I have been visiting the reindeer herders this week, to take pictures of them working with the reindeers. A great experience again of course, but when back home I need days editing pictures. So just one. This is a female reindeer followed by her calf, and the size of the calf shows that the pastures have been good this summer.
There are earlier pictures from reindeer herding and the indigenous people of Norway and Sweden in my photo collection Reindeer herding and Sami life.
Bente Haarstad Photography 
Nice photo Bente, wished I would have been there
LikeLike
Thanks a lot for your comment, John. From what I have seen, you might be there some day..
LikeLike
I was wondering when you’d catch up with the reindeer again! It’s good to know the summer pasture was plentiful, and nutritious. Lets hope it’s a good winter for them 🙂
LikeLike
Yes, let’s hope for a good winter. That means a cold one for them. If the weather varies between cold and rain, there will be ice on the ground and difficult to find food.. Thanks, Wanderlust.
LikeLike
Bente how long do the reindeer live? Bella Remy says that over in the States the deer in Shenandoah National Park don’t live much beyond five years of age, which seems extraordinary for such a large animal.
LikeLike
That depends, Wanderlust. I see on a zoology site that a female reindeer in the wild could have a calf every year until 14 yers, but usually don’t live that long. A male might live til 11 years, but often don’t live that long (they have to fight every autumn). The herders who owns “tame” reindeers live from meat production, and since it is the female that produce new animals, it is mainly the males that are slaughtered. So most of them don’t live that long at all (1-2 years), but I knew a tamed reindeer male before, he was at least 10 years the last time I saw him…Otherwise the herds live more or less like the wild reindeer, and they are genetically the same animal.
LikeLike
Egentligen är det en kuturskatt som vi har, rennäringen, men det finns ett folk i Ryssland som precis som samerna förlorar sina kulturmarker och mer eller mindre tvingas in i det moderna samhället, de sysslar ocksĂ med rennäring, fast där är det oljan som driver bort dem… Jag skulle vilja resa till norra Sibirien och fotografera dem… Ha det bra!
LikeLike
The reindeer herding is a culture that few know a lot about, especially the South Sami, since they are so few. I agree, we should treasure them more. In Russia there are very few sami, around 2000, but of course there are a lot of other indiginous people in Russia, even with reindeers, and northern Sibiria would be exciting to visit, and cold! Ha det bra du og, Maria.
LikeLike
I think this series is one of my most favorite things I’ve come across in all of the time I’ve followed other blogs…MORE, MORE, MORE please 🙂
LikeLike
So you love reindeers, Suzanne, and there will be more. They are related to your deers, but not your lovely horses. 🙂
LikeLike
I will be so happy to see more! 🙂
LikeLike
Great picture Bente!
LikeLike
Thanks, Carole.
LikeLike
Nice picture this. It’s good to know the pasture was plentiful this Summer, but I can see their ribs. Is that normal for reindeer? I’m afraid I don’t know anything about them.
LikeLike
It is not actually the ribs, Cybermum, but I see what you mean. It is for some reason a pattern in the fur, but it is not going all the way round like the ribs would. The fur is quite thick again now, and the reindeers too. At least compared with may-june, then the are loosing the thick fur and they may be more or less thin after the winter. No worry.
LikeLike
Aah, thnx for the info Bente.
LikeLike
I love your reindeer pics. Love seeing everything about the life & scenery around them. Glad it’s that time of year again. Am looking forward to seeing your photos of the reindeer herds in the snow again.
LikeLike
I might be able to post some more photos soon. Thanks, Victoria, had to do something in between (and since they were quite a lot I do portions..).
LikeLike
Beautiful! I look forward to more as well.
LikeLike
Thanks, Gunta, it might be more soon.
LikeLike
Curiosas imágenes de vida para lo cotidiano por estos solares del sur de Europa; gran recreo también.
Con mi felicitaciĂłn y agrado, un saludo.
LikeLike
contenta de que le gustaban mis fotos curiosas, Alpuymuz. Saludo too.
LikeLike
What a fun adventure ! Can’t wait to see your photos from this outing Bente.
LikeLike
Thanks, Emily, there will be more.
LikeLike
A very wonderful photo…Orofiorentino from Italy
LikeLike
Thanks a lot, grazie Orofiorentino.
LikeLike
Lucky you! They are gracious creatures.
LikeLike
Gracious indeed, Karen, and quiet. You can hardly hears their steps even if hundreds are passing by.
LikeLike
I really have enjoyed your reindeer posts. So interesting and ‘magical’ to us southerners. Can’t wait for more.
LikeLike
There are hopefully no reindeers in South Africa, Bright Life, it would be terribly warm for them. Thanks for your nice comment.
LikeLike
It must be a great experience to watch that reindeer herding. Thanks for sharing.
Ha en fin ukestart. 🙂
LikeLike
It sure is a great experience, even if I have been to the reindeer herders a lot of times. Thanks Allesistgut, og ha en fin start pĂĄ uka du ogsĂĄ.
LikeLike
Reindeer is rare animal here. So it’s very interesting to see such many them. 🙂
LikeLike
It wouldn’t be too many reindeers in Japan I guess, and yes, it is interesting to be around so many of them. Thanks, Cocomino.
LikeLike
They have certainly a special live! Thanks for dealing with us!
LikeLike
You are most welcome, Mijnnikonenik. My pleasure.
LikeLike