Bird Photography under the Midnight Sun ⎸ Summer in the Arctic

It is June in Varanger, but up on the tundra, snow still blankets the ground. The arrival of migrating birds is announced by an orchestra of varied bird song, harmonizing under the midnight sun. In this three-part series, I explore what Varanger has to offer of Arctic specialists. Come behind the scenes of bird photography to join the adventure and see how the trip unfolds!
In this episode, I photograph the bar-tailed godwit, Temminck’s stint, white tailed eagle, Arctic skua, long-tailed skua, Steller’s eider, Lapland bunting, rough-legged buzzard, Eurasian wigeon, willow ptarmigan, ruff (bird) and red-necked phalarope.
SOCIAL MEDIA & WEBSITE
- Instagram: / tobias_gjerde_photography
- Website: www.tobiasgjerde.com
GEAR:
- Camera: Canon EOS R6 mark II
- Main lens: Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 IS II
- Vlogging camera: Canon EOS M50
- Vlogging microphone: Røde VideoMicro
MUSIC:
- Resolutions 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/...
- The Restoration 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/...
- Childhood by Scott Buckley | / scottbuckley
Music promoted by www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0)
creativecommons.org/licenses/...
CHAPTERS:
- 00:39 Intro
- 01:55 Arriving at the beach
- 04:46 Bar-tailed godwits
- 07:21 On our way to the next location
- 12:34 The ruff lek!
- 14:25 Red-necked phalaropes

[@dalemews1]

More incredible images. They are so much more than simple record shots. They convey the beauty of the subject in an artistic way, showing the environment in which it was captured and thereby creating atmosphere. I can certainly appreciate all the time and effort you have obviously put in. Well done!

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate that! 🙏

[@markwhitesell4491]

Tobias - thank you for "taking me along" with you on this amazing photo shoot. Spectacular images and story-telling, as usual. I also really enjoy the music you use in your videos. Keep up to amazing work!

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you so much! I put a lot of effort into finding suitable sound tracks, so I appreciate you noticing!

[@gr_br]

I learned very early on during my photographic outings I should never focus on only one particular type of animal. By doing so, I never return home disappointed. Something I learned by watching and learning from talented professional artist such as Tobias Gjerde 🙂

[@TobiasGjerde]

Haha thank you very much! Although I believe that varies from time to time. On some occasions, I like to wander around from subject to subject. But as a matter of fact, the more time you spend with a subject, the more likely you are to experience interesting conditions and behaviour, which ultimately results in better photos.

[@gr_br]

​@@TobiasGjerde I 100% agree. I drawn a conclusion after watching a local bird near my home that is the California Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica) who are just as intelligent as crows and ravens. ps, To clarify, this conclusion came after 16-years of encounters.

[@waynearchibald3920]

Wow! 🙏

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you!

[@AB-gj8ug]

Thank you !

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank YOU for the support!

[@christianhenningsen1]

Beautiful footage 👏

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you very much!

[@FunFriday]

just wow.

[@TobiasGjerde]

Much appreciated!

[@larsalfredson2752]

Excellent as usual 👍👍

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you very much!

[@meherbaba-re5xp]

🥰🥰😘😘😍😍

[@bobrutan4735]

Great shots!

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you very much!

[@garymorrow9324]

Your videos are such an inspiration.

[@TobiasGjerde]

I'm very glad you like them!

[@apumountainguides]

Wouu This is great work ✨️🏆

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you!

[@Yumirj]

You are very talented

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you very much!

[@BrentHall]

Man, that was incredible!

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you so much!

[@ED-on8to]

Impressive photos! Keep up your work!

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks a lot!

[@jessewilkinson7613]

Keep up the good work mate!

[@TobiasGjerde]

Cheers Jesse! Much appreciated!

[@Alex-S.]

Beautiful video mate! 👍👏👏👏

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks a lot! 🙏

[@pierre-gillesandri6207]

Amazing photos!! I was really impressed. Subscribed

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate that!

[@joncothranphotography9375]

Those are some amazing birds! Thanks for allowing me to tag along with you on your adventure!

[@TobiasGjerde]

Definitely! The birds in Varanger are truly special! Thank you for your support 🙏

[@capturingnaturewithsandip]

Awesome so lovely captured. Thanks for sharing so wonderful video & big like

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you very much! 🙏

[@iguanablue1963]

Yo did it again. Nice job...and Happy New Year¡

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks so much! Happy new year!

[@pgordijn4561]

The footage and photographs are stunning and so divers. The whole series was breathtakingly beautiful. Hope to visit the Varanger area someday. Thanks for making me part of this wonderful expedition.

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you so much for your kind words! It's funny you mention it, because I was planning on doing a guided trip to Varanger for two participants this March, but they had to cancel. So if you would like to join me for an amazing adventure, and maybe bring along a friend, let me know and I will send you more info. You can send me an email to [e-mail] for more info, completely non-binding. Happy new year!

[@VABrowneMDPhD]

Phenomenal video and stunningly beautiful images. I like your eye for composition, color, silhouettes, and artistic renditions of the various species! Thank you for taking us along, and your adventure!

