The making of the muskoxen images: Moonrise at second camp, Dovrefjell, Norway.

Moonrise at second camp, Dovrefjell, NorwayMoonrise at second camp, Dovrefjell, Norway Moonrise at second camp, Dovrefjell, NorwayMoonrise at second camp, Dovrefjell, Norway

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European wildlife: Muskox bulls (Ovibos moschatus) in winter, Dovrefjell, Norway.

Muskox bulls (Ovibos moschatus) in winter, Dovrefjell, NorwayMuskox bulls (Ovibos moschatus) in winter, Dovrefjell, Norway

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Muskox (Ovibos moschatus) tracks and feces in the snow, Dovrefjell, Norway

Muskox (Ovibos moschatus) tracks in the snow, Dovrefjell, NMuskox (Ovibos moschatus) tracks in the snow, Dovrefjell, Norway Muskox (Ovibos moschatus) tracks and feces in the snow, DovMuskox (Ovibos moschatus) tracks and feces in the snow, Dovrefjell, Norway Muskox (Ovibos moschatus) tracks in the snow, Dovrefjell, NMuskox (Ovibos moschatus) tracks in the snow, Dovrefjell, Norway

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Differences in horns on muskox cow and bull. Muskox cow (left) and bull (right). The horns on the cows are smaller than on a bull. The horns on a male are much broader (closer to the nose, closer to the neck) and the two horns are closer together (less space between the right and left horn) than on a female. Note that muskoxen have surprisingly large ears. This is especially noticeable on the females.

Muskox cow and bull (Ovibos moschatus) in winter, Dovrefjell, NoMuskox cow and bull (Ovibos moschatus) in winter, Dovrefjell, Norway

How to pitch a tent in the snow

Step 1. Select a safe spot (e.g. no avalanches, shelter from strong winds) that is also relatively level.

Step 2. Check snow depth; make sure it is deep enough for the long snow stakes.

Step 3. Make the area level (e.g. use avalanche shovel) and compact the snow with your boots, snowshoes or skis. Compacting hardens the snow so the surface under the tent will remain level when you move about inside the tent. Note: it may take about 30 minutes for the snow to harden. This step is likely to take longer than any other step.

Niels Kooijman levels the tent site and compacts the snow, DovreNiels Kooijman levels the tent site and compacts the snow, Dovrefjell, Norway Niels Kooijman and Marcel Huijser level the tent site and compacNiels Kooijman and Marcel Huijser level the tent site and compacts the snow, Dovrefjell, Norway

Step 3. Pitch the tent. In our case we doubled up 2 of the 4 poles so the tent would be better able to handle very strong winds.

Niels Kooijman and Marcel Huijser pitch the tent, Dovrefjell, NoNiels Kooijman and Marcel Huijser pitch the tent, Dovrefjell, Norway Niels Kooijman and Marcel Huijser pitch the tent, Dovrefjell, NoNiels Kooijman and Marcel Huijser pitch the tent, Dovrefjell, Norway Niels Kooijman and Marcel Huijser pitch the tent, Dovrefjell, NoNiels Kooijman and Marcel Huijser pitch the tent, Dovrefjell, Norway

Step 4. Use snow stakes. These are much longer and broader than normal tent stakes. They also have large holes in them so that the snow will freeze and harden "through" the stakes; this prevents stakes from moving in the snow. Compacting the snow around the stakes will harden the snow and secure the stakes. Note: You may have to spend some time digging out the stakes when it is time to leave and pack up your tent.

Niels Kooijman and Marcel Huijser pitch the tent, Dovrefjell, NoNiels Kooijman and Marcel Huijser pitch the tent, Dovrefjell, Norway Niels Kooijman and Marcel Huijser pitch the tent, Dovrefjell, NoNiels Kooijman and Marcel Huijser pitch the tent, Dovrefjell, Norway Step 5. Dig a pit for the stove at one of the tent entrances.

