Thursday Thoughts

14 januari, 201614 januari, 2016 / Leya / 32 kommentarer

I’m back home again…from another journey to another country; meeting its nature, architechture and people. I feel I grow with every meeting and every opportunity I get to learn something new. On thinking back, all my life has been dedicated to learning – and sometimes teaching…

Travelling offers a great way to understand other people and other cultures, that we all know. But, do you often reflect on the ”getting to know yourself” more? Do you prepare your journey thoroughly and do you write down what you see, who you meet and what you learn from them? Maybe you are like me: Always preparing everything, sometimes in detail, and then you do not always keep a diary when reality comes along? Does the new knowledge just stay there without you documenting it?

We are all travellers, and we all travel in our own way. I used to be a writer, now I have become more of a memory photographer. Maybe a futile search for the precious moments to stay…a bit longer.

The abilty to reflect and learn is a great gift.

In fact, it is essential.

A Better Year to Come

31 december, 20151 januari, 2016 / Leya / 15 kommentarer

I hope the world will see a better year, 2016, with peace and love in heart and mind. And I hope for a joyous, Happy New Year to you and yours!

My last post this year, is from my walk in the forest today. Contemplating 2015 and what will come with the new year. The sun spilled its glory from an almost clear sky – so – what better to do than spending the whole New Year’s Eve outdoors, hiking?

Freezing cold from the start…

…with the sun trying to reach over the tree tops.

Succeeding now and then – here from the south.

We had not walked here since the last great gale, and several times the path was totally covered in fallen trees.

The untouched parts were shimmering in the low, golden sun.

Some parts remained white and slippery, and my boys had to walk slowly not to fall into the mud.

Some of my favourite ice – in Sweden we call it håris (hair ice) – and if you look closely, you will understand why. (The header picture)

Heading home again, the sun setting and the real cold returning.

2016, we do not know what lies ahead of us, we can only hope, and work each one of us to make a better world for ourselves and for our fellow passengers on this planet.

The road may be uneven, slippery, narrow, filled with obstacles…but I want to believe there is a light shining us through. Safe travels!

SL-WEEK 25: Macro

23 december, 2015 / Leya / 5 kommentarer

For Sylvain Landry – macro, frosty leaves.

4 Days to Go – Thursday Thoughts

18 december, 201519 december, 2015 / Leya / 17 kommentarer

Soon the winter solstice will be here. Much longed for, maybe more than ever this year. No snow – except for one single, great day – and many dark and drizzly days.

Here a series from one of the better days, this week in fact. Notice the play of warm and cold this time of the year. Warm colours if you turn in the direction of the thin rays of the sun – and the cold colours or darkness if you turn towards the sun itself.

One of my favourite spots in ”my” forest, is the passage between two of the grass meadows to the west. Here, Mille used to stand waiting for me by the big oak tree.

The other spot is on my way back from the open landscape to the forest path. The majestic beech trees all aglow with the last rays of the low sun. 2.30 pm.

Snow and Mist – Magle Wetlands

25 november, 201527 november, 2015 / Leya / 28 kommentarer

I left Hovdala in the best of moods, heading for Magle, the water and the birds. I imagined the strong cold and the water would make some grand mist.

Driving down the narrow road I saw the sun throwing diamonds my way…

…so, I stopped to collect them…

…and I became very rich…

And, richer I would be, further along the road – at Magle.

The mist had risen from some parts of the ponds, but at the far end – it hadn’t yet. It took me some time to get there though, as only the footprints of one single person were there before mine.

I certainly was richly rewarded. As the sun slowly warmed up the air – unveiling the ducks, swans and cormorants. A heron gliding low in the mist.

The mute swans were showing off their beauty, while the ducks seemed busy just staying warm.

I was looking for the whooper swans, but they were not there. Following the path further on, I finally found them.

Three of them were balancing on the thin ice – while finishing their morning toilet.

The bench where I usually rest, birdwatching, was not very useful today…

Looking back a last time, I realized this was the finest winter day this year. Hopefully there will be some more diamonds to collect this winter… I enjoy being rich.

Winter – One single day…

23 november, 2015 / Leya / 33 kommentarer

So, Winter decided to pay us a visit – for one day. 40 cm snow yesterday night – rain again tomorrow…I keep an eye on the weather report at least three times a day, so I knew. Clear sky today and about 5-15 degrees below zero.

Starting out early for the sunrise – very cold. 15.5 degrees below zero.

I was alone up at Hovdala, and nobody had walked the path since the snow – so I got warmed up…

I was lucky to get white frost as well, and no wind.

On walking back I decided to take the road further on instead of the untrodden path. Now the soft, pink light arrived in full splendour.

After two hours, I was heading back to my car, even if I could have stayed longer, I was getting hungry…and my plan was to stop at the wetlands at Magle as well. It took me some 15 minutes and finally some help from a kind man (whatever he did driving out here in absolutely nowhere) to open the frozen door. Unfortunately I had locked it – which was a bad idea in this cold weather. (How unused to this am I…? No snow at all last year)

I went to Magle as well – and saw the fog rising from the water, the swans and ducks slowly floating in the shimmering water, and the frosty herons flying low.

This was a magnificent day, made possible by weather gods and my year off. I’ll save the shining Magle post for a rainy day…

WPC: Monochromatic

12 september, 201512 september, 2015 / Leya / 23 kommentarer

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

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Sense of Seeing

3 september, 20153 september, 2015 / Leya / 22 kommentarer

So, there was a slight misunderstanding of Cee’s challenge…from my part. Hopefully I can repair that in the following challenges! Why not join in yourself!

Everything in Nature I love seeing – and the habits are …hiking, using binoculars and camera.