Vincent Munier – Forollhogna National Park, Norway I

It took me two long, long days to get to the Vingelen Valley, one of the entrances to the Forollhogna National Park. I was travelling with Laurent Joffrion, old time friend and film director, with whom I will share this mission, looking for the wild reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) that lives on this tundra.
We arrived late afternoon, at the fabulous time of the day when the sunrays cut out the edges of the autumn landscapes. On each side of the road, we saw dark forests of pine trees and golden birches, punctuated by traditional cattle farms.

In one of those farms we set our “base camp”, from which we explored the area. I adore the exterior of this house, made of wood, and with a vegetation roof, such as all the other farms in the area. A unique tradition that makes you feel even more the uniqueness of this place. Thank you Thomas Lillehagen, who organized this for the Wild Wonders of Europe project.
The same evening I also met Stein Kaasin, a former shepherd who is now a Park ranger and knows the Forollhogna mountains so well. He told us something crucial about the wild reindeer - Unlike the tame herds, the wild reindeer travel great distances, mainly towards the wind direction. So in order to find the reindeer we will have to be attentive to the weather forecasts. We set up the appointment for the next morning at dawn to go on our first hike on the tundra.

The Forollhogna National Park and the surrounding landscapes form a 1,500-square-kilometre entity with numerous jewels to protect. Mount Forollhogna, 1,332 metres high, is the tallest peak of a landscape that spreads in long curves. The valleys are ancestral grazing zones for the sheep, and activity indicators show an ancient human presence. Man has always lived here with an abundant flora and fauna.
Although many interesting animals (like moose) can be found here, the reindeer is our goal. About 2.000 of them are living here. Travelling herds in autumn landscapes, fighting males in mating season, dominating females’ reactions, are the purposes of this mission. A real and beautiful challenge, knowing that the reindeer is quite elusive and the vastness of the area; hoping to see changing circumstances, so that night, fog and bad weather, my favourite conditions, can be part of the images.

Please note that blogs reflect our photographers' opinions and not necessarily those of the directors of Wild Wonders of Europe.