Niels Kooijman digs a pit for cooking in the snow, Dovrefjell, NNiels Kooijman digs a pit for cooking in the snow, Dovrefjell, Norway Niels Kooijman digs a pit for cooking in the snow, Dovrefjell, NNiels Kooijman digs a pit for cooking in the snow, Dovrefjell, Norway Niels Kooijman digs a pit for cooking in the snow, Dovrefjell, NNiels Kooijman digs a pit for cooking in the snow, Dovrefjell, Norway Niels Kooijman digs a pit for cooking in the snow, Dovrefjell, NNiels Kooijman digs a pit for cooking in the snow, Dovrefjell, Norway

Step 6. Put snow against the fly. This prevents snow blowing under the fly, building up on the inner tent, and potentially melting if the temperature inside the tent gets above freezing.

Niels Kooijman covers the lower edges of the tent with snow, DovNiels Kooijman covers the lower edges of the tent with snow, Dovrefjell, Norway Niels Kooijman covers the lower edges of the tent with snow, DovNiels Kooijman covers the lower edges of the tent with snow, Dovrefjell, Norway Niels Kooijman covers the lower edges of the tent with snow, DovNiels Kooijman covers the lower edges of the tent with snow, Dovrefjell, Norway

Step 7. Inspect your handy work and enjoy!

Niels Kooijman and Marcel Huijser pitch the tent, Dovrefjell, NoNiels Kooijman and Marcel Huijser pitch the tent, Dovrefjell, Norway

Second camp, Dovrefjell, NorwaySecond camp, Dovrefjell, Norway

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European wildlife: Snow covered muskox bull (Ovibos moschatus), Dovrefjell, Norway.

Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) in winter, Dovrefjell, NorwayMuskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) in winter, Dovrefjell, Norway

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The making of the muskoxen images: Niels Kooyman photographing muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) in winter, Dovrefjell, Norway.

Niels Kooyman photographing muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) in winteNiels Kooyman photographing muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) in winter, Dovrefjell, Norway

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European wildlife: Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) in snowstorm, Dovrefjell, Norway.

This was one of those moments where I had two thoughts: 

1. Wow... this snow and wind makes for awesome images

2. My feet have been numb for the past 2 hours and I can't get the blood flowing... will I loose my toes?

Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) in winter, Dovrefjell, NorwayMuskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) in winter, Dovrefjell, Norway

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The making of the muskoxen images: Niels Kooyman drags his sled up a steep slope, Dovrefjell, Norway.

Niels Kooyman drags his sled up a steep slope, Dovrefjell, NorwaNiels Kooyman drags his sled up a steep slope, Dovrefjell, Norway

Niels Kooijman drags his sled to second camp, Dovrefjell, NorwayNiels Kooijman drags his sled to second camp, Dovrefjell, Norway

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European wildlife: Muskox bull (Ovibos moschatus) looking, Dovrefjell, Norway.

Muskox bull (Ovibos moschatus) in winter, Dovrefjell, NorwayMuskox bull (Ovibos moschatus) in winter, Dovrefjell, Norway Muskox bull (Ovibos moschatus) in winter, Dovrefjell, NorwayMuskox bull (Ovibos moschatus) in winter, Dovrefjell, Norway

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Marcel Huijser and Niels Kooyman haul the sleds to second camp, Dovrefjell, Norway.

Marcel Huijser and Niels Kooyman drag the sleds to second camp,Marcel Huijser and Niels Kooyman drag the sleds to second camp, Dovrefjell, Norway

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Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) in winter, black and white, Dovrefjell, Norway.

The wind was blowing hard. At times the blowing snow completely blocked our view of the animals ... everything turned white... the earth, the sky... everything.... I think these particular images work well in black and white.

Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) in winter, Dovrefjell, NorwayMuskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) in winter, Dovrefjell, Norway Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) in winter, Dovrefjell, NorwayMuskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) in winter, Dovrefjell, Norway

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The making of the muskoxen images: Marcel Huijser and Niels Kooyman drag the sleds to second camp, Dovrefjell, Norway.

Marcel Huijser and Niels Kooyman drag the sleds to second camp,Marcel Huijser and Niels Kooyman drag the sleds to second camp, Dovrefjell, Norway

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