Where the White-Tailed Eagle Meets the Otter

For several years, I, Helge Haukeland, have been working on an extensive photo and documentary film project about the relationship between the otter and the white-tailed eagle in the magnificent coastal landscapes of Northern Norway.

Since the early 1980s, I have documented people, nature, and the changes taking place in the fairytale-like landscape of northern Norway. Over these years, I have witnessed how certain predators, such as the white-tailed eagle and the otter, have once again become abundant, while many other seabird species have experienced a dramatic decline.

As a photographer and taxidermist, I have always been fascinated by both species. I encounter them both in the wild and through my work as a taxidermist in the workshop at Naturgalleriet in Os. Many white-tailed eagles brought in for preservation have died in territorial battles or collisions with wind turbines. Otters are often killed in fishing gear or struck by vehicles along the roads.

All footage in the project has been captured without the use of bait. Filming takes place in the animals’ natural habitats, where modern camera technology makes it possible to get close without disturbing them. Throughout all seasons, I have followed the otter and the white-tailed eagle in their daily lives — through winter storms, the midnight sun, and the ever-changing northern light and the white-tailed eagle, sleeping in the middle of the night,taking a little dip.

After more than forty years of observation, I have developed unique knowledge about how these species live, hunt, and interact with the surrounding landscape. This experience has made it possible to plan distinctive film scenes and camera angles. Local landowners have granted me access and permission for technical installations and camera setups.

The goal of the project is to create an intimate and visually powerful story about life, survival, and the fragile balance between nature, animals, and people along the northern coast

For many years as a wildlife photographer, I follow two species that depend on the same coastal habitats, yet live very different lives.

Through my camera, I have witnessed situations that few people ever get to see—from white-tailed eagles and otters resting and sleeping to the rich diversity of life that thrives along the coastline.

Many of the photographs are the result of long periods of observation and patience. At the same time, nature occasionally presents encounters that can never be planned. One of the most memorable moments occurred was when a reindeer unexpectedly appeared on a camera that had been set up in the otter's place. It walked up to the camera, curiously sniffed the lens and, in a way, took a photograph of itself—without a single human being present.

Where the White-Tailed Eagle Meets the Otter

For several years, I have been working on an extensive photo and documentary film project about the relationship between the otter and the white-tailed eagle.