuffed one at the airport! I'd love to go back, but this is a good substitute.

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks so much! I'm glad to hear I could help bring back some memories!

[@TobiasGjerde]

Hi again Martin, I might be doing a guided trip to Varanger this March! So if that might happen to interest you, send me an email to [e-mail] (completely non-binding) and I can let you in on more info about such a trip.

[@Skaupedia]

W video

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you!

[@withvinayak]

Amazing photos and experience 🎉

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks a lot! It truly was!

[@AreRisnes]

13:35 #Takk #for #sist #Herr #Gjerde Norwegian: Vi synes dette motivet kan være passende som et kunstmotiv.

[@TobiasGjerde]

Absolutt! Den knallrøde fargen er nydelig mot den grønne skogen!

[@unbornreaper]

Nice video! I like your style Are you satisfied about your 300 mm? I looking forward to buy one used

[@TobiasGjerde]

Much appreciated! Yes, the 300mm is great! Although when working with more shy species, it is a tad too short, in my opinion.

[@unbornreaper]

@@TobiasGjerde thanks 🙏🏻 Would you prefer a 100-500 or the 300 2.8 ?

[@denisagriculturasianimale1695]

Hvor i varanger er det du tar bilder

[@TobiasGjerde]

Hei, litt rundt omkring. Mellom Båtsfjord, Pasvik og Vardø