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Update on the Helicopter Polar Bear Incident in Svalbard 26th April 2025

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It has taken some days, but tonight I finally received a response from the Governor’s office in Svalbard in relation to the horrific story I reported on HERE regarding the harassment and stressful darting of Polar Bears via helicopter. Since I wrote about this story it has been published by NRK in Norway as well as Svalbard Posten in Longyearbyen and several other news outlets have also run the story. It has also been widely shared on Social Media and photography websites including PetaPixel.

The response from the Governors office reads: “Hello, The Governor is looking into whether the institution has complied with all conditions in the permit.”

I have sent the following correspondence to the Governor’s office in response: “Good morning Eva,  Thank you for letting me know that the Governor is now conducting an investigation into this incident. I am preparing a paper for submission to the Governor with time-stamped photographs as well as the GPS co-ordinates that clearly shows Jon Ars’s recounting of the 3-4 minute chase is a blatant lie. The photographic time-stamped evidence is indisputable.  

I am also preparing signed letters from all 12 passengers and the Captain that were on board M.S Freya that  witnessed this event that corroborate the events that took place as reported. The 2nd mate on board also timed the event and has provided evidence to me as well.

Further to the above – there may be a case with the civil aviation authority regarding the manner of reckless high speed low-level flying we witnessed during the chase. This is a question for the CAA.

In addition to the above, questions need to be asked surrounding the fact that this chase and hunt was conducted in front of our expedition vessel without regard to the passengers who had paid to see and observe a polar bear in the wild (safely from a distance of 3km).

This is not just a question of wether the helicopter and researchers adhered to all the regulations (which I find very hard to believe given all of the above), but of the double standard being applied in Svalbard regarding Polar Bears, photographers and researchers.

Broader questions need to be asked at the highest level of the Norwegian Polar Institute about the continual need for tagging of Polar Bears (removal of pre-molars, claws, invasive use of heart and pulse rate monitors and collars on female bears). Or, is the NPI merely trying to avoid having its funding cut from the Norwegian government by continuing ‘research’ that is no longer necessary. How many more bears have to be stressed and killed by invasive sedation methods??? What is the current count on dead bears from this methodology in Svalbard? I am aware of at least two from NPI employees in recent times.

These issues need to be treated with utmost priority and I will continue to push this through mainstream media until Polar Bears are no longer harassed or stressed in the name of unnecessary science. And, until such time, that the rules surrounding viewing and photographing of Polar Bears in Svalbard are revised in accordance with common sense and applied equally to all who visit Svalbard – be it general tourist or scientist.”

What can you do to help? Please sign the petition HERE.

Departing for our Second Iceland Arctic Fox Workshop February 2025

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Tomorrow morning we are kicking off the second of our two back-to-back sold out workshops for the Arctic fox here in the far north west of Iceland. Iceland is never dull and you never know what the weather will do next with its wild freeze / thaw winter climate. Our first trip saw us start with a good cover of snow and end with a touch of Spring! With a little luck we will have some incredible conditions out in the Hornstrandir nature reserve over the coming week. Of course, we hope for lots of flying snow to capture incredible images of Nature’s greatest feat of engineering.

There are now just a few places remaining on next years 2026 workshop. If you have ever wanted to photograph Arctic Fox in winter then this is absolutely the workshop for you. We have a small group size, personal one-on-one tuition and private cabin for the duration of the trip. We pioneered this trip and have been successfully running workshops for Arctic Fox for more than ten years now to the remote north west of Iceland. What our clients say about this workshop:

“We just got home yesterday. I hope everyone had an easy journey! It was great being there and great having such a wonderful group of people. Josh, THANK YOU for all the hard work to make this trip a RESOUNDING SUCCESS (also thanks to the photo gods for great weather and our beautiful little melraaki). Thank you for your Post-processing help offer and the offer to print!!!! Will stay in touch Best to all”

“Hi Josh, you had a bunch of very kind and special people on this trip. Those stars have a tough time aligning, and your trip made that possible. Your arctic fox trip had way too many kind and special people. Not every tour leader can claim that. Looking forward to our next trip with you. You assemble and run the best tours!!!”

“Hi Josh! I just wanted to drop you a line, having taken a look at your selection of top images for 2024 – firstly, of course, they are all fantastic……but what really strikes me is that I have three almost identical ones – and that’s down to you. There is no doubt that you are taking us, your clients, to the absolute top spots, in the right conditions with the top in-field guides, then pushing to make the most of what we find. And on top of that, you are always up for last minutes in-field shooting questions and post-processing recommendations. Can’t thank you enough!”

Iceland South Western Landscape Extension Report October 2024

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In late September 2024, I ran a short 4-day photography workshop on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula on Iceland’s stunning southwest coast. This workshop was designed as an optional extension for participants from our Greenland East Coast Scoresby Sund Expedition (Read the Trip Report). It offered a more relaxed, leisurely pace, providing time to immerse ourselves in the unique geological beauty of the basalt coastline.

The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is often referred to as “Iceland in miniature” because it encapsulates many of the country’s varied landscapes—volcanic craters, jagged coastlines, waterfalls, and black sand beaches—all within a compact area. For photographers, it’s a treasure trove of textures, shapes, and dramatic contrasts, making it an ideal location for capturing grand vistas and intricate details. During our time on the peninsula, we visited several iconic coastal locations, including Arnastapi, Gatklettur, and Malarif, each offering something different for the keen photographer.

One of the key philosophies I encourage in these workshops is the importance of exploration by foot. The Snaefellsnes coastline is rugged and dramatic, with intricate basalt formations that beg to be photographed from multiple angles. Rather than just stopping at viewpoints or busy tourist spots, we took the time to walk along the shoreline with cameras ready, searching for compositions that capture the essence of the place. The basalt formations in this region offer endless opportunities for wide-angle photography and more intimate detail work. The sharp geometric lines of the basalt columns contrast beautifully with the often turbulent seas, creating the perfect scene for long-exposure photography. At the same time, the interplay of water against rock creates opportunities for capturing more abstract and fine art compositions.

• Arnastapi: Known for its dramatic cliffs and the famous basalt rock arch, Gatklettur, this location provided breathtaking seascapes and fascinating rock formations. It’s a photographer’s playground, with each step revealing new textures and compositions.

• Gatklettur: The natural arch is a centrepiece for any visit to this region, and we spent time here exploring the surrounding coastline, capturing the sweeping views and focusing on the arch as the subject in long exposures.

• Malarif: Located near the iconic lighthouse of the same name, Malarif offers expansive views of the coastline and was one of the highlights of our explorations. Here, the waves crashing against the basalt cliffs created perfect conditions for dynamic coastal photography.

We parked at various locations around the peninsula and then explored the surrounding areas on foot, both early in the morning and late in the afternoon. We photographed during the “golden hour” and stayed on location well into the sunset, capturing the changing light as it played off the landscape.

Iceland’s weather is notoriously unpredictable, and the initial forecast for the workshop was not promising—heavy rain and overcast skies were expected. However, the Icelandic gods smiled upon us, and we were instead treated to several days of ideal photographic conditions. Overcast skies created soft, diffused lighting, perfect for landscape photography. This gentle light minimized harsh contrasts and allowed us to capture the fine details in the basalt rock and surrounding landscapes.

One of the unexpected highlights of the trip was our visit to the Hraunfossar waterfalls, a series of waterfalls that cascade out of a lava field into the Hvítá River. To our delight, we arrived just as the autumn colours were at their peak. The contrast between the vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows of the foliage against the cool blues of the water and the dark lava rock was spectacular, creating scenes that were a photographer’s dream.

The Hraunfossar waterfalls are easily accessible by a nearby walking path, which allowed us to explore different vantage points and compositions without rushing. This location was a wonderful opportunity to slow down and appreciate the subtle beauty of the Icelandic landscape in autumn.

As our four days ended, we returned to Keflavik, where we concluded the workshop with outbound flights. It was a short but highly productive trip, filled with the moments that make Iceland a true haven for photographers. Each day offered something unique and memorable, from the striking basalt coastline to the vibrant fall colours. This workshop was about capturing beautiful images and fostering a deeper connection with the landscape. Walking the coastline, breathing in the crisp autumn air, and experiencing Iceland’s natural wonders up close was as rewarding as the photographs we took home.

For those looking to explore Iceland in the future, the Snaefellsnes Peninsula offers an unparalleled combination of beauty, variety, and solitude, even in well-known spots. With the right approach—tripod and camera in hand, ready to explore—you’ll find endless opportunities to create photographs that tell the story of this incredible part of the world. We will likely be offering a further Iceland landscape workshop in the future. Please contact us to register your interest.

Greenland Hidden Gems September 2024 Expediton Report

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In September of 2024, I ran my semi-annual Polar landscape expedition to Scoresby Sund (the world’s most extensive fjord system) in Eastern Greenland. This has been an expedition I have been organising, leading and guiding for more than a decade now and is one I always eagerly look forward to. Scoresby Sund is not only the most extensive fjord system in the world but also the most extraordinary. Monolithic icebergs drift like silent sentinels on gentle ocean currents set against a backdrop of precipitous glacial scarred mountains, making for surreal, otherworldly imagery. It is a breathtaking arena of icebergs unmatched anywhere on earth.

