GREEK SNAKES

Grass Snake (Natrix natrix persa, dark phase)

Nikon D5, Sigma 180 macro 2,8, f/7,1, 1/1000, ISO 1800

Europe has a great viraety of snakes, and in the eastern mediterranean counties you can find many interesting species. My friend biologist Pål Sørensen took me for 8 days of ambitious snake adventure to the north-western Greek mainland. Pål`s main focus was to find as many Smooth Snakes as possible for his ongoing research project on the species, but a nice side effect on searching for Smooth Snakes "24-7" .... is finding other species. 

For Snake Nerds, here is the species list :

Aesculapian Snake (Zamensis longissima) (1)

Balkan Whip Snake (Hierophis gemonensis) (many)

Dahl`s Whip Snake (Platyceps najadum) (quite a few)

Dice Snake (Natrix tessallata) (2)

Four-lined Snake (Elaphe quatuorlineata) (1)

Grass Snake (Natrix natrix persa) (4)

Greek Meadow Viper (Vipera graeca) (1)

Eastern Montpellier Snake (Mapolon insignias fuscus) (1)

Nosehorn Viper (Vipera ammodytes) (11)

Smooth Snake (Coronella austraica) (32)

Worm Snake (Typhlops vermicularis) (1)

A warm thank you to Pål Sørensen for a great experience and indispensable assistance in shooting situations. 

Hope you like he pictures ! 

Grass Snake (Natrix natrix persa, dark phase)

Nikon D5, Sigma 180 macro 2,8, f/7,1, 1/1000, ISO 1800

Grass Snake (Natrix natrix persa)

Nikon D5, Sigma 105 macro 2,8, f/6,3, 1/400, ISO 450

Nosehorn Viper (Vipera ammodytes), male

Known to be the most venomous of all European snakes, causing many human fatalities in historic times before anti-venom technology was developed

Nikon D5, Sigma 180 macro 2,8, f/6,3, 1/250, ISO 280

Nosehorn Viper (Vipera ammodytes), male

Late May in Northern Greece offers a lot of blooming plants and the colourful lush gives special photographic opportunities.  

Nikon D5, Sigma 180 macro 2,8, f/6,3, 1/250, ISO 220

Greek Meadow Viper (Vipera graeca)

A small and rare viper-species inhabiting the high alpine region of some areas in the Greek north western mainland. Recently regarded be a separate species (Vipera graeca), earlier understood to be an subspecies of the Ursini Viper (Vipera ursinii graeca), ... and before that again : Vipera ursinii. 

Nikon D5, Sigma 180 macro 2,8, f/5,0, 1/400, ISO 180

High alpine habitat of the Greek Meadow Viper at almost 2000 m altitude

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Eastern Montpellier Snake (Mapolon insignitus fuscus). A big, solid and beautiful (!!) snake that can grow up to incredible 2,4 m (this one was about 1,5 m), harsh looking indeed ... with attitude and a lot of sharp teeth !! The species is venomous and backfanged, but however not dangerous for humans. Its been a long time dream of mine to find a snake like this !! Happy !!!

Nikon D5, Sigma 105 macro 2,8, f/18,0, 1/320, ISO 2200

Eastern Montpellier Snake (Mapolon insignitus fuscus) 

Nikon D5, Sigma 105 macro 2,8, f/6,3, 1/500, ISO 560

Eastern Montpellier Snake (Mapolon insignitus fuscus) 

Nikon D5, Sigma 105 macro 2,8, f/6,3, 1/1250, ISO 1400

Eastern Montpellier Snake (Mapolon insignitus fuscus) 

Nikon D5, Sigma 105 macro 2,8, f/6,3, 1/320, ISO 360

Eastern Montpellier Snake (Mapolon insignitus fuscus) 

Nikon D5, Sigma 180 macro 2,8, f/6,3, 1/640, ISO 640

Four-lined Snake (Elaphe quatuorlineata). Known to be the biggest of all European snakes and can grow up to incredible 2,6 m !! Like other rat snakes it prefers small mammal prey like rats and rabbits. Prey is often constricted.

Nikon D5, Sigma 180 2,8 macro, f/6,3, 1/1250, ISO 1000

Four-lined Snake (Elaphe quatuorlineata)

Nikon D5, Sigma 180 2,8 macro, f/6,3, 1/2000, ISO 1800

Aesculapian Snake (Zamensis longissima). Another great find for me !! A beautiful snake that can grow up to 2,0 m, diurnal and can be found climbing as well as on the ground. Food is basically small mammals like mice & squirrels, and the prey is often constricted. When approached in can defend itself with attitude ! 

Nikon D5, Sigma 105 2,8 macro, f/5,0, 1/400, ISO 1600

Aesculapian Snake (Zamensis longissima).

Nikon D5, Sigma 105 2,8 macro, f/5,0, 1/400, ISO 560

Aesculapian Snake (Zamensis longissima).

Nikon D5, Sigma 105 2,8 macro, f/5,0, 1/400, ISO 560

Aesculapian Snake (Zamensis longissima).

Nikon D5, Sigma 105 2,8 macro, f/7,1, 1/400, ISO 1800

Balkan Whip Snake (Hierophis gemonensis) 

Nikon D5, Sigma 105 2,8 macro, f/9,0, 1/400, ISO 900

Dahl`s Whip Snake (Platyceps najadum) 

Nikon D5, Sigma 105 2,8 macro, f/5,6, 1/640, ISO 1100

Dice Snake (Natrix tessellata) 

Nikon D5, Sigma 180 2,8 macro, f/11,0, 1/320, ISO 2500

Worm Snake (Typhlops vermicularis) ... looking like an Earth Worm, but yes, ... it is a snake !! 

Nikon D5, Sigma 105 2,8 macro, f/6,3, 1/400, ISO 200

Taking DNA samples from Smooth Snake (Coronella austraica)

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Biologist Pål Sørensen holding a big European Glass Lizard (Pseudupus apodous) .. a limbless lizard that can grow up to 1,5 m !

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DEEP WINTER WOLVERINE (JERV)

A magic moment as I witness the wolverines first approach to the carcasse 

D5, 600 4,0, f/4,0, 1/400, ISO 6400

A "Deep Winter Wolverine" has long been a dream of mine !! .... I've had wild fantasies about close encounters, deep winter with frost in the face, warm breath, white snow ... and a bloody carrion .... and I have tried, spent weeks (yes : weeks !!!) in cold winter hides and only had a few "far away sightings". Doing summer-wolverines is not necessarily so difficult if you go to Finland (yes Finland, in barbaric Norway we kill them !!), know the right places and spend enough time, .... but in winter wolverines change their behaviour completely and become shyer and often "unachievable".  

My project in Finland in February & March 2019 was originally about black grouse and owls, which unfortunately failed completely. After 5 days of hard work I did not have a single picture !! "In panic" I improvised 3 days / nights in a hide with possible wolverine ... and it turned out to be a cold experience with (of various reasons) no heating through the nights. In the mornings I had 30 degrees below outside and 15 below inside the hide ... surviving the nights in 2 (improvised) thin summer sleeping bags and eating frozen food!! 

Chilly !!!

I finally got my "Deep Winter Wolverine", and I am so impressed and fascinated over how this relatively small mammal (9 - 25 kg) handles deep snow, frozen food, digging, lifting, climbing with raw power !! In every single movement the animal displays incredible muscles and alethic energy. Amazing animal !!!

Thanks to Eero Kemilä, Ilvo Juntunen & Tapio Lappalainen. 

Wolverines never walk, no matter distance, long or short, they always run 

D5, 600 4,0, f/6,3, 1/1250, ISO 250

Hearing camera sound

D5, 400 2,8, f/2,8, 1/400, ISO 2000

D5, 600 4,0, f/6,3, 1/1250, ISO 360

D5, 600 4,0, f/6,3, 1/1000, ISO 5600

D5, 600 4,0, f/6,3, 1/1000, ISO 5600

D5, 600 4,0, f/4,0, 1/400, ISO 8000

D5, 600 4,0, f/4,0, 1/400, ISO 7200

Approaching the carrion

D5, 400 2,8, f/2,8, 1/2400, ISO 10000

Hungry wolverine with frozen drool

D5, 600 4,0 + 1,4 converter = 840 mm, f/6,3, 1/1000, ISO 2200

D5, 600 4,0, f/6,3, 1/1000, ISO 5000

D5, 600 4,0, f/6,3, 1/1000, ISO 2200

Before leaving the carrion the female wolverine always urinates on the food to mark her territory

 D5, 600 4,0, f/4,0, 1/400, ISO 5600

Urinating on the food

D5, 400 2,8, f/2,8, 1/400, ISO 11400

"Oversized" paws and strong, sharp claws enables easy climbing

D5, 600 4,0, f/6,3, 1/1250, ISO 1000

D5, 600 4,0, f/6,3, 1/1250, ISO 1100

D5, 600 4,0, f/6,3, 1/1250, ISO 900

Later in the morning .... after the sun started "warming up" ... there was still 29,5 degrees below outside and 12,8 degrees below inside !!

