Sunrise is the challenge of the week – and indeed…it was a challenge! I do not have many sunrises on photo. But, some years ago we went to Lake Hornborgasjön where thousands ans thousands of cranes gather every spring on returning to Sweden form southern countries. That spring, that special day, more than 16 000 cranes flew in during the early morning hours – and we were there by 4 o-clock to see them (and hear them…) coming…
It was spectacular, and something dreamed of for many years.
The last photo is from the first time we visited our daughter in Umeå – the rising sun touching the church spire, overlooking this very cold morning city.
Monochromatic for this week’s challenge – The Kelpies, Scotland.
More monochrome? Click here.
Frosty window, my home, Sweden
Hornborgasjön – and the cranes flying in the early morning
Duthie Gardens, Scotland
Mosquitos in the sunset, Sweden
After sunset, Blekinge, Sweden
I’m afraid I’m not a natural early bird – but I have learned over the years. If I know I have to go to work or catch a flight or photograph something spectacular. I will be. An early bird. I have never regretted any early morning…
Last spring we drove up to the middle of Sweden to see the cranes dancing at Hornborgasjön. We managed to find the perfect day – absolutely clear and sunny. During the following night, we waited for two hours for the more than 19000 cranes to return from their night quarters to the shores of the lake. Seeing them flying in at 5 a.m was our fantastic and unforgettable reward.
For Cee – sleighbells and wild geese are some of my favourite things.
Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels, Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles, Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings, These are a few of my favorite things.
Grandfather’s horses used these bells. Sleigh bells? I love the sound and the worn leather. We’re fortunate enough to have kept them, even if we don’t use them. I knew they were down in the cellar, and I found them in grandmother’s old rocking chair.
Wild geese and cranes early in the morning at Hornborgasjön.
Angular – two roofs and a ceiling for this challenge. From Sweden, Poland and Italy. All of them old, well preserved and very special.
The old monastery church at Varnhem, Sweden
The old Mill, Gdansk
A Roman church – we visited many…
Buildings can be serene and beautiful too – not only functional. I have chosen the glass building covering an old cathedral in Norway, and a tree building for birdwatching in Sweden. Both are new, but somehow naturally fit into their environment.
For Cee’s challenge – Buildings – Hamar, Norway, the Cathedral ruin totally under glass cover.
The bird watching centre – Hornborgasjön, Sweden.
Marianne has begun a new challenge where you take one trip every month, near or far, and take photos or write all about it. Join her here http://eastofmalaga.net/2014/01/20/new-challenge-one-trip-every-month/
I had been dreaming of Hornborgasjön since I was a teenager – being an avid bird watcher for years. But somehow we never went. Spring is a busy time of the year and Hornborgasjön is situated in the middle of nowhere. Finally, I got to see it. Thanks to my son moving to and studying in Skövde, some kilometres from this famous lake.
Parking our car – we heard them clearly – the cranes.
Walking towards the lake was a dream. The sound of the cranes was not as dominating as I thought it would be. The graceful birds were thrown out in a string of pearls along the water pools.
And more cranes were flying in …
A breathtaking 19 800 cranes were there this sunny day. Together with…
ornithologists and photographers…
…and of course children! Playing quietly when bird watching got tiresome…
I never got tired of course. Fascinating birds in a beautiful environment on a delightful morning – what more could I ask for?
Five o’clock the next morning we were back to see the birds flying in, from their safe resting places out in the lake, to have breakfast with us.
For more of my pictures, a closer view and more information about the graceful cranes and Hornborgasjön, click here.
Leya 
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