A paradise for a wildlife photographer: Konsta’s Helsinki
Sometimes a hobby transforms into a lifelong passion and career. This was the case for Helsinki-based photographer Konsta Punkka.
Foxes, frogs, owls, and deer – each wild animal captured by Konsta Punkka seem to have their own unique personality. Discover the photographer’s favourite spots in Helsinki to immerse yourself in nature and capture wildlife through the lens.
Helsinki’s squirrel whisperer
Let’s rewind to 2011. A Helsinki bus approaches the bridge connecting to the island of Seurasaari. Off hops a 17-year-old high school student.
In his home district of Tapanila in North Helsinki, Punkka had already been photographing pheasants and hares. But in Seurasaari, he was particularly drawn to the semi-tame squirrels. By offering nuts with calm and steady hands, he found the squirrels would even eat from his palm.
Punkka is both patient and curious, qualities that help him build relationships with animals, learning their routes and routines. Time seems to disappear when he’s with the squirrels. Punkka’s photographs captured these creatures in a new light, different from traditional wildlife photography. The bushy-tailed squirrels in his images seem like expressive inhabitants of a fairy-tale forest, each with its own unique character.
Unlike the professional photographers of previous generations, Punkka shared his images for free on Instagram. His follower count quickly grew to over a million, with fans dubbing him the “Squirrel Whisperer.”
“My followers made me realise this could be my profession”
And that it became. At one point of his career, Punkka spent as many as 200 days a year abroad, capturing awe-inspiring images of lions, puffins, and polar bears. He has compiled his shots into a book, and his work has been featured in National Geographic and the BBC.
Though he still travels, Punkka is now especially fascinated by Nordic nature and the familiar wildlife of his hometown. Helsinki’s four seasons and diverse locations constantly offer new discoveries. He photographs foxes in the concrete jungle of Pasila, while the shores of Lauttasaari are perfect for capturing swans.
“I never reveal the locations of animals’ nests to ensure they remain undisturbed,” Punkka says.
These days, he resides in Laajasalo, an area of Helsinki that, despite ongoing construction, has plenty of nature. In spring, he photographs frogs at the Kruunuvuori pond.
“I’m intrigued by the contrast between city and nature. I want to show people that our neighbourhoods are home to more than just humans.”
Local nature – the most important nature?
Punkka is an advocate for conservation and the importance of local nature. Recently, the University of Helsinki commissioned him to photograph sparrows. He speaks emotionally about capturing the small birds that have been familiar to him since childhood at Helsinki’s Market Square.
“I learned from researchers that even sparrows are now endangered.”
Seurasaari: baby owl island
“It was the early hours before morning. I heard a faint hooting sound in Seurasaari, Helsinki’s open-air museum island. The sound told me I was in the right spot.
Soon, I spotted long-eared owl (Asio otus) fledglings practising their flying skills. Mostly, they clumsily hopped from branch to branch. If their wings flapped too slowly, they might even tumble to the ground. I admired their persistent commitment.
It was still dim, so I took long series of photos with a wide aperture. In one shot, a fledgling flew straight toward me. The image makes me smile – eye contact is crucial in wildlife photography, and this one is especially intense.
I spent many mornings in Seurasaari. Over the course of a week, the owls became skilful enough to soar independently through the forest. I’ve also spotted boreal owls (Aegolius funereus) in Seurasaari.”
Tip: Wander through Helsinki’s parks, forests, and manor grounds at sunrise or sunset for the best chance to spot wildlife.
Haltiala: bold foxes and surprises in the ditches
“I’ve learned that certain animals follow extremely precise routines. A vixen approached me on the edge of a field in Haltiala at seven o’clock one evening. So the next day, I arrived just before seven. I checked the light, donned camouflage netting, and lay down with my camera at the edge of a ditch.
Joggers often pass by, focused on their music, missing the animals – and me – right next to them.
Soon enough, the familiar fox trotted by. Amazingly, it stopped right in front of me and tilted its head. It wasn’t posing, though. Perhaps it heard a mouse or vole it was trying to catch. The leap it made was unlike anything I’d ever photographed before. The animal was perfectly positioned with the sunset light reflecting off its fur.
The fox only noticed me after its jump. It stared at me, ears perked, for a few frames before calmly moving on.”
Tip: If you have around four hours to spare, visit Haltiala in North Helsinki, which boasts six nature reserves. Don’t miss the Niskala Arboretum, a tree park featuring a multitude of tree species. Wander along the duckboards through primeval forest areas, where you might spot a flying squirrel, goshawk, or the rare scarce copper butterfly.
“Sometimes, it saddens me that people fear mice – they’re often seen as disgusting. Through my photos, I aim to spark curiosity about all animals. We’re all part of the same nature. This photo is from the early days of my career. I was in Seurasaari again, this time at a winter bird feeding site. From under a tree root, I caught a glimpse of a tiny creature. There were four different burrow openings in the ground. I crouched down and waited with my camera near one of the openings. It didn’t long for a curious wood mouse to peek out. The light reflected perfectly in its eyes.”
Tip: Winter photography requires layered clothing. Avoid noisy materials, and if you’ll be lying in the snow, bring a mattress!
Learn wildlife photography with Konsta
Konsta Punkka also leads wildlife photography tours. His most challenging annual trip usually heads to Greenland or the Faroe Islands. But for an easier start, you can join his weekend courses at Nuuksio National Park, just a 30-minute bus ride from central Helsinki. Courses can be booked via his website or through Polku Hotel.
If you’re looking for a nature-themed postcard from Helsinki, check out the Putinki stationery shop, where you’ll find animal cards featuring Punkka’s photography. His online shop also offers prints for your wall.
Photos of animals: Konsta Punkka
Photos of Konsta: Aleksi Neuvonen
