Snowed in

Orsolya Haarberg's Image

Orsolya camped through winter storms in Norway's Dovre-Sunndalsfjella National Park to photograph muskoxen.

On particularly cold days, muskoxen conserve energy by resting. It's then possible to approach them, but if you get too close and spook them, there is a real risk of being trampled. 'For two days,' says Orsolya, 'the wind was so strong and it snowed so much that I couldn't even see the animals.' But the next day it stopped snowing, and the massive forms of muskoxen emerged from the landscape. 'It was a unique scene, and I forgot about time and pain,' says Orsolya. 'But muskoxen had more stamina than I did. I lost the feeling in my hands and feet and so was forced to leave.'


Behind the lens

Orsolya Haarberg

Norway/Hungary

Image details

  • Nikon D700
  • 300mm f2.8 lens
  • 1/2000 sec at f5.6  •   ISO 400
  • Dovre-Sunndalsfjella National Park, Norway
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