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Encounter with a Bear
What is this bear thinking? Is it examining the sky, or has it perhaps seen a hawk or a raven in the upper branches of the tree? Arola farm, Suomussalmi.
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Late in the evening, one of the bears takes off at great speed. It is likely that the larger male bear seen in the distance frightened it. Wild Brown Bear, Kuhmo.
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In this bear-watching spot, a bear can come as close as a couple of meters from the photography hut. There is, however, no cause for fear, since the bears never come close enough to touch the hut. Wild Brown Bear, Kuhmo.
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A bear passes a hut near Kuhmo, close to the eastern border of Finland. Bears are unaware of the photographer’s presence because the scent travels up the chimney and is carried away. Viiksimo, Kuhmo.
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These two rascals may well be siblings – or just very good friends. They surely do like playing together. Viiksimo, Kuhmo.
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The beginning of June is bear mating season. Male bears can follow females until the point of exhaustion. Arola farm, Suomussalmi.
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Encounter with a Bear
The brown bear is a huge animal, whose sheer size evokes awe. It is, however, in fact a timid creature that avoids contact with humans at all costs.
The brown bear (Ursus arctos) is the largest omnivore in Europe and the national animal of Finland. A fully grown male bear can weigh up to 300 kg.
For the ancient Finns, it was a feared, sacred and highly valued animal. The important status of the bear in Finland is visible in the fact that there are over 200 different names for the animal species in the Finnish language.
In the autumn, the omnivorous bear prepares himself for his winter hibernation by eating e.g. berries. Bears begin the hibernation in their nests between September and March and wake up from their wintry nap between March and May.
The biggest bear populations can be found in Eastern Finland and in Lapland. However, they can regularly be seen also in other parts of Finland. They are, in fact, found in all parts of Finland apart from the Åland islands.
Wild & Free
To be truly free, all you need is the untouched wilderness and a touch of madness in your blood.
