Beautiful images of reindeer herding out of Finland

A reindeer herder out of the Lapland region of Finland has shared tons of wondrous images of reindeer, showing us their true lives outside of Christmas folklore.

Across the Northern edge of Scandinavia, the arctic Sapmi (Lapland) region is home to the indigenous Sami people. In this frozen land, the reindeer is of central importance part of the rural Sampi culture as a popular source of meat, and to pull sleds through the snow.

After college, Anna-Maria Fjellstroem returned north after for the nomadic life of a reindeer herder.

"We Sami calls ourselves the 'people with eight seasons,' and each season means different types of work with the reindeer," explained Fjellstroem. "In spring, summer and autumn, reindeer graze in the mountains close to the Norwegian border."

In September:

As winter approaches, Fjellstroem and her fellow Sami guide their herds eastward, toward the more temperate pine forests of the Baltic coast. With snowmobiles and skis, Fjellstroem protects her flock from predators. "We guard them in the winter area until the spring, when we return to the mountains before their new calves are born."

In December: