Scale of Nature

Nature is not just a neighbour to us, but part of the family. On the water or in the mountains we are never far from wildlife.

Go Wild In Grovfjord

Elvegård is a very small place set into a very large landscape, with fjords to one side and mountains to the other. From our view overlooking the jetty we are frequently treated to wildlife.

In winter we often see whales passing through the fjord, and sometimes have dolphins visit us in the fjord while cruising. Overhead the white-tailed eagles keep an eye on us. Indeed they keep an eye on most of the fjord from their height. Any small opportunity for a quick feed doesn't get past their vision. Eagle-eyed.

When people think of nature in the north, they think of the moose and reindeer. This is good to keep in mind when driving around Grovfjord. Getting close to nature is not so good when driving a car. But we have a lot more than moose to see up here.

Sometimes nature comes in smaller packages. Stoats that forage beneath the dock. Otters that feed close to shore. Lemmings, foxes and squirrels that tolerate being close to villages.

Flocks of guillemots or a gathering of puffins (locally known as lunde) are often our companions when at sea in the boat. They don't us get very close, but close enough to enjoy some photos. The Eide also raft up closer to town at the end of winter, with the fancy colours of the males on display. Even the presence of Herring Gulls or Kittiwakes are a reminder of how nature is all around us.

And there are more of them than there are of us. A single nesting site for Kittiwakes can have hundreds of breeding pairs, clinging to the cliff edge and bickering long into the night.

The wildlife in Grovfjord changes with the seasons. Ptarmigan turn white as snow during the winter, but in summer they cloak themselves in hues of brown. From a distance they look like a weathered rock. But with wings.

There are only a few months of the year when orca might come past these waters for a visit, in the depth of winter. Humpback whales don't stay for long either. Sperm whales are known to stay all year round, but are also very shy.

Any encounter with wildlife is a special experience. They are hard to plan for, but just getting out into nature on trails or in a kayak can lead to unexpected treasures. Come to Grovfjord and see for yourself.

Whales and Dolphins of Norway

Birds of Arctic Norway