According to Lonely Planet, Norway is “the last refuge for some of the most intriguing wildlife.” Curious to know which ones they are? Let’s start with these 3:
The orca
In northwestern Norway, along the Vesterålen islands, the orca goes in search of food. The seabed of the miles-deep Atlantic Ocean rises rapidly here toward the continental shelf. This creates strong water currents where plenty of food can be found for these apex predators of the ocean.
Orcas live in tight-knit groups that can consist of 3 to 50 animals. Sometimes orcas drive their prey to the water’s surface and stun them there by slapping the water with their tails. While hunting, they make whistling and clicking sounds.
Besides orcas, there’s definitely a chance of encountering humpback whales around Vesterålen. These massive whales weigh about 30 tons each and work together perfectly to frustrate and devour schools of herring. An impressive sight.
The white-tailed eagle
With a wingspan of over 6 feet, the white-tailed eagle is the largest bird you’ll find in Northern Norway. It’s not called the ‘flying door’ for nothing. Not just its giant dimensions, but also its white head and hooked beak make you want to keep your distance from this bird of prey.
The eagles can circle above the fjords for ages. Until they suddenly dive down and skim over the water with outstretched talons to grab a fish. Hopefully, you had your camera ready.
The puffin
The colors and posture of puffins are reminiscent of penguins. They’re just much smaller and make less noise. Unlike penguins, puffins can fly, but they prefer to dive down while using their wings as propellers. They can reach speeds of up to 53 mph.
You can recognize puffins by their bright orange, curved beak and the characteristic white circle around their eyes. That’s why they’re also called clown birds. The birds breed in large colonies on the cliffs and rocks. So bring your binoculars to scan the rock faces meticulously. Every now and then, you’ll see a puffin plunge down in search of a fishy meal.
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Will you join us in searching for wildlife in Lofoten and Vesterålen?
During the Northern Norway Photography trip
Or would you rather go Sailing along the Vesterålen and Atlantic coast? (with whale safari)
