Petteri Törmänen, car mechanic, b. 1967, Kuusamo, wife and 3 children

"Nature photography is my main hobby.

This exhibition is a compilation of pictures from the Spring of 2009. The, two of my dreams came true; to follow the family-life of cranes and the courtship of capercaillies at close range. This exhibition is about the Spring of birds.

For me, Spring is "bird time" until Midsummer, when the holiday starts for a photographer. In Spring, I head to the forest on the terms dictaded by nature, light and birds (as well as my family and work). I often head out in the dark hours of the night or sleep in a hide. Sometimes I stay there for days. After the trip I work on my computer and sleep when possible.

I have gotten valuable information on locations, bird behaviour and photography in general from nature enthusiasts, other photographers and literature. Help and co-operation in hands-on organization has been crucial.

Sometimes you're in luck, as these capercaillie- and crane photographs show. They made the Spring of my life!"

Thanks to:

My family: Maire, Mikko, Jenni and Aino
My parents Martta and Reijo
For support, Hannu and Irma Hautala
For crane sightings, Timo Törmänen and Erkki Linna
For the mornings with Raimo Holappa and the capercaillies
My employer Sauli Pätsi
For the prints, Paavo Hamunen
The personnel in the Hannu Hautala Nature Protography Centre and
all who have contributed to "the Spring of My Life".

Pictures: Petteri Törmänen
Music: Kari Alajuuma
Composition: Lauri Kantola