Golden Eagle and White-tailed Eagle photography in wintry Norwegian mountain environment
Winter in the Eagle Kingdom
Fokus Fotoresor
Overview
There were so many who wanted to take the last chance so we have agreed with Ole Martin to run one more group. This will be the last group in Ole Martin Dahle's magnificent golden eagle hide on "the mountain". Brutus was involved from the start with the hide in autumn 2005. He sat for four sessions, a total of four weeks, before the first eagle landed - it was an adult white-tailed eagle that sat in a tree as snow fell. One of the images from those five minutes he sold as a feature image to National Geographic the very next day.
But it was a magnificent start for a hide in a magnificently beautiful location.
The idea was that Brutus would have the hide for a year before guests came. But when people saw the images, there was quickly a queue at Ole Martin's. And the rest is history.
Now the hide is to be taken down and Ole Martin will retire, and therefore Brutus is concluding by taking one last group there before the "hut" is closed down..
We have extended the trip to now include four days of photography, and also with the possibility to purchase an additional hide day. We use the well-established golden eagle hide on the mountain edge for three days and one of the four photo days we spend at sea photographing white-tailed eagles together with the world's leading eagle guide, Ole Martin. White-tailed eagle photography at sea in winter is relatively new, but there has been extreme action, and this season becomes extra exciting with white-tailed eagles that come at even closer range than in summer.
Four full days of intensive photography, five nights.
Golden eagles in wonderful mountain environment
The golden eagle hide on the mountain has attracted photographers here from all over the world. In autumn 2005, Brutus sat alone for a total of four weeks in a drafty and damp shed. The location was wonderfully beautiful. Eventually first the white-tailed eagle and then also the golden eagles came. The images of the white-tailed eagle in the tree with snowfall were published around the world and when Brutus also showed images of the golden eagles in the fantastic mountain environment, naturally other photographers wanted to try the same place. Ole Martin then built a proper, insulated hide that has since attracted photographers from all over the world every winter.
The hide is located on a mountain, behind the place where the eagles are fed lies a "valley" and the background in the images becomes the mountain on the other side.
It is a fantastically beautiful environment, the light is favorable from early morning to afternoon, and here comes not only golden eagles but also nutcrackers, crows, magpies and also ravens. During covid times, a more modern and significantly more spacious hide has replaced the fifteen-year-old hide.
Here lenses from 200 mm to 400–500 mm apply if you use a full-frame camera. Somewhat shorter if you use a camera with a crop format sensor.
A 1.4x converter that fits the long telephoto or the long
telephoto zoom is good for close-ups. A 100-400 mm or equivalent
is usually perfect, and preferably a converter for close-ups. Those who
have faster lenses can naturally bring them. A 300 mm f/2.8 with
converters provides possibilities for variation, ideally 100-300 mm and f/2.8
White-tailed eagles are rougher and tougher in winter
One of the four photo days we go out to sea. White-tailed eagles catching fish in winter is something special. They are rougher, go closer to the boat and make impressive dives.
"FISH IS OUT, EAGLE IS COMING" shouts Ole Martin Dahle from his position at the helm. Ole Martin operates the boat with an experienced hand, he checks the wind direction and after throwing the fish he positions the boat so that we get the eagle either from the side, diagonally from the front or in the best case almost straight from the front. Everything depends on the circumstances: the direction and strength of the wind and the position of the sun but also on which eagle it is.
In Ole Martin Dahle's eagle kingdom in Nord-Trøndelag it's about more than a hundred eagles, if you count the younger ones too. The white-tailed eagles recognize the boat and Ole Martin.
Over the years, Ole Martin has refined his photography skills and his homemade technique. Regardless of which direction the eagle comes from, Ole Martin always ensures that we "shoot" on the left side of the boat. We never need to hesitate, when the eagle approaches the boat will be positioned with the port side toward the direction where the eagle will make its dive to take the fish. The photographers can concentrate on getting the images.
We stay at Eagle House
We stay at Ørnehuset, a modern, airy and comfortable house by one of the fjords down on Ole Martin's land. This last time meals are included, breakfast and lunch packages and a prepared evening meal.
Price
Early bird price
1,660 EUR
per person
Normally 1,750 EUR
Valid until 15 May 2026
Then 1,660 EUR t.o.m. 15 May 2026
Secure your spot — registration fee
460 EUR
Travel guarantee included
Small groups, personal experience
Planned for light, timing and photo opportunities
Photo gallery
Itinerary
The workshop/trip starts and ends in Lauvsnes, Nord-Trøndelag.
Day 1
Arrival at Ole Martin's, by 6 PM at the latest. Brutus has an evening review of photography technique before the photography.
Day 2, 3, 4 and 5
During these days we run three days in the golden eagle hides and one day at sea with white-tailed eagles. We plan the days with consideration to the weather.
Day 6
After breakfast we travel home.
