Visual Norway

Old friends - on a bench

2012-01-29T19:30:00.004+01:00

It is still January, but there was something in the air today. The thermometer showed -1 C, but it may have been these nice ladies - two old friends enjoying the view of the entrance to Bergen harbour from a neatly placed bench, that told me that there might be spring sometime this year too.

Common Crane

2012-01-20T18:02:00.004+01:00

No, it is not a bird - just your everyday hoisting machine set against the afternoon winter sky. I just like to keep things simple.

PS Have a nice week-end!

Like a worn out shoe ...

2012-01-15T14:25:00.006+01:00

No, I don't feel as bad as this old shoe I found by the waterside, practically in the water. In fact, things are looking up, and all I need now is getting back into better shape than the old shoe ...

Pneumonia

2012-01-06T13:20:00.004+01:00

The photos above and beneath show what were my daily views for a couple of weeks - looking out the windows at the back and front of our local hospital. Some of you will know that I had a very successful heart transplant some years ago, a treatment that has given me an extended life which I enjoy very much. All thanks to an unknown donor and his/her family.

But there is always a small price to pay - I'm on life-long medication that leaves me vulnerable to infections, among other things. So this Christmas and New Year had to be celebrated in hospital. I had contracted pneumonia, and in a special form called Atypical Pneumonia. In some cases it is not so much dangerous as troublesome, but for patients like me it may be another matter. Luckily they seem to have found a treatment that works, so at the moment I'm home on a "trial basis", but I'll probably have to gobble antibiotics for quite some time.

For practical purposes I had pre-posted my Christmas post - with hindsight a very wise thing to do if you end up in hospital :-) On the other hand - I have not been able to thank all the nice people who have left me pleasant greetings. Therefore I'll use this opportunity to say to one and all: Thank you for the nice comments and

A Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas - God Jul!

2011-12-23T07:45:00.000+01:00

Season's Greetings to one and all!

Mirror, mirror on the ...

2011-12-16T07:45:00.001+01:00

A reflection of my favourite star - the fairest of them all.

Locked snow

2011-12-09T08:15:00.001+01:00

We got some more snow. It was locked.

PS A nice week-end to all who passes by this blog :-)

Nailed snow

2011-12-05T19:52:00.002+01:00

We got our first touch of snow for the season. It was nailed.

Scotland through the railway-window

2011-12-02T19:13:00.006+01:00

It is comfortable to travel by modern trains, but it is not easy to get really good pictures. The train is usually moving, the subjects are coming fast and taking photos through not-too-clean windows with the sun in sight is not especially easy. But I tried.

BTW - these photos are shot between Aberdeen and Dundee. Here we are passing over a ravine. Care to dive?

The Station Hotel is an institution in the UK. This one is in Stonehaven.

The orange-coloured fields (cropped grain?) was marvellous, especially with so many rich colours in the low autumn light.

We are now stopping in Montrose, as you can see for yourself. Famous among many other things for the high steeple of its church.

The coastline was fabulous with the large beaches and the intense green fields of grass.

The Scots are a friendly and helpful people, so also in Arbroath

And even more shore beauty before we arrive in Dundee.

PS A nice week-end to all who passes by this blog :-)

How we escaped "Berit"

2011-11-29T18:38:00.005+01:00

I'm not talking about my wife, but about a storm/powerful low-pressure area that hit the coast of Norway this week-end and killing several people and causing a lot of material damage at the same time. Luckily we had booked a tour to our neighbour in the west - Scotland. So all we saw of "Berit" while crossing the North Sea was these clouds .

That made it possible for us to study gulls on a roof in the afternoon light in Aberdeen,

or watching a Christmas shopper on her way home.

Scotland is much more than Aberdeen - for instance this scenery with a light house shot through a train window on our way to Dundee.

The Christmas shopping was in full swing in Dundee's shopping centres. Someone had even left their shoes in their hurry ...

But the most decorative photo subject I found in Dundee this time, was this magnificent and famous ship, The RRS Discovery.

After the Rain

2011-11-25T15:39:00.001+01:00

Rainy weather is associated with autumn, but it has its own charm. If you look for it.

PS A nice week-end to all who passes by this blog :-)

Broken Bunker

2011-11-21T16:30:00.002+01:00

It is actually not a bunker, but more of the inside of the experimental ocean wave power station ("Bølgekraftverket") shown in my former post. Power indeed.

Broken Reality

2011-11-18T11:21:00.005+01:00

This is not a picture from a war-zone, but shows the remains of two experimental ocean wave power stations ("Bølgekraftverket") that were set up around 1985 in Øygarden, outside Bergen. They were destroyed by the waves after just a few years. The ocean is not to be trifled with.

It is calm here, but the waves broke this bridge and threw part of it a long way off and left the rest "off line".

