A golden memory

A golden memory of my very dear friend. I lost him too soon. Even if the sorrow has passed the loss is always there, painful in its emptiness.

Spring was here, went and returned…hopefully to stay

Spring is here and with it the birds, the starlings skillfully mimicking their fellow birds, while enthusiastically flapping their wings, the larks’ joyous exclamation as they rise in the air, the cranes’ melancholic calling echoing from the moor, the frogs singing in the lakes and ponds. Not forgetting the fragrance, first damp forest air, then coltsfoot, followed by the rising sap of the trees and bushes. Euphoria, as life returns to these parts of the world.

The spring flowers have started to bloom too, daffodils, snowdrops, crocuses and early tulips.

It is strange to think that for just one and a half month ago the landscape was covered with a thick layer of snow on top of the deep frozen ground.

But a week ago a so called ‘setback’ arrived with 30 cm of snow and strong wind. We did our best to feed the birds that had arrived. I have never seen so many birds at our bird feeders. We tried to figure out what different kinds of food could satisfy all the species. Thankfully we have barns with cattle and sheep. This showed itself to be safe havens for many birds among them song thrushes.

Thankfully it only lasted two days. Then it melted and the spring returned. This is so typical for April here; one day spring, then winter returns for a day, telling that we live close to the Arctic. This setback was tougher than most though, the coldest in 68 years.

A sunny day between the snowy days. Is it so late in the year now, the sun quickly melts the snow. Toby is sunbathing for a while.

An old variety of daffodils, which was already growing here when my parents arrived here.

I’m happy now for the birds and plants, thriving in the damp warm spring. There are few things that fill me with such joy than to see life returning here. I’m always amazed by the transformation.. I hope both plants and animals will get a good year in all respects.

Squill, one of my favourite spring flowers.

A Frosen Brook

Some winters the brooks look as if the snow queen of Narnia had been here, and in one wave with her wand turned them into ice.

Toby and the firs

Just a beautiful moment.

Days of January

January has been dominated by low temperatures. But as always, the sun is slowly returning; the afternoons have become longer. Still the shadows are long when walking both in the morning and in the afternoon.

This afternoon Toby sat down waiting for me. He does that often, in anticipation of playing in the field.

The snow is here again

A stormy walk by the sea.

We took a walk by the sea the morning after a storm. The sea was still upset and the wind still powerful.

A forceful wild beauty, so unlike our home.

I very much like this place, especially in Autumn and Early spring.

Winter walk

At last a peaceful walk in that characteristic yellow light of winter.

The golcrests accpmpanied us in the forest, the mallards as we walked along the still lively river, and for some time we followed wolf tracks from one wolf.

To walk, breathe the fresh air, watch the low-key beauty, without demands that is for me a true rest.

Only around half past one, but the sun is already setting.

Just a visit to the cows

I went out to check on the cows. I found them in their favourite place, a hill where the wind could blow more freely. I wonder if they also like the view. I go there for both the view and for the peaceful atmosphere. Small and bigger woods are followed by fields in a pittoresque pattern which makes it special.

Treasures of the forest

The time for berries is here again. It is always with some suspense I walk the first time of the year to the old bog forest of the blueberries. With my backpack stuffed with boxes and my berry picker, I hope I will see a lot of berries, but you never know until you start picking the berries.

This year it was an abundance of berries. It is a lovely place, silence apart from the wind in the pines and small chattering of the birds. I can stay there for hours, not noticing how the time passses.

Toby settles very easily, resting among the blueberry sprigs.

But he guards att the same time, keeping an eye on the surroundings to warn me if anyone is approaching, It has almost never happened that anoyone has come when I have been there.

This year the wild raspberries are also having a lot of berries. It is a true gift to just be able to walk one or two kilometres and pick as many berries you can. Joy of the countryside