This expedition was a fly-in, fly-out trip that saw us fly by private charter plane from Keflavik in Iceland to Constable Point in Greenland. Although flights into eastern Greenland can often be delayed by weather, flying across the Denmark strait takes less than two hours and saves the better part of three days sailing in either direction across a notoriously rough stretch of water. Having sailed these waters multiple times, I much prefer to fly and spend the extra time cruising the calm waters of the fjord system. This year, we were blessed with good weather for flying, and our outgoing and incoming flights were on time.

On arrival at Constable Point, we had a quick briefing before embarking on our expedition vessel, the Rembrandt Van Rijn. Although the Rembrandt is a comfortable schooner and can take a maximum of 32 passengers, I always prefer to take just 16 and provide private cabins for everyone – this also offers more space on the decks for photography. With a group size of 16, it is also possible for all participants to utilise zodiacs simultaneously. After the mandatory safety briefings, we were quickly underway and made our way across the channel in calm seas to Vikinbukt.

In Vikinbukt, we had our first glacier sighting, several stunning blue icebergs, and six Polar Bears. Most of the bears were high up on the moraine slopes, where they seemed to feel safe to rest when not active and while they waited for the sea to freeze to resume hunting on the ice. During the expedition, as the sun set, I decided to put zodiacs in the water to achieve a sense of scale with the enormous icebergs juxtaposed against our expedition ship. These sorts of opportunities are only possible on dedicated photographic expeditions such as this and make all the difference to the final portfolio of photographs one takes away from an expedition such as this.

During the expedition, we had some extraordinary sunrises and sunsets with beautiful, soft, pastel light painting the sky and icebergs. The weather is always a mixed bag in Greenland. Frequent dramatic lenticular clouds perfectly complement the mountain peaks and stunning icebergs. We were extremely fortunate to have outstanding conditions for the duration of our expedition, with snow falling only on our very last day. We also had northern lights on multiple nights. This time of year, the Arctic tundra was also at its peak colour. Having now completed more than three dozen expeditions to Eastern Greenland, I have learned that by far, the best time to visit is September when the sun is low in the sky and there are proper sunrises and sunsets. Expeditions earlier in the season are typically lit by 24-hour daylight and blue sky days, making photographing problematic. By travelling in the late Autumn of September, we ensured stunning Arctic tundra and soft pastel light.

We had multiple photographic encounters with Musk Oxen during the expedition. On our landing at Ingmikertikajik island, we encountered a lone Musk Oxen that posed for us on the edge of a rocky prow. I always prefer to photograph Musk Oxen when silhouetted against the sky as they blend into their surroundings when photographed against the Arctic Tundra. This young male provided us with some beautiful opportunities.

Below is a map of the trip voyage and the locations we visited during the expedition. The astute and experienced Greenland travellers will note that we did not visit Rhode Island (the Red Island). Recent changes to restrictions in this area mean it is unfortunately no longer possible to visit this location (a restriction designed to avoid disturbing local Narhwales – which are still hunted and slaughtered by the local Inuit). Those of you who may have visited it in the past can rest comfortably knowing that you visited one of the most incredible iceberg graveyards on earth. For those of you who have never been there, there is always hope that restrictions will lift in the future. For this expedition we sailed around the back of Milne land, visiting the other side of the iceberg graveyard. We also encountered our first sea ice in this area in combination with some beautiful light.

Towards the end of our expedition, we made the short sail back to Constable Point, where we disembarked the Rembrandt and flew by private charter plane back to Iceland. After the short hour-and-a-half flight, we bid farewell and concluded our expedition.

Wild Nature Photo Travel will return to Greenland again in October of 2026 to lead a small group expedition to Southeastern Greenland. The landscape and geology of the East Coast of Greenland are both stunning and extraordinary. Our main objective is to photograph this incredible landscape under soft golden Arctic light. We will also see and photograph incredible castellated icebergs that have calved off the many glaciers of Greenland. Dramatic glaciers, plunging cliffs and beautiful drift ice formations will also be present. We intend to fly from Iceland to the remote East Coast of Greenland, where we will be based for the duration of this expedition. We will make day trips on our expedition boat and spend our time exploring and photographing some of the world’s largest and most spectacular icebergs. If you are excited about travelling to the remote East Coast of Greenland with a small group of dedicated photographers, now is the time to register your place by dropping us an email. Places are very limited, and once they are spoken for, that’s it.