PS A nice week-end to all who passes by this blog :-)

Inversion

2011-11-11T11:44:00.003+01:00

This morning the view towards the entrance of Bergen harbour looked like this. The ugly, purple, smoke-like structure you see in the background is due to a phenomenon called inversion. According to Wikipedia this is:

"In meteorology, an inversion is a deviation from the normal change of an atmospheric property with altitude. It almost always refers to a temperature inversion, i.e. an increase in temperature with height, or to the layer (inversion layer) within which such an increase occurs.^[1]

An inversion can lead to pollution such as smog being trapped close to the ground, with possible adverse effects on health. An inversion can also suppress convection by acting as a "cap". If this cap is broken for any of several reasons, convection of any moisture present can then erupt into violent thunderstorms. Temperature inversion can notoriously result in freezing rain in cold climates."

The pollutants causing the smog? Industrial emissions, emmisons from ships, burning of firewood and traffic, traffic, traffic ...

And is anything being done about it? So far very little that has had any effect ...

PS And despite the rather grim background, I wish a nice week-end to all who passes by this blog :-)

Autumn Colours

2011-11-04T07:15:00.002+01:00

During the last weeks we have had a couple of periods with "hot" and fine weather. Consequently a friend of mine and I decided to see if we could find some of those autumn colours that have been missing this year.

And we found some - in this kind of light even power lines become a photographic subject.

One tree still had its leaves - one had lost them. But with this kind of light ...

And of course we found a waterfall - Hesjedalsfossen (about 70m high). Much beloved by photographers in this area.

PS A nice week-end to all who passes by this blog :-)

Post No. 1000 - A small Celebration

2011-10-27T11:39:00.002+02:00

I started this blog in the beginning of 2006 to have a site to place my photos. Much has happened since the first post. 1000 posts is not much compared to many bloggers, but it is a lot more than I had ever anticipated to make. I have learned a lot about photography since then, and the more I get to know the more I find I need to learn. It has been great fun for me, and I hope that I have been able to transmit some of this to my visitors, without whom (and their comments), my world would have been a much duller place.

So I decided that a small celebratory post was in order. I found this colourful balloon stuck in a small stream while out walking in the Norwegian "wilderness" last Sunday. I feel it somehow symbolizes the purpose of this Blog.

And will there be 1000 more? Only time will tell ...

Cornerstone

2011-10-21T10:27:00.003+02:00

The bicycle is a Cornerstone of life; at least in Arendal ...

PS A nice week-end to all who passes by this blog :-)

Reflecting Beneath a Bridge

2011-10-14T11:29:00.003+02:00

We have spent part of the Norwegian autumn holiday in the city of Arendal,as charming a city as any that can be found in Norway. There are many small waterways with accompanying bridges. And a perfect place for a bit of reflection on life, the universe and everything ...

PS A nice week-end to all who passes by this blog :-)

Mirror Through Windows

2011-10-07T07:14:00.003+02:00

Few things beat shooting a side-view mirror through the windows of the car for composite reflections.

PS A nice week-end to all who passes by this blog :-)

Rhododendron in October

2011-10-02T15:13:00.003+02:00

We have had a spot of "Autumn Summer" lately, so one of our Rhododendrons (Cunningham's White) has got spring feelings. It usually blooms in May around here.

An Old Autumn Chestnut

2011-09-23T15:03:00.004+02:00

How do you like your chestnuts:
Alone on a lonely road?

With a red car passing by?

Or just with another person strolling by?

PS A nice week-end to all who passes by this blog :-)

"Sitting on the dock of the bay..."

2011-09-19T16:43:00.003+02:00

The title may not fit precisely, but I could not resist the temptation when I met these two students who had a pleasant evening at the quay while watching Hurtigruten's ship MS Nordnorge getting ready to leave Bergen.

"My" beautiful ship is burning! - Updated

2011-09-15T14:01:00.008+02:00

At 09.30 this morning the ship MS Nordlys, belonging to Hurtigruten (The Norwegian Coastal Voyage) caught fire. It happened just outside the city of Aalesund on the western coast of Norway, so that help was close at hand. The passengers were speedily evacuated, bur I'm sorry to have to tell you that two of the crew are dead and about ten are in hospital with fire related injuries. At the moment the fire (in the engine room) is not under full control, but one hopes to have it soon. The local Fire brigade, with reinforcements from other cities, the Navy and Coast Guard are assisting, as well as medical personnel, police etc. The photo above is from NRK (The Norwegian Broadcasting Cooperation), and more can be found here.

I feel I have a personal relationship with this ship: Two and a half months ago we travelled all the way from Bergen to Kirkenes with this ship. We had a wonderful trip aboard a wonderful ship (the photo below was shot at Kirkenes). In addition, it has passed beneath my windows innumerable times. It is a sad day.

Updated! The fire on the ship was luckily extinguished and all the passengers were evacuated without any large problems. However, shortly after the fire the ship developed a bad list to the port side - more than 20 degrees - due to the fire. After extensive work by competent personell, they managed to stabilize the ship. It is at present still in Aalesund awaiting repair.
I hope some day to make another trip.

At the same time I wish to thank you for all the nice comments!

Red Toadstool - "Rød fluesopp"

2011-09-14T12:08:00.003+02:00

The official name of these visual beauties are Amanita muscaria. I found them this morning while out walking, and I couldn't resist the temptation of taking a few photos. However, I didn't pick them since they are NOT recommended for eating. BTW, this is supposed to be the "grown-up" version. I thought I might start with a photo from a somewhat unusual angle.

A more usual way to look at it.

