Snow Deer! The Magical Moment A Photographer Spotted A Rare White Reindeer In Norway

Less than 1% of all deer population are white reindeer, which are often referred to as leucistic deer. Besides, when it snows, it’s harder to spot a white animal like a white deer. Yet, when hiking in Norway, this fortunate photographer encountered a magic-like existence.

Source: Mads Nordsveen

Mads Nordsveen has traveled the world, capturing spectacular vistas of many wonders, but a simple, pure being caught his eyes and imprinted its presence in the photographer’s mind. One morning, he was hiking with friends on the northern Norwegian island of Senja when they spotted a little reindeer calf, white as the snow that blanketed the ground around them.

Source: Mads Nordsveen

On that lovely morning, the calf nearly vanished in the snow. Were it not for its dark eyes and bone-colored antlers jutting into the air, the calf might have looked like another snow mound.

A brown reindeer that Nordsveen believed to be the calf's mother was standing and staring at them a few hundred yards away. They sat as quietly as possible and were very calm and eventually came close to the calf. “The calf seemed a bit scared at first, but we sat completely quiet and were very calm, and eventually it came quite close,” Nordsveen, who is based in Oslo, wrote in an email to The Washington Post. Nordsveen recalled being so mesmerized that it was a few seconds before his “photographer instinct” kicked in. He grabbed his camera and began shooting.

Source: Mads Nordsveen

The baby reindeer lingered for around five minutes before returning to his mother, and the two of them disappeared into the forest. Five minutes was more than enough for the photographer to kick in his artistic instinct.

Source: Mads Nordsveen

White reindeer have an uncommon genetic mutation that strips their fur of pigment to allow them to blend into their snowy surroundings. Unlike albinos, they still have dark pigmentation in their eyes and antlers. Contrary to popular belief, not all white animals are albino. Some have leucism, a condition that causes an animal to lose pigmentation. 

Source: Mads Nordsveen

White reindeer are so uncommon that people believe they bring happiness, according to Nordsveen's source, the indigenous Sami people, many of whom herd reindeer in northern Norway. Perhaps, the lucky man would never forget the magical moment for the rest of his life. The sight is unusual enough that the Norwegian tourism board once promoted a drone video that had captured an “albino reindeer” running under the midnight sun.

Also: Meet The “Pearls Of The Black Forest” Of Germany: Endangered Black Forest Horse

On his journeys, Nordsveen has also amassed an impressive collection of wild creatures. Understandably, the more you devote to nature and wildlife, the likelier you are greeted by their magnificent creatures.

Source: Mads Nordsveen

Source: Mads Nordsveen

Source: Mads Nordsveen

Source: Mads Nordsveen

If you are fascinated by the rare little white reindeer, please like and share this article with your friends and family! We hope someday you will encounter such miraculous beings, and now, click to read more interesting pieces on our site to enjoy the moment!