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Selfie behind camera position !!

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Bonus : great grey owl
D5, 400 2,8, f/2,8, 1/1250, ISO 32000

NORTHERN FINLAND JANUARY 2019

Frozen taiga landscape. Kuusamo. 

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Northern Finland mid January 2019 ... with short days, arctic twilights and deep cold. Temperatures can drop below 40 degrees (below 50 in 1999 !). Wildlife adaptions to harsh climate is amazing ! For 2 weeks I was a humble visitor to document their everyday challenges. 

All pictures taken in Kuusamo and Utsjoki region. Thanks to Markus Varesvuo, Olli Lamminsalo & Jame Hellander. 

Male black woodpecker / svartspett. Kuusamo.

D5, 400 2,8, f/3,5, 1/2500, ISO 2000  

Male black woodpecker / svartspett. Kuusamo.

D5, 600 4,0, f/4,0, 1/250, ISO 6400 

Male black woodpecker / svartspett. Kuusamo

D5, 400 2,8, f/2,8, 1/400, ISO 4000 

Female grey-headed woodpecker / gråspett. Kuusamo

D5, 600 4,0, f/4,5, 1/800, ISO 3200  

Female grey-headed woodpecker. Kuusamo

D5, 400 2,8, f/2,8, 1/2000, ISO 7200

Female grey-headed woodpecker / gråspett. Kuusamo

D5, 400 2,8, f/2,8, 1/2000, ISO 7200

Dipper / Fossekall. Kuusamo

D5, 600 4,0 + 1,4 converter =850 mm, f/5,6, 1/20, ISO 500, 

Dipper / Fossekall. Kuusamo

D5, 600 4,0 + 1,4 converter = 850 mm, f/8,0, 1/15, ISO 450 

Dipper / Fossekall. Kuusamo. Concentrating for next dive ... in minus 20 degrees !

D5, 600 4,0 + 1,4 converter = 850 mm, f/8,0, 1/15, ISO 640 

Dipper / Fossekall. Resting on a piece of ice. Kuusamo

D5, 600 4,0 + 1,4 converter = 850 mm, f/8,0, 1/20, ISO 900  

Sibirian Tit / Lappmeis : tiny little body that weighs about 10 gr in wintertime and with a max of 10 mm isolation .....  endures temperatures below 40 degrees cold ! Kuusamo

D5, 400 2,8, f/5,6, 1/500, ISO 1400 

Golden eagle / kongeørn. Kuusamo

D5, 400 2,8, f/3,2, 1/2500, ISO 2800

Golden eagle / kongeørn. Kuusamo

D5, 400 2,8, f/3,2, 1/2500, ISO 6400

Golden eagle / kongeørn. Kuusamo

D5, 400 2,8, f/3,2, 1/2000, ISO 3200

Golden eagles / kongeørn .... an old couple. Kuusamo

D5, 400 2,8 + 2,0 converter = 800 mm, f/5,6, 1/500, ISO 4000

Utsjoki high alpine accommodation

D5, 600 4,0, f/6,3, 1/1000, ISO 800

Ptarmigan / fjellrype. Utsjoki

D5, 600 4,0 + 1,4 converter = 850 mm, f/5,6, 1/800, ISO 1100

Ptarmigan / fjellrype. Utsjoki

D5, 600 4,0 + 1,4 converter = 850 mm, f/5,6, 1/800, ISO 4000

English setter Molli .... helping to find ptarmigans. Utsjoki

D5, 600 4,0 + 1,4 converter = 850 mm, f/5,6, 1/800, ISO 1250, 

Early afternoon twilight in arctic January, Utsjoki  

D5, 70-200 / 112 mm, f/5,6, 1/500, ISO 1800

Early moonrise, Utsjoki

D5, 600 4,0, f/4,0, 1/400, ISO 800

Afternoon arctic twilight and deep cold. Utsjoki. Stich of 5 pictures

D5, 70-200 2,8, f/5,6, 1/500, ISO 1250  

5 hours drive through arctic taiga forest, almost without any sign of houses or human settlements. 

I love Finland ! 

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