December 30, 2014

Norway: Blue frosty December afternoon

Norway: Blue frosty December afternoon

Norway: Close to the Arctic region the days are short, dark and cold up here in the Northern part of Europe.
As here 4pm in the afternoon as the sun has set and the daylight already fades.

Photo from Spydeberg, Norway



December 28, 2014

Norway: Mother of Pearls clouds

Norway: Mother of Pearl Clouds


High up in the stratosphere, frozen and with ice crystals within you will find those typical winter clouds.

From wiki: Polar stratospheric clouds or PSCs, also known as nacreous clouds (/ˈneɪkriːəs/, from nacre, or mother of pearl, due to its iridescence), are clouds in the winter polar stratosphere at altitudes of 15,000–25,000 meters (49,000–82,000 ft). 

They are best observed during civil twilight when the sun is between 1 and 6 degrees below the horizon. They are implicated in the formation of ozone holes. The effects on ozone depletion arise because they support chemical reactions that produce active chlorine which catalyzes ozone destruction, and also because they remove gaseous nitric acid, perturbing nitrogen and chlorine cycles in a way which increases ozone destruction.



December 23, 2014

The day God painted the sky - Winter solstice. Spydeberg, Norway

The day God painted the sky - Winter solstice. Spydeberg. Norway

At 4pm this afternoon in December - there was a few minutes where it seems as God was painting the sky in the most wonderful colors.

...and if it not was him there was some magnificent Mother of Pearl Clouds above 20-30km above the Earths Surface containing some ice crystals where the light was playing and making those fantastic light play for 5-6 minutes...


December 22, 2014

Christmas at the mountain house in Valdres, Norway

Christmas at the mountain house in Valdres, Norway

App. 3,5 hrs. NorthWest of Oslo we have our mountain house. Perfect to visit in the Christmas days. While there is little snow in Oslo, up here in the low mountains we have plenty for a white Christmas. A local farmer have plowed the road making it possible to drive right up to the door.

With no electricity we have to fire up our wood ovens for a couple of hours before the place is warm and comfy.
The lights come from our in house batteries loaded by solar panels.
 But of course also from lots of candle lights to have the moody setting up here in the winter darkness.

And then after some cold nights it is always exciting to see if the car will start (which is usually does - problems may occur if the temperature drops to under -30C (which is not expected this year)).

A Merry Christmas to all of you

Under: The small cottage for our guests


December 20, 2014

Cross country skiing in Valdres, Norway

Cross country skiing in Valdres, Norway

A fine day for skiing - the tracks are fresh, the sun is shining - simply perfect for the grandma and her two grandchildren 6 and 10 years old.  In  our country it is common for the small children to go skiing from the age of 3-4 years.

The tracks here follow along the shores of the river Tisleia - an area with some cottages and mountain houses some 3 hrs. Northwest of Oslo.

Under: Another photo along the river Tisleia


December 18, 2014

Winter river in Valdres, Norway

Winter river in Valdres, Norway

Even in the winter the trout river Tisleia is open (free for ice - due to the running water).
A ski trail along the river gives a great opportunity at such a fine winter day to enjoy the fine nature in this part of our country.

This photo from January this year - but even now in December there is some 30cm with snow up there.

December 15, 2014

iphone6plus: Along an elk trail in a Norwegian forest. Spydeberg, Norway

iphone6plus: Along an elk trail in a Norwegian forest. Spydeberg, Norway

This is what Norwegian likes: Go out of your house for a hike in a forest within 5 minutes from where you live.

Like here hiking the slightly cultivated "Elk trail" just near the big river Glomma.
Passing this point, late in the afternoon, where probably some active Beavers have felled some trees.
Or maybe it was the last autumn storm passing some days ago. Whatever; You may enjoy this option to be alone in the silent forest - still only a short way from your home.

Another example photo from my new iphone6 plus - with some PP in Corel PaintShop.

Under: The madam register the visit to the trail in the Visitor book


December 13, 2014

The off season beach at Canet de Rousillon, France

The off season beach at Canet de Rousillon, France

In the South of France it is interesting to see the empty large beach outside the summer village Canet de Rousillon in the start of the winter season.

Only some footsteps and the tracks of some passing 4-wheeler. Even the light those days indicates another season and climate for the winter days to come.

Stitch of 2 photos.  Under: The Port in Canet de Rousillon:


December 9, 2014

iphone6 plus: A cold morning in Spydeberg, Norway

iphone6 plus: A cold morning in Spydeberg, Norway

Out for a walk in the cold frost morning on way to my village. Temperature around -5C. The frost and ice is still there in the shadows while the sun slowly warms up the upper part of the field in this photo. Another sample photo from my new iphone6 plus. Another version right here:


December 5, 2014

iphone6 plus: Macro test:Frost in the forest. Spydeberg, Norway

iphone6 plus: Macro test:Frost in the forest. Spydeberg, Norway

Today another photo from my new iphone6. Impressive close up detail as the camera can focus only some centimeters from your object. Here a detail from a winter forest.

Another example here:


December 3, 2014

iphone6 plus: The water puddle reflection. Spydeberg, Norway

iphone6 plus: The water puddle reflection. Spydeberg, Norway

Another example photo from my new iphone 6 plus.

This time a simple water puddle reflection of the clouded sky...