Or maybe one should look at it from the top?

According to Wikipedia, this is a slightly younger version of the one above.

Including a view from the top.

Bounty

2011-09-12T12:43:00.004+02:00

The sailing vessel "Bounty", made after the drawings of the original "HMS Bounty" for the famous '60s movie, is visiting us at the moment. She is clearly leaving an impression.

Autumn monochrome

2011-09-06T14:46:00.002+02:00

Need I say more?

Autumn Light

2011-09-02T16:17:00.005+02:00

The autumn has formally arrived, at least according to the calendar. And with September comes the Autumn Light. The evening light gives colours that is almost unbelievable to people who are not used to them. I took these shots yesterday evening.

Above is one of our "sacred" mountains, Fløyen, basking in the evening sun.

This is our currently most famous ship, Hurtigruten's M/S Nordnorge, just leaving Bergen.

This is not a church, but what is known as Corps de Garde. The name is due to its former use as a watchtower for the local militia during the Napoleonic wars, and was built in 1794.

The church silhouetted against the sunlit clouds is called Nykirken - literally The New Church. However, it was initially built in 1621, but has been destroyed by fire and rebuilt a number of times. The last destruction was during ww2.

A nice week-end to all who passes by!

The Library - A Place for Reflections

2011-08-28T11:41:00.003+02:00

The Bergen Public Library (Bergen Offentlige Bibliotek) has recently been extended and modernized. Now you can reflect there even more.

We were hoping for eagles ...

2011-08-21T19:53:00.003+02:00

... but had to settle for feeding yearling gulls.

OOPS!!!

Watching a glacier disappear

2011-08-17T18:38:00.004+02:00

The person on the bench is watching the glacier Engabreen, which is an arm of the much larger glacier called Svartisen. Since 2004 it has retreated about 100m.

On-board photography

2011-08-11T16:08:00.003+02:00

Sunset ahead!

Kjeungskjær Fyrstasjon (Lighthouse)

2011-08-07T19:40:00.003+02:00

Norway has a very long coast and has therefore many lighthouses in various size and shapes. One of the more special ones is Kjeungskjær Fyrstasjon. It is located in Ørlandet, in the county of Sør-Trøndelag. It has an octagonal shaped base, is 20.6m high and is made of stone. It was built in 1880 and was made automatic in 1987.

Do you want to rent it for a week or two? You can, here. As you can see for yourself this is a popular place to visit, and passing ships (especially Hurtigruten) are obviously the highlights of the day.

Beating Back to Basics

2011-07-26T19:10:00.009+02:00

I have just read the very touching post made by Denise Nesbitt of ABC-Wednesday. I haven't been around for a few months, but what can I do but take part again after all the nice words I have seen?

I will let the photo of this fisherman, Beating Back to Basics in his Boat, represent how we feel in Norway now: They may try to Beat us, but we will not Be Beaten. Love conquers all.

At the moment, the single most cited poem and song is "Til ungdommen (To the Youth)", by Nordahl Grieg. You will find lyrics (also in English) and a bit of background here. You will also find an excerpt of the memorial service in Oslo where this song was sung.

Today's post is an entry in round NINE of ABC Wednesday, the meme initiated by Denise Nesbitt. For more, you can log on via The ABC site.

A rose for those who died

2011-07-24T16:17:00.009+02:00

Norway is still in shock, but it is a shock that softens and hardens its people at the same time. Softens when it comes to feelings for the people that have been hit by this terrible massacres, and towards each other - hardens when it comes to the determination that the destructive will of the evil people behind these occurrences shall not prevail.

Currently 93 people are known to have been killed. Most of them were youngsters between the ages of 14 and 20, members of the Labour Party's Youth Organization. The party's symbol is the Red Rose. I offer this little rose as a small token of my support to all those who have been killed, wounded or have lost someone dear to them.

We will survive!

2011-07-23T09:01:00.004+02:00

A young man, for reasons best know to himself, managed yesterday to blow up part of the central areas of Oslo and killing at least 7 people in the process. Soon after he managed to kill at least 84 youths at a political summer camp. This was an attack from a person belonging to the extreme right - an attack on the Norwegian democracy.

BUT WE WILL SURVIVE!

Solidarity in Norway is strong. It will continue to be so. Our thoughts now go to the the people killed, hurt and their families. My family and myself has not been been hit, but as Norwegians we have been.

I will thank those who have sent me personal condolences and all those who have sent their thoughts and condolences to Norway and all Norwegians. I ask for your understanding that this is not the time to post pretty pictures from Norway.

Into Geirangerfjorden

2011-07-19T17:29:00.002+02:00

Norway has two fjords on UNESCO'a World Heritage list: Nærøyfjorden and Geirangerfjorden. If you travel with Hurtigruten in the summer season, a visit to Geirangerfjorden is part of the route.

The trip goes via many fjords, so here is just a little taste of what we saw on our way, as for instance this farm by the side of a fjord.

Or this one - more or less grabbing a hold on the side of the mountain. But still in use.

A ferry is showing the way between the steep mountains.

There are waterfalls "everywhere", and you get a free hair-wash on the deck of the ship.

