Film Photo Adventure

The Arctic Giant - The Bowhead Whale

Barents Sea, High Arctic, June-August 2024

During our recent marine mammal survey in the Arctic, where we spent time surveying in the off shore waters of the Barents Sea and around Svalbard, we spotted the elusive bowhead whales out in open waters south of Svalbard´s mountainous archipelago.

This whale species is the only full-time arctic resident among the baleen whales and is normally found near or in the sea ice.

From above water one doesn’t see much of this skim feeding giant when it swims at the surface with its mouth wide open. This Arctic baleen whale is a filter feeder, feeding mainly on zooplankton, including krill, copepods and other crustaceans.

Its raised nostrils and lack of dorsal fin are thought to be adaptations to living in ice. This Arctic giant is considered to be the longest-living mammal, reaching an age of well above 200 years.

Barents Sea

Barents Sea, High Arctic, June-August 2024

Out with The Norwegian Institute of Marine Research on a two months marine mammal survey in the Arctic.

This summer’s survey covers the offshore waters of the Barents Sea, Greenland Sea and around Svalbard.

From calm seas and clear skies to rainy and windy days or long lasting thick fog, from our watch towers we get a great variety of weather and views while patiently keeping a good lookout for signs of any potential marine mammal in the sea.

The northern fulmar keeps being our most frequent and very appreciated company during our watch hours. Such a great experience it would be to be a fulmar for a day effortlessly flying in the strong winds and above the stormy seas!

When winds are strong and the sea too big for the survey, the mountainous fjords of Svalbard provide us with good shelter.

This year, we sighted the elusive bowhead whales, more on this in the next blogpost.

Viva Mediterranea

Columbretes Islands, Mediterranean, Spain

A little visit to Columbretes, a Natural Park and Marine Reserve formed by isolated volcanic islets off the Spanish Mediterranean coast.

Even if brief, it is always lovely to return to the wonderful, blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea to observe life both inside as well as outside of the marine reserves.

It clearly shows how incredibly important marine protected areas are for both marine life and those who live on them! 💙

More on Columbretes in a previous post: Islas Columbretes

Beautiful May

Orust, West Coast of Sweden, Scandinavia

Wonderful spring! Although I appreciate all seasons, spring is probably my absolute favorite. So much that happens in nature, behind every single bush and stone, full of life among both animals and plants.

Lovely May, a time that for me is among the most beautiful in Sweden, and what a fantastic display of flowers there is this year!

Meanwhile there is so much rising life in both forests and waters, this is also a peaceful time for reflection and magical moments.

Life In The Shallows

New Caledonia, Coral Sea, South Pacific

There is troll-binding world hidden beneath the waves. This place, filled with beauty, fascination and surprises, is always calling for me.

As much as I love taking the scuba gear on, I love the simplicity and freedom freediving and snorkelling provide. All one need to start exploring the incredible underwater world is a mask and snorkel.

In this blogpost I´d like to share some shallow water beauties from the New Caledonian lagoon. The majority of the pictures are taken just a couple of meters below the surface, only the photos of the turtle, rays and nurse shark are from 5-7 meters depth.