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/

Here’s how:

• Each month, visit somewhere and then write about your trip or describe it using photographs – whichever suits you best.
• Don´t forget to title and tag your entry ’One Trip EVERY Month Challenge’, and link back to this page.
• Display the Challenge logo on your post or in your sidebar.
• HAVE FUN!

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.