Seven Day Nature Photo, Day Seven – Home

4 april, 2016 / Leya / 12 kommentarer

I have been nominated by my friend Sue, at WordsVisual, to take part in a challenge of a photo per day for seven days, of anything from the natural world. And every day I should nominate a new member.

On my last day, I must tell you the truth – nothing in Nature is more dear to me than ”my own” forest. The paths I walk every day, sitting under the giant beech tree, nodding to My Old Friend when passing – in whatever costume he greets me. I may travel the world and enjoy its beauty – but This, is my home.

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Today, my last entry, Day Seven. Again, I would like to nominate all my followers and readers who love Nature and feel they can find time and joy in participating in 7-day Nature Photo. Again, my heartfelt thank you to all of you – and to Mother Nature.

Thursday Thoughts – Remember That Cat…?

31 mars, 201631 mars, 2016 / Leya / 23 kommentarer

I often have the neighbours’ cat sitting in my old apple tree, waiting to catch a bird or two. I usually chase him away – but not yesterday…

I was out in the garden, weeding and giving some new soil to my flower beds, when something in the big hawthorn tree caught my eye.

I got my camera out and zoomed in the strange bird in the magpie nests…

Not afraid of heights…hanging between the two nests…

…taking the leap across…

…and back again. But the magpies were gone – too late for the party!

Mr Stealth sat pondering the situation for some seconds…

…and decided to leave.

And so he did – as elegantly as only a cat can do.

Why did I not chase him away then? Not only for the photo series…but because I do hate those magpies. They may be beautiful to look at, but they multiply each year and they eat all my little summer birds. When they are ready to leave their houses – the magpies are waiting for them. Only for a few seconds the little ones’ eyes see this magical world.

Seven Day Nature Photo, Day Two -Head Over Heels

30 mars, 201630 mars, 2016 / Leya / 26 kommentarer

We are on the same beach as in the last post – not fast moving…but too fast for me. I tripped over the debris lying around here (As this is a Nature Reserve, nothing is to be moved) and went heavily down in the sand. Groan. Must have been fun for anyone looking…but I was alone. My right hand high up in the air, holding the camera – trying to save it from a sand burial.

All went well, but I just had to take a shot at the one who landed here before me…

Today I would like to nominate my blogging friend Pike at artkorppi to take part in the 7-day Nature Photo Challenge. She takes wonderful photos from the natural world and has a keen artistic eye, go to cityenkeli.wordpress.com to see her sketchbook as well. I would love to see what she might come up with for this challenge….. No problem if you are far too busy for this, Pike!!

CFFC: Alleys, Driveways, Parking Lots, Dirt Roads

29 mars, 201629 mars, 2016 / Leya / 15 kommentarer

I will stick to dirt roads for Cee’s challenge – one summer road (with me and Mille) and one winter road. For more entries, click here.

It would be fun to know what the English speaking world calls this kind of summer road! In Sweden we call it a ”tvättbräda” – a wash-board (translated). I guess it might have another name for you?

Cee’s Black&White Challenge: Crooked and Squiggly Lines

13 mars, 201613 mars, 2016 / Leya / 11 kommentarer

In China there are many crooked and squiggly lines – these two shots are from Yu Yuan Garden in Shanghai. More of this challenge here.

Thank you for being featured last week!

Travel Theme: Early

27 februari, 201627 februari, 2016 / Leya / 30 kommentarer

Getting up early you will often be greatly rewarded. Silence, Only You, Magic in the air.

For more interpretations of Early – click here.

SL – WEEK 34: Trees

22 februari, 201622 februari, 2016 / Leya / 34 kommentarer

Sylvain Landry. My favourite theme…Trees. They are an important part of my life. In fact…in many ways they represent Life to me. My Silent Sunday entry from my ”own” forest, should have been my entry here…but I will have to pick another one.

From the Pyrenées – a hot summer long ago…lovely hikes and my daughter in a tree.

In Between

20 februari, 201621 februari, 2016 / Leya / 17 kommentarer

Rain, sun, snow, storm, sun, rain, and snow again.

A couple of days ago we had all of this on the same day, and then – One Glorious Day. I will take you for a walk that day…if you want to!

There was heavy frost in the early morning – but the sun promised a lovely winter’s day.

Some miles from home, all frost was gone – the sun had been working hard.

Inside the forest though, in the shadows, it was still very cold. I had to put on my gloves for taking photos.

Do you remember the hair frost? This is even a whole hairbrush!

Lake Värsjön is a lake I have never visited before – and it turned out to be a little gem. Lovely paths to walk and the ice like a painting.

The sun was very strong and made it difficult to even look at the ice. No sunglasses…unfortunately. I did not know I would visit a lake!

And, I found a tiny beach – but the water is not hot here…like in Iceland. So, no bathing!

Instead I enjoyed the silence and the warmth of the sun, listening to the creaky sound of the ice breaking up.

Time to return home for breakfast – to make scones, celebrating the joy of having the rest of the morning for my son and myself.

Saturday Snow and Sorting Out

13 februari, 201614 februari, 2016 / Leya / 27 kommentarer

To my great surprise, it was snowing heavily this morning. I knew it would come…but just two days ago I heard the lark had arrived. Always the same thing – get ahead of the others…it might work to your advantage – or not.

I finished my prunings today, giving my pot plants (about 170 plants) new soil and a new life. I had a cup of coffee while contemplating their thankfulness.

Time for the dog walk – should I forget, there is one young man here who is quick to remind me…so I had better call my mother it is time to go.

A thin layer of white – and Totti is totally happy!

Suddenly his nose went into the air…

…and two deer gently sailed away between the trees.

Home again I started on the bookcases – a project I have wanted to start upon since long, but somehow never did. So many books…and so hard to sort out or throw away.

Now I must do it. These are some of my old university studies…more than 30 years old. A photo at least before they go…surely to make room for others though. How I enjoyed reading them in those days! With all my notes and translated words inside, I went through them again, sitting by the fire. But, I’m sure I will never re read them. So, Goodbye, dear friends. Parting is such sweet sorrow…

I wonder, do you have the same difficulties …parting from old friends?

Caught through the window – but not in the act…

10 februari, 201610 februari, 2016 / Leya / 17 kommentarer

There were some soft, grey feathers lying under the feeding tree yesterday. There were quite a few suspects as well: the magpies, the sparrow hawk and the goshawk. Today I spied a fourth suspect-