These waterfalls are known as "The seven sisters" and are famous in all of Norway.

And at the end of the fjord is the little village of Geiranger.

Back Home from Norway

2011-07-16T19:46:00.005+02:00

You might wonder a bit about the title of this post, especially considering the title of the blog. But it is true: We have been touring almost the whole length of Norway - twice. Regular readers might have seen our wish to go by Hurtigruten. Now we have done it. We sailed in the above ship, MS Nordlys, from Bergen to Kirkenes. A tour that takes 5 and a half days.The ship is pictured in Bodø, about half-way along the journey.

And then we drove back home. A tour of about 3500km and which took 11 days. Far too little if one wants to really look around.

The two previous posts were of course pre-posted ... :-)

We had nice weather for the whole journey, and were constantly reminded that we were in the Land of the Midnight Sun. The photo was shot at 23:42

As Norwegians we are proud of our fjords. This is a small one called Trollfjorden. It is one of the most mysterious ones, but also one of historic importance (and the photo was shot at 23:37 ...)

A lot of people comes to Norway to get just this view - Nordkapp (North Cape) at 71° North. For all practical purposes it is the northernmost point in Europe.

But there is also an easternmost point in Norway - Grense Jakobselv. It is located some 60 km from Kirkenes. If you look closely you can see some red and green border posts. That is the start of Russia. Due north is the Barents Sea. Your next stop may well be the North Pole. (And if you ask for the westernmost point in Norway, we slept through that ...)

The only sight we visited twice on our tour was this one - Nidarosdomen (Nidaros Cathedral) - in Trondheim. It is the most important historical and ecclesiastical building in Norway, and there is no other architectural structure, ancient or modern, to compare with it. Wikipedia describes it thus:

Nidaros Cathedral (Norwegian: Nidarosdomen / Nidaros Domkirke) is a church located in the city of Trondheim in Sør-Trøndelag county, Norway. It was the cathedral of the Norwegian archdiocese, from its establishment in 1152 until its abolition in 1537. Since the Reformation, it has been the cathedral of the Lutheran bishops of Trondheim (or Nidaros) in the Diocese of Nidaros. The architectural style of the cathedral is Romanesque and Gothic. Historically it was an important destination for pilgrims coming from all of Northern Europe.

On our way home we also drove on a unique road along the Norwegian Sea called Atlanterhavsveien (The Atlantic Road). Part of it is literally in the ocean. Here we see cars passing the bridge Storseisundbrua.

But when all is said and done it is always nice to return to the familiar view of Bergen ...

A quick snack

2011-07-08T08:47:00.000+02:00

Even sheep can enjoy salty fast-food.

Nærøyfjorden

2011-07-02T09:06:00.001+02:00

Nærøyfjorden is one of the most famous fjords in Norway. At least, it is on UNESCO's World Heritage list. It is located in the county "Sogn- og Fjordane" and is easily reached from Bergen.

"M/S Nordnorge" ready for another roundtrip

2011-06-27T22:12:00.004+02:00

The name of this ship, "M/S Nordnorge" may not mean much to any foreign visitors, but at the moment it is the most famous ship in Norway. This ship is one of the eleven ships in "Hurtigruten" (the Norwegian Coastal Voyage) that sails from Bergen in the south/west to Kirkenes in the north/east. A roundtrip takes eleven days. Eleven days ago NRK (The Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation) started a unique program: they sent the whole trip north continuously - in real time - from Bergen to Kirkenes. The program lasted for 5 and a half days. And it turned out to be a gigantic success. One of the most popluar programs ever made in Norway. People met the ship in small vessels, flags were waived, crowds gathered at the ports of call with bands playing - an unbelievable experience to watch. A commentator called it Zen-TV - a reaction against the hasty and quick-and-dirty TV filled with commercials we see every day. NRK have posted an excerpt here.

Hurtigruten usually passes beneath my windows just outside Bergen every evening, so why didn't I post this photo 11 days ago? I was ready on my terrace with two cameras and three lenses. But the ship chose an alternative route out of Bergen, and all I got was a shot with the ship so far in the distance that it was not worth posting. But today I was luckier, and here she is.

I wish I had been aboard ...

Evening atmosphere by a lake in June

2011-06-21T14:36:00.005+02:00

We have now reached the period called summer in Norway. In western Norway we are south of the Polar Circle, but the evening is long, and it never gets quite dark.

It makes for many photos, but also for peace of mind. Even a half sunken boat becomes interesting.

One can ponder over the reflection of a straw in a lake.

Leaves of water lilies floating in the still of the night.

Mist starting to rise from the water.

PS Since it is now summer, my postings will be even more irregular than usual, so:

HAVE A NICE SUMMER!!!

Norwegian Wood

2011-06-17T11:13:00.002+02:00

Nothing beats nature's own design.

Have a nice Weekend!

Red and Green

2011-06-12T21:47:00.005+02:00

Two colours that go together well

In many circumstances.

Living water

2011-06-08T18:24:00.003+02:00

One fifth of a second in the life of a wave.

Gulls Galore!

2011-06-05T19:34:00.003+02:00

I haven't posted any gulls for a while, so here is a small sample.

