In order to make these pictures we almost had to live like Muskoxen in the mountains of Dovrefjell national Park in Norway. After we spent a day with Jens Erixon, a mountain guide who told us all about Muskoxen, Philip and I took off for the mountains.
We carried a load of photo equipment, tents and food supplies for a week. Although these prehistoric animals can be seen close to the road, we wanted to be where they really live which is deep into the mountains. In the harsh conditions of Dovrefjell they feel at home with their special coats which include long guard hairs and wool called Qiviut underneath with which they can withstand temperatures as low as -70 C.
Although the still present snowfields made it difficult to go everywhere we planned to, we wanted to be here in early june just a couple of weeks after the new calves are born in order to catch them in digital data (photo 7163).
Muskoxen are dangerous to approach so we felt very lucky having them approaching us instead at one occasion. One came as close as 18 meters by crossing a river(Photo7201) but we didn't feel treatened. She was just curious.
All together we were able to see 3 different groups and one solitairy male.
