Husky Sledding, Northern Lights, Nature, Wildlife and Photography.
Enjoying some time out running the puppies
As the summer season in Ireland comes to an end, the preparation and drive back to Northern Finland, Lapland begins. The destination is 300km above the Arctic Circle, close to where Finland, Norway and Sweden meet. The nearest town, Akaslompolo is about 30 mins away from home - a cosy cabin in the forest, looking out onto a lake.
Living that far north is something very special. Saying goodbye to the sun in December brings darker days with the softest colours of pink, purple and blue. These colours take over the sky for 3-4 hours each day until the sun rises again mid January.
The darker days, means more magical evenings to watch the Northern Lights. Temperatures drop to -20 / - 35 giving the sauna experience a whole new purpose as it warms up your body after a day outside.
Reindeer in Lapland remind me of the sheep in Ireland. They roam around the forests, trails and roads, creating curious and beautiful interactions when you see them. As it is difficult for them to feed over winter with the frozen ground, a local reindeer farmer feeds his reindeer nearby. It makes for a great place to meet and photograph the reindeer which come in their hundreds.
Photography in this environment is unique, with the colourful landscape, nature, wildlife and northern lights throughout winter. Warm gloves and clothing are a must when out with a camera to make the most of those magical moments!