Gulls are versatile birds. They may cruise silently along,

or they may quarrel violently with the neighbours.

They may sit contemplating on a skylight,

or they may follow in your wake.

And then they may leave - at least for a period. I'll join in the message on the board:

Thank you for the visit

Welcome back!

Toy testing

2011-05-29T09:41:00.006+02:00

Last week I bought a new lens for my camera (a Canon 7D). It was a Canon EF 24-105mm f 1:4 L IS USM (I hope I got all those letters right ...) Consequently, I have been looking for subjects fitted more for lens testing than for beauty (whatever that may be).

Since both lens and camera body are supposed to be weather and dust shielded, what could be better than to test it in a workshop? Luckily I found one open not too far off.

All photos where shot in RAW-format and developed in Adobe Lightroom 3.41. For the technically minded I have included some of the exposure data.

The one above was shot outside the workshop, with 1/80 sec, f/10, ISO 800 and focal distance 32mm (equiv 51mm)

A real dusty engine is nice. Lots of dirty details. Shot at 1/125 sec, f/11, ISO 3200, focal distance 24mm (equiv 38mm).

The building housing the workshop is an old one, but they could build with style. The windows might almost be fit for a church. Shot at 1/125 sec, f/11, ISO 400 and focal distance 24mm (equiv 38mm).

So far it looks like this lens is going to be heavily used.

Storm

2011-05-24T12:45:00.000+02:00

Need I say more?

Norwegian Rainbow

2011-05-20T14:12:00.003+02:00

Rain in front of me

Sunset behind me

Rainbow in-between

Memories from a different 17th of May Celebration

2011-05-17T01:00:00.005+02:00

Today, The 17th of May, is the Norwegian Constitution Day, and it will be celebrated in the traditional Norwegian way, as I have described elsewhere. However, last year the celebration was a bit different for my family and myself.

People from Norway will perhaps have some problems in recognizing this from the photo above. It shows the Band of the Bergen Police (Bergen Politiorkester) with their families ready for a traditional parade. But if they look closely they will see that the background is not Bergen (my home town). It is Brooklyn, New York City. And the Band was the guests of honour.

In the first half of last Century about 100 000 Norwegians settled in Brooklyn and formed their own neighbourhood. That included their own celebration of the Norwegian 17th of May. As with many other things, people have moved on and neighbourhoods have changed. But the celebration is still there and attracts Norwegians from all over the World :-)

Last year the guests of honour played the socks off all the other bands present ...

Of course there was a proper Norwegian-American 17th of May committee

For a guest from Norway it was especially touching to see this old lady putting on her Bunad and insisting in taking part.

And some male veterans seemed to have an equally good time.

The younger generation was present too.

Of course there were Speeches of the Day, but I must admit that I did not catch this gentleman's name. He was a well-known American sportsman of Norwegian extraction. Maybe some of the passers by will enlighten me?

In every way this was the most special 17th of May Celebration I have ever taken part in.

5216

2011-05-13T19:32:00.003+02:00

Some weeks ago I had to wait a while at a garage. I went looking for a photographic subject, and I found this one. It is obviously not a decorative spring flower.

Just another flower, or ...

2011-05-08T22:59:00.003+02:00

This beautiful flower (at least I think it is) is known as Narcissus poeticus, or in Norwegian Pinselilje. However, what you might not know, is that it is poisonous.
In this case, though, it seems to have a guest that is doing very well.

Green spring

2011-04-28T08:42:00.004+02:00

An old chestnut ...

Random Spring Shots (Version 2)

2011-04-24T18:42:00.012+02:00

One of "my flowers went missing". I have replaced it.

Spring is the time for work out of doors, and for once one just have to tolerate that some of the neighbours can get a bit noisy in their activities.

The weather changes for the better, and all the white stuff I could find this Easter was stuck to the fence.

In Norway the daffodil is known as the Easter Lily (Påskelilje). For once the name suited the occasion.

Other flowers also appear. I think these are some sort of sort of perennials.

This little white flower is one of the most popular spring flowers in Norway. We call it "Hvitveis". Wikipedia tells me that it is known as wood anemone, windflower, thimbleweed and smell fox. Make your own choice.

And of course, a sunset can be beautiful at any time of the year.

Yellow spring

2011-04-19T18:14:00.003+02:00

In Norway there is a tradition among part of the population to run after the disappearing snow into the mountains. I never do. I prefer to stay on the coast and watch the spring come in. Today I spotted this coltsfoot. So now I have sun on the ground as well as in the sky and all is well.

Shades of a Spring Sunset

2011-04-14T12:48:00.005+02:00

The architecture of modern shopping malls usually involves lots of concrete, glass and steel. In this one, at least, one can enjoy the visual vestiges of a vernal day.

Things look up if you look down

2011-04-04T18:02:00.003+02:00

One always feels that spring is late around here, but if you look around (and step lightly), you may see it. I saw the first crocus more than a week ago, but this is the first one that I "own". Lots of them were just "crawling" around when we visited our summer cottage yesterday.

Just like a newly opened egg for breakfast.

A fragile beauty - don't step on it!

