Wildlife Photography in Helsinki: Lammassaari

For years, my lens has been focused on the candid moments of Helsinki's streets. But lately, a different kind of call has been echoing – the call of the wild. Like many photographers, I hit a point where my usual subjects felt… well, a little too usual. Helsinki street photography, while rewarding, had started to feel a bit repetitive. And when you're not shooting what you love, you're often not shooting at all. That's a trap I wanted to avoid.

So, with a mix of excitement and a touch of "what have I gotten myself into?" I decided to venture into nature photography. It meant some sacrifices (goodbye, sensible bank account balance!) to acquire the necessary gear – primarily a hefty new zoom lens and a camera bag big enough to carry it. You know what they say about big lenses, right? Small bank accounts. Dressed in my best "I'm about to land a Nat Geo contract in 2026" outfit, I set off.

My philosophy? Nature photography is just like street photography, but in the forest. And honestly, as I get older, spending more time in nature, listening to the birds, just being – that's becoming increasingly appealing.

Discovering Lammassaari: Helsinki's Accessible Wilderness

My chosen destination for this inaugural wildlife expedition was Lammassaari, a gem surprisingly close to Helsinki's city center. The name, I believe, translates to "Lamb Island," a nod to the sheep that graze on one of the islands for a good portion of the year (though they're taken away during winter).

I headed out early on an overcast Sunday. The forecast hinted at clearer skies and a potential golden hour later, but my primary concern was light. What I hadn't quite anticipated was the number of people. It was a Sunday, a pleasant +10°C after a long Finnish winter – prime conditions for everyone to flock outdoors. Lammassaari is a public space, beautifully accessible, so it made sense. My only hope was that the human presence wouldn't be too disruptive to the local wildlife.

One of the interesting things about Lammassaari is its evolving accessibility. They've recently widened the wooden platforms that lead you through the reeds and over the water to the islands. It used to be just two narrow planks – a bit more rustic, perhaps. While the increased accessibility is fantastic for everyone, I can't help but feel a little of the old, wilder vibe has been "killed," as they say. (I'll try and find an old photo to show what it used to look like!).

Despite this, the improvements include some excellent additions for photographers and nature lovers: purpose-built viewing platforms and birdwatching huts. These, along with some older viewing towers that have been around for ages, were my primary targets for the day. Even before reaching them, the air was alive with bird song – a promising sign of activity.

The Realities of a Sunday Shoot & The Learning Curve

My first stop was one of an empty bird hut. Perfect, I thought. I had it to myself for quite a while, but it coincided with the quietest hours of the day, when not much was happening. Naturally, the seasoned pros knew better and were nowhere to be seen.

As the day wore on and the light started to improve around 5 or 6 PM, the wildlife activity picked up. The distinct calls of Canadian geese filled the air. But, just as the action started, so did the human traffic. It felt like half of Helsinki decided that particular bird hut was the place to be, complete with screaming children and curious tourists. Lesson learned: being quiet in a bird hut isn't common knowledge, and Sundays in popular, city-adjacent nature spots are probably best avoided if solitude and undisturbed wildlife are the goals.

Beyond the crowds, there was the personal learning curve. This new lens needed understanding – how close did I need to be? How far could I be and still get a sharp shot? My autofocus settings also took some field-based trial and error; a bit more pre-trip research wouldn't have gone amiss there. And then there's battery life. With only one battery on hand (more are on order!), I had to be conservative with my shooting and chimping (reviewing photos on the camera screen).

But this is the beauty of this art form, isn't it? It's like fishing. You go out, spend time in nature, maybe with a friend, and even if you don't catch (or photograph) anything spectacular, you still had that moment, that escape. I’d been feeling a bit cooped up, and just stepping out the door and making the trip washed away all that "indoors-for-too-long" anxiety. Good photos or not, the experience was already a win.

Patience Pays Off: Finding Quiet and Capturing the Moment

Determined to find a more serene spot (and hopefully some less disturbed wildlife), I decided to venture further, past the point where most visitors turn back. My theory was that the second island would be quieter.

And it paid off.

In a much calmer area, I experienced one of those magical wildlife photography moments. The absolute last rays of sunlight hit a swan perfectly, and I managed to get a few shots off. I tried to reposition for a different angle, but the swan, as they do, turned its back on me. Still, I felt I'd captured something decent. Around the same time, a heron made an appearance, and being in a quieter zone likely contributed to that encounter too.

The photos weren't "Nat Geo 2026" level, not by a long shot. But for a first proper day out with new gear in a new genre? I was pretty happy. I think I might have caught the wildlife photography bug. It's a different kind of thrill, a different kind of peace.

Lessons Learned from Lammassaari:

My first dedicated wildlife outing was a fantastic learning experience. Here are my key takeaways:

• Birds are elusive targets: They're easy to see, but surprisingly hard to photograph well.
• Big lenses are heavy: My left arm got a serious workout. Gym time might be in order!
• Timing is everything: Avoid peak crowd times like sunny Sunday afternoons. Go earlier or later in the day when wildlife is more active and there are fewer people.
• Pack essentials: More batteries are a must. And definitely bring snacks!
• Embrace the process: Like fishing, the joy is in being out there, observing, and learning. Good photos are a bonus.

Wrapping Up

After about five or six hours, my battery finally gave out, signaling the end of my Lammassaari adventure. I probably could have stayed another hour with more power, but I think I’d captured enough "average bird photos" for one day! As the last light settled across the islands, I felt a sense of contentment.

It was a day of learning, of fresh air, and of successfully trading the familiar city streets for the whispering reeds and watchful wildlife of Lammassaari.

If you're in Helsinki and looking for an accessible nature escape, Lammassaari is definitely worth exploring, camera in hand or not.