Those who want can add a hide session in the golden eagle hide on the mountain. But then bags must be packed before the hide session and stored in the car or in Eagle House. Exit from the golden eagle hide occurs around 4 PM (but you cannot leave without being picked up by Ole Martin).
Included in the price
- Share in double room
- Three days in golden eagle hide and one day white-tailed eagle photography in winter environment at sea
- Four days with full board (NEW FOR THIS LAST TIME)
Not included
- Travel to and from Lauvsnes
- Pick-up at Steinkjer station can be arranged for a certain cost, from the airport there are express trains every hour to Steinkjer, about one hour
- We can also help arrange shared transport from Stockholm - if possible
Practical information
Trip leader/guide
Brutus Östling/Ole Martin Dahle
Number of participants
Min 5 / Max 5.
Included in the price
Share in double room. Three days in golden eagle hide and one day white-tailed eagle photography in winter environment at sea. Four days with full board (NEW FOR THIS LAST TIME)
Accommodation
We stay at Ole Martin's Ørnehus, a large, spacious and modern house where we can cook our own food, arrange "breakfast packages" etc. for the hide.
Not included in the price
Travel to and from Lauvsnes. Pick-up at Steinkjer station can be arranged for a certain cost, from the airport there are express trains every hour to Steinkjer, about one hour. We can also help arrange shared transport from Stockholm - if possible.
Single room
Supplement 2,200 kr subject to availability.
Camera equipment
The golden eagle hides on the mountain respectively the mountain. Here lenses from 200 mm to 400–500 mm with full frame apply. Somewhat shorter if you use a camera with crop format sensor.
A 100-400 mm or equivalent is usually perfect, and preferably a converter for close-ups. Those who have faster lenses can naturally bring them. A 300 mm f/2.8 with converters provides possibilities for variation. In the golden eagle respectively goshawk hide you cannot change lenses, because they stick out.
Since we will have opportunities for many different types of subjects it is appropriate to bring everything from wide-angle lenses or normal zoom to telephoto lenses. Telephoto zoom lenses, e.g.
70-300 mm or 80/100-400 mm or 200-500 mm (Nikon) alternatively 200-600 mm (Sony) are good because you cannot change lenses in the hide. The alternative is fixed focal length with converters for increased usability.
Since there is a risk that it sometimes snows or in worse cases rains, seawater (salt water!) can splash in the boat. Water-resistant equipment or a waterproof camera cover. Also consider having water-protective covers for the camera bag or backpack for boat trips.
If you have access to two camera bodies it is good to bring both.
Tripod head must be brought for the hides.
A light tripod for possible northern lights photography at night.
Everyone will take more pictures than they might think, so bring several memory cards and hard drives.
Clothing
In the hide we can usually maintain 5-10 degrees with a heater (if it's minus 5-10 outside). Toilet is available in the hide. At sea it is cold not least due to the wind. We get to borrow a warm and relatively windproof suit but underneath you need a couple of sweaters and long underwear in addition to regular pants. Scarf or neck warmer, wool terry socks, roomy mittens with separate finger gloves under these mittens. We must have movable fingers to operate the camera equipment during the actual photography. Hat.
When we move on land and go to the hides warm outer clothing is needed.
Accessibility
The boat as well as the hide have limitations regarding accessibility for mobility impairments. But much can be solved. Contact us well in advance and ask.
Accommodation
is a modern house with four bedrooms, two with two beds and two single rooms. A desk in each room. Good standard. Terrace with sea view. The village is surrounded by high mountains and fjords. Large common area on the ground floor, two large shower rooms and toilets, kitchen with large dining table that is often used for computer work when we're not eating. Self-catering but there is a restaurant down by the harbor in the village. Well-stocked grocery store, Spar, in the village.
Visa/Passport
Swedish citizens need a passport or national ID card issued by the police. When checking in for flights a passport is required. In these times everyone must keep track of special rules, and we will naturally check everything extra carefully and inform as much as we can as it approaches.
*Payment terms
The payment terms deviate from our general travel terms.
The registration fee is 4,400 SEK. An additional 5,600 is paid at the latest 120 days before. The remainder is paid at the latest 60 days before the trip begins. Upon cancellation up to 60 days before the workshop's start nothing more than the booking fee and invoice number 2 of 5,600 kr is charged, however Fokus retains this. Upon later cancellation than 60 days before the workshop the full price is charged, regardless of the reason for cancellation.
Our price is calculated based on an exchange rate where the Norwegian crown costs 0.92 SEK (February 3, 2023). The price is based on the price information we received for 2026. Possible increases from Ole Martin Dahle's side may be added.
With fewer than 5 participants = 4 participants a supplement of 2,500 kr per participant is added.
Insurance
In collaboration with Europeiska ERV we offer a complement to your home insurance and a cancellation protection. All to make you as secure as possible on your trip. Read more about what the insurance covers and
Good to know
Plan early for the best light windows
Early decisions improve flight options, logistics, and access to peak photo opportunities.
See current availability and prices in the booking form above