An Italian Greeting

2011-04-02T16:46:00.003+02:00

No, I have not been to Italy for this photo, but when you are a member of a photo club, you are encouraged to take part in photo contests. Some weeks ago I entered the 15° Gran tour delle Colline in Italy. A few days ago I saw on their website that the photo above, called "Winter Sunrise", had been accepted. As you may have guessed, the subject is Norwegian - from a municipality called "Samnanger", east of Bergen.

Inverse sailing

2011-03-29T20:02:00.004+02:00

Have you ever tried to look at the world a bit up-side down?

It can be quite rewarding.

Solo

2011-03-25T12:27:00.004+01:00

My photo club has monthly themes as a way of enhancing the appreciation of inspiration among the members. The photo above was my contribution to the theme in Mars, "Solo". My interpretation might be called:

"Solo in Solitude"

Sun on the ground

2011-03-18T08:15:00.003+01:00

The sun is a popular guest in these parts of the world after a long winter. Yesterday it smiled at me from the shadow of a small bush. A bit weather-bitten perhaps, but a real smile in white and yellow non the less. It made my day.

Today we got ten cm of slush.

Ready to go

2011-03-16T19:03:00.004+01:00

To me spring begins on the first day of March, but Nature doesn't always agree with me. It has fooled us several times so far. However, today the thermometer in my car showed 10 degrees C while I was on my way to inspect how the winter has treated our summer cottage. There was still some patches of snow left, but at least this snowbell seemed ready to go.

My spring started today.

The Star of the Show

2011-03-09T19:28:00.004+01:00

In case you wonder, you are now staring a starfish right in the mouth. No, I have not started deep sea diving with a starfish clutching my camera's lens as a result. I found it "climbing" this not-so-clean plexiglass wall inside The Bergen Aquarium, which I visited the other day.

For the technically interested, the photo was shot handheld with a Canon EOS 7D fitted with a Sigma 70mm macro lens with ISO 3200, F. 3.2, and speed 1/100sec. Ambient light (halogen spots). Estimated distance 30 cm.

Foggy fjord

2011-03-03T09:44:00.000+01:00

You seldom meet a photographer who isn't interested in the effects of fog. It often both hides and reveals - it hides distracting features and it reveals simple structures. It creates a very special light that is very intriguing to work with and also an atmosphere that is unequalled to any I know.

In this case it is a bank of fog that is lifting. The sun is about to break through in just a few minutes, but the three buoys is still all that can be clearly seen.

Blogger's Block and a Buoy

2011-02-27T11:52:00.004+01:00

I have had this Blog for about five years, and now I find that I have not made a post for several weeks. Am I suffering from "Blogger's Block"? According to The Urban Dictionary, Blogger's Block can be defined as:

Inability to think of anything to Blog about.

Since I write very little in these posts, it can't be that. Sometimes it is just that one has other things to do, no photos that must be shown :-) etc etc. Lets face it: Blogging takes a lot of time and sometimes one has to reassess one's priorities. That does not mean that I will stop blogging, but that I (for a while at least) will just post the odd photo I like and skip the memes, themes and such things.

The first break in the block is a buoy I found "floating" in the ice last Sunday.

Going fishing

2011-02-04T09:42:00.000+01:00

Time for a bit of reflection ...

This is my contribution to James at Newtown Area Photo's meme called Weekend Reflections. Post a reflection during the week-end, log on to MckLinky via his site - and you're on.

C is for Canon Camera Campaign

2011-02-01T12:30:00.003+01:00

Shot with a Canon PowerShot G11 since my Canon EOS 40D Carried a Canon EF-S 10-22mm lens and I didn't Care to Change to my Canon EF 70-300mm lens.

Hello - Canon ...?

Today's post is an entry in round EIGHT of ABC Wednesday, the meme initiated by Denise Nesbitt. For more, you can log on via The ABC site.

The old shed by the seaside

2011-01-28T18:45:00.000+01:00

Ageing with dignity

Shot Wednesday on the small island of Algerøy, west of Bergen, Norway.

This is my contribution to Dragonstar's The weekend in Black and White.

Polarized reflection

2011-01-28T13:40:00.003+01:00

Do you want your reflections with a polarization filter -

or without?

Shot Wednesday on the small island of Algerøy, west of Bergen, Norway.

This is my contribution to James at Newtown Area Photo's meme called Weekend Reflections. Post a reflection during the week-end, log on to MckLinky via his site - and you're on.

B is for Bryggen in Bergen By day and By night

2011-01-25T15:00:00.003+01:00

To those who were Born in Bergen I don't have to say any more.

For those who were not, here is a UNESCO-link.

Today's post is an entry in round EIGHT of ABC Wednesday, the meme initiated by Denise Nesbitt. For more, you can log on via the ABC site.

It felt like spring ...

2011-01-23T18:55:00.004+01:00

The snow has gone and the sun is shining through the fog.

A drop of water against the blue sky

Or the sky in a drop of water

Maybe just a drop of water on a twig

Even a brave catkin is trying to come forth.

Yes, I know it is not spring yet. It just felt like it.

Z is for Zulu

2011-01-11T12:28:00.003+01:00

My Z-photo this time is for Zulu, but not for the proud people of Southern Africa, which I ought to have done. Instead it is for a small speedboat that in my opinion should have been called Zebra. I found this boat in September 2010, but I have saved it for this occasion. One can't waste a good Z!