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it

[@honorab6220]

This series was so good! So many great images and I enjoyed the video footage and the storytelling. Very much looking forward to more of your vlogs.

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate that!

[@YC-ut1ff]

High quality as usual. Can't wait to see your next advanture!

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you very much! The next adventure includes winds of up to 100 km/h and wild reindeer - so stay tunded ;)

[@jamesbarnes3063]

Beautiful and happy 2024

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks! Happy new year!

[@michelbigras]

Thanks Tobias for sharing your passion with us. Stunning photos as always.

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks a lot! I greatly appreciate it!

[@picturepowerphotography1126]

incredible shots of the Ruff, superb video

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you so much! 🙏

[@emilvacek610]

Very nice video and presentation of the subjects that you photographed, defiantly on my bucket list especially the Ruff.

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks a lot! The ruff lek is an experience and a half!

[@tukkl00]

Stunning footage and great images again, Tobias.

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you very much! Glad you liked it!

[@sarkarpappu]

Beautiful work my friend. Keep it up.

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks so much!

[@celeritasc9207]

Absolutely stunning video and images. I love the way you integrate a sense of abstractness in your images. Sometimes, the background is abstract, sometimes the subject, sometimes both. You have a very creative style and have much talent. BTW I have finally opened your calendar. It was saved as a Christmas gift from my wife. I am delighted with your selection of photos. It is nice that there is such variation in the style of your selected photos. Now that it is 2024, every month, I will have a different one of your images to motivate and inspire me to indulge in my own photography. One day, perhaps I can become as accomplished as you. I do have some photographs of terns re-emerging, similar to your July photograph; that is a start.

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you so much for your kind words and support! It truly means a lot! And I am very glad you enjoyed the calendar. Keep getting out there and enjoying nature - it truly is a gift

[@nielsaerts9971]

This was one of the most breathtaking wildlife videos I've seen recently. Especially the part with the ruffs was unreal! Just of out curiosity: in which general part of Varanger was this and when in June? Of course I'm not expecting exact locations(!), but maybe you can give a general idea?

[@TobiasGjerde]

Hi, thank you so much for your kind words! We travelled all around Varangerhalvøya, from Kongsfjordfjellet to Vardø, and everything in between. Could you maybe be interested in partaking in a guided trip some time?

[@nielsaerts9971]

@@TobiasGjerde Hi Tobias, thanks for the information! I'm sure a guided trip would turn into an unforgettable experience, but I do not think it will be feasible for me. Will keep it in mind though! Happy birding!

[@superchips2872]

Kult reinsdyr

[@terryroth2855]

Your videos are always most enjoyable and informative. Look forward to more of them. Have a Great New Year.

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you very much! That means a lot! Happy new year!

[@nicolasstettler_fotografie]

Epic video man! Now I look even more forward to getting back up there next summer!

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you so much! Enjoy!

[@StephenJStephen_Photography]

Happy New Year Tobias! Thank you for sharing your photographic adventures with us. Another wonderful series of video clips and still photos.

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you so much Stephen! I greatly appreciate that!

[@theflyingdutchman7127]

Hi Tobias From the Netherlands I wish you a prosperous and happy new year, and that 2024 may be the year of promises and fulfilled wishes. beautiful photos and video. with kind regards

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you so much! Happy new year to you too!

[@Skaupedia]

W video

[@TobiasGjerde]

Cheers! 🙏

[@frednorman1]

How do you get such great video without any shakiness? it looks to me like your videos are shot hand held without a tripod. Is the image stabilization on your lens that good?

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you so much! I shoot hand-held, yes. The stabilization helps quite a bit, but I honestly don’t think it’s that great. I’ve learned a lot about keeping a steady hand through practice, as well as military training (holding the rifle steady), so that helps. But most importantly, I slow down the footage. This way, any jittering is reduced to slower, smoother movements

Great video and images! Ruff leak at Varanger has been a dream of mine for over 10 years, ever since I started photographing them at what used to be their breeding ground in Biebrza National Park here in Poland. Well maybe in 2025 who knows, All the best in the new year Tobias!

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks so much mate! Why not 2024, if I may ask? It's an amazing experience to witness this bizarre behaviour!

@@TobiasGjerde I’m going to study in Spain for the spring semester, I will unfortunately not have the funds to travel more this year.

[@Hendopomeranianpuppy]

Hei Tobias ! Dette er så vakkert ! Godt nytt år klem fra Rita og Hendo

[@Hendopomeranianpuppy]

Så utrolig nydelig ! Veldig avslappende å se på ! Klem

[@TobiasGjerde]

Tusen takk! Utrolig hyggelig å høre!

[@tomiphakala]

Tobias, Greetings from Finland! Are you available as a guide if I visit Varanger this spring? I'v been at Hornoya but I don't know much about other good locations at your area.

[@TobiasGjerde]

Hi, I would be very happy to guide you. Send me an email to [e-mail], and we can discuss further details.

[@wildlifeclips439]

3:41 How does it curve its bill upwards and then straightens it?

[@wildlifeclips439]

Is there a joint there?

[@TobiasGjerde]

To be honest, I am not completely sure. But I’ve seen it in several wading birds when they yawn. I would presume it’s for a more sensitive grip when foraging in the mud