Saimaa seal excursion

We were a few bird quides invited to watch Saimaa seals to Rantasalmi, in the neighborhood of Linnansaari Nationalpark. The inviter was Elina Enho from Trillivikla.fi. They organize Saimaa seal safaris.

Saimaa seal is an endangered species. The total amount of this mammal is nowadays only 310 individuals. This breeding season was quite successful with 50 new seal pups. After first year the number of survivors will be about 20. Scientists estimate that the threshold value of seal populations survival is over 400 individuals. Hopefully the protection of Saimaa seals and their habitat will be successful. I suppose it is our generations responsibility.

Our lodging was in a log cottage in beautiful lake landscape on a small island. We got lift from a native Rantasalmi inhabitant, Jari, whose family has lived there from 16th century. He had many funny and interesting stories to tell us. The weather was excellent when he and Elina came to pick us up. Nature was really green as it is during spring summer and lot of bird singing in the air. It was still early evening when we started looking for seals. We had our binoculars with us and we watched shores very carefully because we knew that the Saimaa seals will come up to the flat stones to spend their nights. When our boat was floating in open water my thoughts started to wander. I imagined how our ancestors were floating on these waters fishing and hunting. At that time one Saimaa seal offered lots of food and the skin was multipurpose material for clothes and accessories. But fascinating was the thought that the landscape now is about the same as it has been for hundreds of years. Open waters far away from shores are the only place where the scenery is about invariant. That made me feel really good and confident.

Meanwhile I was deep in my thoughts the others noticed an Osprey flying around its nest stone. Beautiful evening sunbeams coloured  the bird gorgeously.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

When boating around islands and through the narrow straits which Lake Saimaa has thousands and thousands we ran into a beaver couple. They were in the middle of their evening procedures and we saw very quickly a warning. A magnificent tail splash was loud and splatter.

We left the beavers to continue their tasks and sailed along to the next bay. There were spectacular rocks and flat stones on the shoreline. We entered the bay very carefully and slowly, because we anticipated seeing the Saimaa seal just there and how right we were! There was one very handsome, quite dark and spotted individual sun bathing in the last evening sun beams. It was obviously enjoying its whereabouts, probably with full stomach and peaceful mind.

After a good while we left the seal alone and took heading towards our lodging. On our way we still saw a Swan with chics and a Red-necked grebe.

It was a very fine evening with beautiful nature experiences fulfilled with Elina´s complimentary sparkling wine which wrapped up our day with this scenery.

Olli

Patagonian Adventure

Already for a long time we had often been talking about and planning a trip to Patagonia with our friends Auli and Viki. Finally we made a visit to them to make all needed plans and reservations for the trip. After that the dream of Patagonian adventure started to come true. Even the flights would last more than thirty hours we waited anxiously for the journey. We had already read about places like Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine National Park from which we had pictures in our minds. The plan was to drive around the area and make a few days hike at Torres del Paine.

We explored Torres Del Paine surroundings with our four wheel drive to find, or at least see a flash, of a Patagonian puma. They were smarter than us and we didn´t see any. Then we drove to the starting point of our hike via Lake Amarga where we wished to see Chilean Flamingos. These species are the most southern in the world and we succeeded to meet them. Those pink birds were somehow unreal in this unfertile environment.

From the Lake Amarga you can see the tree granite boulders which are the signs of Torres del Paine National Park.

We started our hike from Las Torres. The route took us to the valley of River Ascencio. First we climbed two hours to a ridge from where we started descent to the Camping Chileno where we mounted our camp. The climb was heavy with all the outdoor equipments and photographing gear. But as usual it was worth it because of the beautiful sceneries.

Next morning we hiked to the tree towers, Torres Sur, Central and Norte. Weather was excellent with only a few clouds in the sky. Climbing was now much easier than the previous day without the heavy back bag even though it was steeper. It wasn´t just walking, we took some breaks from time to time. While sitting and resting we saw local birds like Patagonian Sierra-finch, House wren and Caracara.

                                                   

 

When we arrived up to the site Base Las Torres we saw that huge, mainly black coloured Andean Condor gliding over us. This bird is the biggest in the world with wingspan even more than tree meters. Andean Condors are scavengers with head and neck of reddish bare skin. These creatures are gorgeous. When we looked up to these awesome birds, there had gathered clouds in the sky. The weather changes fast indeed in the mountains and maybe the change of weather made the condors fly more actively. They used upward moving air skillfully to save energy and glide smoothly.  Occasionally they stopped gliding and made fast turns with hanging legs to take a rest on a cliff.

The descent down to the camp was nice and easy. We did it very much in peace just enjoying the Nature and sceneries. Those were amazing days during an unforgettable trip far away from homeland in hospitable and friendly southern Chile.

Olli 

Morning with a Common Sandpiper

I did a day hike with Kati and dogs at Meiko recreation area in Kirkkonummi. We walked zigzag all over the area and came to a beautiful small lake which looks like a wilderness lake. Shores were growing woods all the way to the waterline and here and there were big rocks, partly in the water. We sat down for a coffee break and took a little rest. As soon as I had my mug in my hand I heard familiar sandpiper beeping. That was a pleasant break watching hustling and bustling of the busy bird. Quite soon we recognised that the favourite place was one of the big rocks on the shoreline.  While sitting and watching there I decided to come back one day with my tent hide and camera.

The one day was quite soon after the first visit on a sunny morning. I woke up same time with the sun and packed all my gears - hide, camera and of course thermos with coffee - into the car and drove to Meiko. During these early hours the parking area was empty. I took my stuff and walked to the lake and mounted my hide to a reasonable distance from the favourite rock. The morning was absolutely amazing with sunshine, lot of birds singing and some kind of active touch. I was watching and listening and didn´t sit for very long when a Swan was tooting and it landed on the lake.  At the same time Black-throated divers ku-kuiiik, ku-kuiiik echoed at the lake. That sound always generates wild nature atmosphere. And immediately after this the Common sandpiper landed on the rock. 

Funny energetic wader, which took a break for its morning stretching on the rock. To watch nature is miraculous. I don´t mean only this kind of special moments. To watch plants, insects, animals and landscapes is really therapeutic and it makes you feel like part of it and that you belong to the Nature.

Suddenly a loud noise of big wings interrupted Sandpipers morning manners. The Swan made take-off run on the calm water surface. It is always a majestic and impressive sight.

When the Swan departed and I waited for the Sandpiper to return the time ran and Black-throated divers swam closer into sight. If some birds are streamlined, it´s divers.

When enjoying great Natures spectacular moments I feel privileged! This time the birds made it special but sometimes it is just the silence. The silence that can be so deep that you can hear the fish swim. I believe that we have the skill and will to live so that experiences like these are possible also in the future.

Olli