Today's post is an entry in round SEVEN of ABC Wednesday, the meme initiated by Denise Nesbitt. For more, you can log on via the ABC site.

Hanging head

2011-01-10T13:12:00.004+01:00

The winter in our parts has been a bit on and off, with everything from very cold and much snow to mild rain and no snow. At the moment it is somewhere in between: Rain/sleet, temperature slightly above zero, very icy roads and pavements. And a new record for broken bones.

No wonder that we are doing as this left-over hip I found this morning:
hanging with our collective heads.

The snowball

2011-01-07T18:45:00.001+01:00

Fence it off

This is my contribution to Dragonstar's The weekend in Black and White.

The snow boat

2011-01-07T07:00:00.001+01:00

Boating is a summer hobby in Norway.

This is my contribution to James at Newtown Area Photo's meme called Weekend Reflections. Post a reflection during the week-end, log on to MckLinky via his site - and you're on.

Y is for Yankee Youngsters

2011-01-04T13:51:00.003+01:00

Yankee Youngsters at Ellis Island - what do they Yonder see? Maybe back to New York.

Today's post is an entry in round SEVEN of ABC Wednesday, the meme initiated by Denise Nesbitt. For more, you can log on via the ABC site.

The Magic of 2011

2011-01-02T16:08:00.002+01:00

What is this, has something disturbed our sun in the new year? Has some ring of power given us a sign that all is not well with our old friend in the sky? Or is it my mediocre photography that has offended some of the powers that be? And at one of my favourite photo haunts too.

No, don't be afraid. The New Year has not turned my head completely. It is just the effect of a circular polarizing filter pointed straight at the sun - for fun.

The year 2010 on my blog - a photo-cavalcade

2010-12-31T01:00:00.002+01:00

Twenty-eleven is getting closer and it is time to make another photo cavalcade. This year I have not picked one photo for each month, but rather chosen 15 pictures that I feel represent my experiences this year and also the state of my photography. I hope you will enjoy them - just click on the fireworks above, or here, and then start the slide show rolling.

Godt Nytt År! - Happy New Year!

X is for Xanthous

2010-12-28T10:38:00.002+01:00

"Xanthous - 1829, from Gk. xanthos "yellow," of unknown origin. Prefix form xantho- is used in many scientific words". All this according to Dictionary.com. In other words - Yellowish.

And what could be more yellowish than a rising Norwegian sun, shining through the drifting frosty haze? If you think this is a bit of a cheat, you are right, but anything to post an X and a photo. And to XXXXX with the flare in the photo.

Today's post is an entry in round SEVEN of ABC Wednesday, the meme initiated by Denise Nesbitt. For more, you can log on via the ABC site.

Glimpses from a White Christmas

2010-12-26T19:11:00.002+01:00

We have had an exceptionally White Christmas in Norway this year. We have been lucky in these parts with only about 25 cm of snow and 8 - 10 degrees C below zero. However, combined with the low sun and clear sky one has at least the opportunity to try and get some nice shots. So here is a sampling of today's catch.

The photo above is shot about one meter from my front door, catching the first rays from the rising sun reaching my snow-covered firs.

A roof may well be a roof, but sometimes things like this catches my attention.

A frosty lamp gets some lighting from the sun.

The frost shows itself as haze in the distance.

Snow and youth ...

God Jul - Merry Christmas!

2010-12-23T07:00:00.003+01:00

Et ønske for alle - overalt

-

A wish for everyone - everywhere

W is for Warm hands

2010-12-21T09:27:00.003+01:00

From a photo-project with one of my daughters, whose hands these are. And what could be warmer?

I wish all ABC-participants (and anyone else too) a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Today's post is an entry in round SEVEN of ABC Wednesday, the meme initiated by Denise Nesbitt. For more, you can log on via the ABC site.

Porthole

2010-12-18T15:36:00.002+01:00

Frosty view

This is my contribution to Dragonstar's The weekend in Black and White.

V is for Various Visual Vanities

2010-12-14T09:32:00.006+01:00

In August 2009 I joined the local photo club "Bekkalokket", the second largest and one of the foremost photo clubs (not in any way due to me!) in Norway. Last Saturday we had our Pre-Christmas dinner, and the results for this autumn's contest were announced - and two of my photos had been accepted! I was in no way near winning a medal, but you must forgive me for hosting a bit of vanity.

"Windows" - in the Projection Class
Shot in the the city of Hania (Khania, Chania), Crete.

"Bucket" - in the Coloured Prints class
Shot in the the village of Agia Marina, Crete.

The Photo Club also supplies the photos for a yearly calendar sold by the Bergen branches of the Norwegian humanitarian organization "Natteravnene". The photo below was chosen for April 2011.

"Cille Gads Square"
Shot in Bergen

This autumn I also submitted four pictures to the International "Al Thani" Contest. The photo below was accepted in the General Digital Class.

"Bunker"
Shot in Bergen

I have shown a couple of these photos before, but I hope any visitor will forgive me :-)

Today's post is an Entry in round SEVEN of ABC Wednesday, the meme initiated by Denise Nesbitt. For more, you can log on via the ABC site.

