More from Nordens Ark. This is the little Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens). Also known as the lesser panda. Native in southwestern China and eastern Himalayas bamboo forests. Bamboo shoots and leaves are the favourite food. Quite small between 50 and 60 centimetres, weighing 3 to 6 kilos. The Red Panda is considered to be an endangered species. Even if the name suggests so, they are not related to the larger Giant Panda.
Even the small counts, ha de Gött!
Nature is a fantastic artist, and this time we visit the seaside studio.
We need to see each other even if we’re oceans apart, ha de Gött!
Snow, and lots of it. During yesterday evening and night it was snowing heavily. This morning I measured it to be 30 centimetres thick. I managed to get a few pictures before work.
Snow filled boots are cold and wet, ha de Gött!
Saturday we took a trip to the zoo Nordens Ark, the Ark of the North. The zoo is dedicated to preserve endangered species both wild and domesticated. At the shores of Åbyfjorden they hold a variety of wild animals large and small. Most famous for the large tigers and snow leopard. The zoo holds large areas for the animals so you’re not guaranteed to see them.
At my visit the tigers and leopards decided to sleep hidden from us, but the smaller Pallas Cat gladly posed for us. The Pallas Cat (Otocolobus manul) normally lives in Central Asia in cold areas with little snow. They weigh between 2,5 up to 4,5 kilos and become 45 to 65 centimetres long. The tail is between 20 to 30 centimetres. With its thick fur and short legs, large amount of snow will hinder it when hunting.
More cool animals will come so be sure to check in during the week. Want to find out more about Nordens Ark and their excellent work? Go to https://en.nordensark.se/ there is an English version. Ha de Gött!
Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, Düsseldorf Germany. The art museum in Düsseldorf.
Art is heart, ha de Gött!
Evening fishing on the quay in Lysekil, Bohuslän Sweden.
Sitting on the dock of the bay, ha de Gött!
I must be an optimist. Left early from work, thinking I could get some cool storm pictures before dark. The hope was that there would be an opening with rays of light in the thick clouds before sunset.
Normally there is a 25 minutes drive home, but today! All slow traffic possible was out on the roads. Swedish is a language rich of curses and swear words so after 45 minutes I think I had them all covered. Finally got home, changed clothes and grabbed my camera. Got in the car for the normally, five minutes drive to the nature preserve. Guess what! Slow traffic had all decided this was the road to drive down. They even stopped in the middle of the road for a nice chat with the oncoming slow traffic. I know some swear words in Finnish and Norwegian, so I used them also.
Now there was only a ten minutes walk to the roaring sea. Nope! After a week of rain the paths were flooded and muddy. The smooth rocks was like soaped bathtubs. Light was now fading fast as the, wished for, opening in the clouds turned into a closing. I managed to get one, yes one, decent shot and then it was lights out. Still I managed to get back to the car, without falling into the mud or break any bones slipping around on the soapy rocks.
Exercise is good for you, ha de Gött!
A merchant ship on its way to Uddevalla harbour in the salty haze from yesterdays storm. Her name is HR Pearl and she is a general cargo ship, 104 meters long and 17 meters wide. Built 2010 in Hong Kong and sails under Antigua Bermuda flag.
An adventure awaits beyond the horizon, sail away. Ha de Gött!
Bridges, they should not only do their job and connect people. They should also be aesthetic and form a landmark. I believe that Uddevallabron over the fjord Byfjorden, fulfils both criteria. Thinking I wanted to take some pictures every time I pass over it but never got around to it until today. Not the best conditions when I arrived with harsh daylight and clear sky but good things comes to those who wait.
The bridge was completed in May 2000 after almost three years of construction. With its 1712 meters it’s the second longest motorway bridge in Sweden. At its completion it shortened the travel distance between Göteborg and Oslo by 12,8 kilometres. The design is a cable-stayed bridge and the main span is 414 meters. The sail free clearance is 51 meters and the pylons are 149 meters high.
Be a bridge over troubled waters, ha de Gött!
UlleHaddock 