I surprised a flock of Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) as I was approaching a smooth rock to sit down and have my Swedish Fika. They took off under a lot of noise, as they usually make, and flew out over the ocean. One of the largest birds in Sweden. Originally native to North America but introduced to Europe by king Jacob II of England in the 1600.
The Swedish Fika? Well, that’s another story, so make sure to stay tuned to this blog to find out more.
Ha de Gött!
I found this giant’s kettle at Lindö. It’s approximately one meter in diameter and I estimate it to be around one meter deep. In the folklore these holes was created, and was used for cooking by the giants that in the past roamed the world. Hence the name. The giants tossed large boulders at each other when fighting. You can find these laying randomly in nature. God was angry with them and turned them into stone. Yes, if you look close, you can see them in the hills.
There is of course a more scientific explanation, equally forceful. As the inland ice shelf melted away huge rivers with strong currents was formed. When a smaller rock was trapped and started to spin it grinded down into the solid rock. These stones can sometimes be found at the bottom with a perfectly smooth egg shaped surface.
Don’t throw stone in a glasshouse, ha de Gött!
A bit of adventure this weekend to Trossö-Kalvö-Lindö. These three islands are today really one island as a result of the land elevation. Land elevation has been going on since the last ice age and still continues by 1 mm per year. There are no cars on the island but there’s a 5 km road that was built around 1930. The plans was to build a bridge over the 150 meter Havstensund strait, but with the rapid decline in population the plans was sent to the scrap bin. In 1930 there was 80 inhabitants but in 2005 only 10.
Today almost all of the island is a nature preserve. Tthe thin soil layers with sand and lime makes the flora rich. The fields are kept open by the freely grazing highland cattle on the island. The islands can only be reached by private boat but they are well worth a visit. I will share some more pictures in the coming weeks.
Among cows, watch your step. Ha de Gött!
Makes you feel small, the vastness of the ocean.
Respect her, ha de Gött!
I just love this time of year when summer is fading and autumn is knocking on the door. It’s like nature is resting from the hectic summer before starting to prepare for the cold winter.
Still there is light and warmth left before the first bite of frost. Birds fly off to the south in their perfect formations. The air becomes clear and fresh. Silence and stillness.
A little slideshow from my YouTube channel, as always with original music from my son.
Just give yourself a break, ha de Gött!
A Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) drying its wings after diving for food in the Göteborg moat. It let me come close, but not too close.
Be bold but not foolish, ha de Gött!
I continue my grass cutting theme from yesterday with my friends in the pasture outside my house. There is a calmness around cows if it wasn’t, and I think the cows agree, for the irritating flies.
Keep calm and chew grass, ha de Gött!
This little juniper bush (Juniperus communis) has chosen a spectacular place to grow. Like an acrobat it balances on the cliff, and to honour it so did the photographer to get this picture.
Sometimes there’s no other choice but to hang on, ha de Gött!
Local fisherman checking nets and traps on a hazy winters day.
The ocean gives and the ocean takes. Respect it, ha de Gött!
Geese with goslings not at all interested to have their picture taken. I think these geese are Graylag Goose (anser anser). If Mozart was a goose he would probably write a quackaphony in B-flat.
Gosh that was a poor wordplay, ha de Gött!
UlleHaddock 