An almost natural black and white bench

2010-12-11T11:45:00.003+01:00

"Don't sit for too long"

This is my contribution to Dragonstar's The weekend in Black and White.

Time to reflect

2010-12-10T13:49:00.003+01:00

This is my contribution to James at Newtown Area Photo's meme called Weekend Reflections. Post a reflection during the week-end, log on to MckLinky via his site - and you're on.

U is for Urban

2010-12-07T07:00:00.001+01:00

Do you think a Cave-man would appreciate such an Urban Skyline?

Or would all the Urban Hubba-Bubba, people - not to mention the police - be too much for him?

Though there are Urban places where he might meet an old friend.

Today's post is an Entry in round SEVEN of ABC Wednesday, the meme initiated by Denise Nesbitt. For more, you can log on via the ABC site.

Buoys will be buoys

2010-12-03T07:00:00.000+01:00

All by themselves.

This is my contribution to James at Newtown Area Photo's meme called Weekend Reflections. Post a reflection during the week-end, log on to MckLinky via his site - and you're on.

T is for Trying To Take off

2010-11-30T07:00:00.002+01:00

Taking off - This Time!

Almost off!

I'm... flying!!!???

SCREECH!!!

SPLASH!!!

Oh, well - another Time...

Today's post is an Entry in round SEVEN of ABC Wednesday, the meme initiated by Denise Nesbitt. For more, you can log on via the ABC site.

Today's frost

2010-11-28T22:16:00.005+01:00

Gull on ice

Slow waves

2010-11-26T18:45:00.001+01:00

The fjord is covered in a soft carpet.

This is my contribution to Dragonstar's The weekend in Black and White.

Frozen reflection

2010-11-26T07:00:00.000+01:00

The beginning of a new ice-age.

This is my contribution to James at Newtown Area Photo's meme called Weekend Reflections. Post a reflection during the week-end, log on to MckLinky via his site - and you're on.

S is for Selene Shining on the Sea

2010-11-23T08:05:00.000+01:00

"Fly" me past the Moon...

Today's post is an Entry in round SEVEN of ABC Wednesday, the meme initiated by Denise Nesbitt. For more, you can log on via the ABC site.

The Old Cottage

2010-11-19T20:16:00.002+01:00

Once it was a family's castle.

This is my contribution to Dragonstar's The weekend in Black and White.

Frosty and Hazy Reflection

2010-11-19T15:39:00.002+01:00

Welcome to a bit of Friday morning sun and frosty haze on the western coast of Noway.
And may you all have a splendid Week-End!

This is my contribution to James at Newtown Area Photo's meme called Weekend Reflections. Post a reflection during the week-end, log on to MckLinky via his site - and you're on.

R is for Rust

2010-11-16T15:39:00.005+01:00

Rust is more formally known as Iron oxide, but that makes it sound so dull in the ears of a hobby photographer. It is one of the more popular subjects in photography since it has so many aspects, found nearly everywhere and can be photographed in 1 million+ different ways. Here are five of them. Above is a rusty welding point.

This is from the side of a medium sized (not well maintained) lorry.

I stepped on this iron plate before I saw that it was an excellent subject.

This is from the inside of the hull of an old steamer that is undergoing rehabilitation.

And here is from the edge of a quay (just before sunset).

Maybe I'm getting a bit rusty myself by now.

Today's post is an Entry in round SEVEN of ABC Wednesday, the meme initiated by Denise Nesbitt. For more, you can log on via the ABC site.

Windows watching

2010-11-14T07:15:00.000+01:00

What do you do when you sit in your car waiting, watching some windows in front of you reflecting other windows? You take a photo through the car's window.

Building a boat

2010-11-12T19:26:00.002+01:00

They do it in the old-fashioned way at "Hardanger fartøyvernsenter"

This is my contribution to Dragonstar's The weekend in Black and White.

Ducky reflections

2010-11-12T05:00:00.001+01:00

So - what is this little guy making all the acrobatics for?

I think he may have spotted something - not to mention someone :-)

The female of the species!

And did it work? Your guess is as good as mine...

This is my contribution to James at Newtown Area Photo's meme called Weekend Reflections. Post a reflection during the week-end, log on to MckLinky via his site - and you're on.

Still testing - rusty result

2010-11-07T17:04:00.004+01:00

What do you do when you are out testing a new camera and it starts to rain? You find somewhere to hide. I found a timber merchant's store house. And what do you do while you wait for the rain to stop? You look for a subject. I found this one.

Just testing

2010-11-06T10:32:00.004+01:00

I'm at the moment testing my new camera, a Canon 7D. During this process I among other things tried out the burst speed of the camera (8 pic./ sec). It worked very well, but at the same time I also tried the autofocus modes, auto ISO and a couple of other things. Birds are perfect for this and the burst worked as it should, but the auto IS0 gave me a too low aperture and I thus also missed a bit on the autofocus. The shutter speed was 1/1000. The photo also became underexposed, noisy and slightly out of focus. When it in addition was shot in jpg there was not much I could do and it was on the way to the bin. However, I liked the position of the bird - so here it is.