Category: Neighbourhood

And soon it will be spring

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This weekend was a lot warmer than the last weeks and yesterday was the first day in March which, in Norway, is considered as the first month of spring. I like March, not only because I was born in March, but I like that the days are getting longer, the air is warmer and soon the forest starts living again. Birds are singing and the trees are budding, the snow is vanishing day by day and a walk in the forest is again possible.

Besides knitting a walk in the forest is my way to mindfulness, it has always been that way. The forest makes me breathe and my mind gets to rest from busy thoughts. Shinrin-Yoku (“forest bathing”) is used in Japan as therapeutic relaxation. It works, if I am stressed or in a bad temper a walk in the forest makes me feel much better, it gives you new energy. You should try it, if you live in the city a walk in the park will have the same effect!

Autumn leaves

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I have always loved trees and the forest. Where I grew up the forest mainly was spruce, pine and birch. But moving closer to the Norwegian coast, where I live now, oak is also common. I think oak is one of the most beautiful trees together with maple. I like to photograph the oak leaves the whole year around, its shape is so beautiful. And the branches on the tree are so elegant and gives the tree such a wonderful shape.

Now it is November and almost all the leaves on my favourite oak trees has fallen to the ground. They are still beautiful, resting on the the field covered with frost, snow or droplets.

Soon the leaves will be covered with white snow and the trees stands naked until spring arrives and gives new life to next years leaves. I am looking forward to that.

Norwegian November

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Winter can be a beautiful time with frosted leaves and and a drizzle of light snow over the green moss. But often it is heavy rain and constant lack of color. The sunrise is late in the morning and the sunset is early in the afternoon. But sometimes the sun shines and the trees covered with frost sparkles in the sunshine.

If you walk slowly and take time to notice your surroundings you will find colors or beautiful details like in the photos below. The little mushroom surprised by the first snow and a frosty night. A forgotten red apple outside an abandoned house and the ice crystals on the dry, brown fern leaves.

Winter – not yet

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It is November and still the winter hasn’t arrived here in Norway. In this time of the year we use to have temperatures below zero and it is time for snow. But we still have a rather warm autumn and in the forest there still grows mushrooms.

On Friday when I went for a walk it was 13 C and the sun was shining. It was a wonderful day. I went to a view point in mye neighborhood, the first photo. The mushroom on the second photo is beautiful even though it is getting old and fading very soon. I am not sure what type it is and if it is edible, but it could be Hygrophorus hypothejus also known as “herald of the winter”.

Under the old oak tree

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When I walk my dog I have several paths to choose between. Beside one of these paths there are some quite old trees, well I assume that they are old. One of these old trees, a spruce, is very large. I am trying to find a way to take a good photo of it, but so far I haven’t succeeded. I have tried different angles, but it doesn’t look good.

The other old trees alongside this path are two oak trees which stands almost next to each other. As they are very big it is difficult to take photos of them in full figure but a shot from beneath shows the beauty in these trees, I think. The chunky, grey log against the light green leaves is a good looking color combination together with the light blue sky above.

I wonder how old these two oaks really are?