Surpise Reindeer

Drive along route E6, the main north-south road in northern Norway. Keep on the lookout for reindeer near the Arctic Circle, a region with rolling, brush covered hills and few towns.

While driving past the Artic Circle in northern Norway in September, my wife and I saw two small herds of wild reindeer, the first time we had seen wild reindeer. Much to our surprise, in each herd was a rare, white reindeer. There white fur is caused by a genetic abnormality in their skin or fur. They are not true albinos since they do not lack pigmentation in their eyes. The brush in autumn colors provided a nice background for the reindeer's white fur.