Markus Varesvuo is a name synonymous with excellence in the world of bird photography. Born in Helsinki in 1960, Markus has dedicated his life to studying and photographing the birds of the Western Palearctic and has become one of Finland’s most celebrated wildlife photographers. We asked him to share the stories behind some of his most captivating images of 2024. Tap any image to explore it in fullscreen!
“It’s been a year of highs and lows. There’s always something good in every year and something that doesn’t go as planned. 2024 was no different. I had a Cuckoo project that exceeded my expectations and on the other side, a sparrowhawk project that failed royally. But even in that failure, I captured images that were special. That’s the beauty of nature photography. Even when you can’t photograph what you initially set out to, nature always rewards you with something unexpected.”
Magical winter wilderness
Markus is a creature of habit when it comes to shooting locations. “There are certain places I return to year after year, like Kuusamo and Kuhmo in Northeast Finland, and Utsjoki in Lapland,” he says. “I spend several weeks up north during the winter months, from January to March. Not many birds up there, but the ones present are true winter creatures, adapted to extreme cold and barren conditions.”
For Markus, the harsh, snowy landscapes of Finland’s north are where the magic happens. “Black grouse, woodpeckers, dippers, waxwings, crows, ravens, owls, and even golden eagles – these birds, living in such stark conditions, have a resilience that I find inspiring.”
”For the first picture of the dipper, I used slow shutter speed to make the water feel alive. Winter is a quiet time, not a lot of bird sounds, and the snow acts as a muffler. Everything seems the opposite of alive, except for the water. So I wanted to capture the streaming water as a special effect, next to the Dipper.”
The challenge of capturing a dipper in flight with sharp focus is no small feat, he says. “It required countless attempts, really thousands of frames, hard perseverance and cutting-edge camera gear … The snow helps reflect the little light that winter offers, but even with that, the bird’s speed makes it tricky. A 1/4000s shutter speed paired with a high ISO lets me freeze the motion. Only a few years ago, such a high ISO would’ve rendered the image unusable, but not today. I’m curious what technological development will be next …”
”One of my all-time favourites is the woodpecker in flight. Both the bird and the picture. The iconic, northern winter bird against a dark background allows the gently falling snow to become visible in the picture – a snowglobe moment that fills my heart with joy.”
The stoat was an unexpected treat. “I am, at heart, a bird photographer. But when a creature like a stoat presents itself, you have to take the shot. They’re fast, and sometimes even airborne, a real challenge to photograph. But I did, in the garden of my friend and fellow wildlife photographer Ville Heikkinen.”
“The conditions up in Lapland are harsh,” Markus reflects on his time hunting for Willow Grouse and Rock Ptarmigans. “The birds have adapted to survive these temperatures. They burrow under the snow, where it’s warmer, or they flock together in the winter months. I’m often out in the cold, scouting with my guide Jame Relander, hoping for a glimpse of these elusive birds.”
Spotting a white bird in a snow-covered landscape is not easy, but with time, Markus has learned to read the land and the birds. “The reward comes when the birds are focused on foraging, allowing me to work with different lenses and perspectives.”
Markus often spends time at Utö Island, the southernmost inhabited island in Finland, where he captures migrant birds on their journey to breeding grounds. “Utö is like a natural waypoint for migrating birds, and the atmosphere there is always full of possibility,” he says. “You never know what might fly in. One of my favourite images from 2024 was this Brambling in flight. It’s one of my best shots of small birds in action.”
In October, Markus travelled to Norway to photograph White-tailed Eagles. “I’ve been going to Flatanger for twenty years now. Ole Martin Dahle, who guides us, knows the eagles like the back of his hand and is an expert skipper, manoeuvering the boat to give the photographers the best background, light and eagle action”, Markus says.
The highlight came on a crisp autumn evening when Markus and his companions photographed a pair of eagles silhouetted against a full moon. “We had the perfect combination of elements: a clear sky, a full moon, and a cooperative pair of eagles. It was almost too good to be true. They perched on a sea sign, positioned perfectly between us and the moon, and stayed there for 10 minutes. It was magical.”
What about photo opportunities in his native Helsinki? “It’s not my favourite location for photography, mainly because whenever there is something interesting to photograph, there will be dozens of photographers, if not hundreds. Any notions of nature or wildlife are soon vanished when trying to photograph in a throng made of people all wanting their piece of the action. For me, a big part of nature and wildlife photography is about blending in, observing without being seen, capturing without impact.
But of course, I photograph in Helsinki too. While staying in Helsinki is more about office work and less about working out in the field, it is still good to get out at times and flex that shutter finger.
A year in competition
Markus’s competitive spirit has been a driving force throughout his career. “When I transitioned from the corporate world to wildlife photography, I started entering competitions to get my work noticed internationally. It’s not just about winning but about pushing myself to improve.”
This past year, Markus’s work continued to impress. Among other wins, he was highly commended in the prestigious European Wildlife Photographer of the Year (GDT) competition and earned third place in the Bird Photographer of the Year competition with an image of a Black Grouse. “I’ve had the pleasure of seeing my work acknowledged internationally, and each award, no matter how big or small, motivates me to keep going.”
So, what lies ahead in 2025? “More of the same. A mixture of new takes on old themes and a few new adventures along the way. Nature never stands still, and I want to continue to evolve with it. There’s always something new to learn, something new to capture.” One major project on the horizon is a book that will be released in autumn 2025. “That will be a big task, compiling and curating my work, but it’s something I’m very excited about!”
Markus’s gear picks:
- Boris IV & Boris M Camera Backpack: “I’ve been using MrJanGear bags for over a decade. They are strong and durable, and keep my gear safe in even the harshest weather. And I can sit on them while enjoying a coffee break, which is a bonus!
- The Rise Trip Pack: “When I’m on shorter trips, I use the Rise bag, which is smaller but just as dependable. I need to have gear that’s functional and durable, and these bags never let me down.”
All images © Markus Varesvuo
