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17
days ago the sun should have been back after the dark
period here in Elgsnes, but clouds and snowdrift has covered
the sun. Today it cleared up, and the sun was visible
for the first time this year. About a week from now the
sun is high enought on the sky to pass over the mountain
on the south side of the farm. And from then on, we wil
have a lot of sunshine if the weather conditions are good.
(02.14.2015)
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Today
the storm has been blowing from northwest over a long
period. And the strongest wind reached even violent storm
level. Big waves in combination with high tide makes waves
crashing over the barrier of stones that is made along
the beach to protect the cultivated land. From the afternoon
we have also been without electricity. Click on the image
to see a larger version.
(02.07.2015)
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January
28th is the first day when the sun can be seen here in
Elgsnes. If it had been sea to the south, the sun had
been under the horizon from 1th December to 11th January,
but because of the mountains the sun is not seen from
November 14th and is back today. Because of clouds on
he sky, it was not any proper sunshine down in Vester-Raten
where the sun should have been visible around 1:15 p.m.
today.
(01.28.2015)
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A
fishfarm boat passed Elgsnes this morning at the same
time as the costal steamer Richard With passed on the
way south. The previous Hurtigruten vessel with this name
was torpedoed and sank in September 1941, but it took
52 years before Richard With, the father of Hurtigruten,
got a new ship named after him.
(01.21.2015)
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Theoretically
the dark period ended three days ago, but because there
are mountains to the south, it is still two weeks until
it is possible to get the first glimpse of the sun down
in Vester-Raten. But the days are longer now, and the
southern sky is becoming brighter day by day.
(01.14.2015)
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The
tiny snowfall yesterday melted away already this morning,
so now it is snow only along the roadsides and in the
forest edges. Although we had a white Christmas, it does
not seem that the winter is much different from what it
has been in recent years, with almost no snow most of
the time.
(01.07.2015)
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Happy
New Year!
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(01.01.2015)
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Merry
Christmas !
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(12.25.2014)
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The
season for fishing tourism ends in october, but the boats
have been available until now. However, it is time to
get them to the shore and stored for the winter. Two of
the boats were taken up today, while the third boat will
have to wait until another day with daylight and little
wind.
(12.16.2014)
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It
has been snowing during the night, and at noon the snow
depth was six centimeters or a little more than two inches.
But at that hour some of the snow had melted away. Although
the maximum temperature was only 2,3 degrees above freezing
point, much of the precipitation during the day came as
rain, which contributed to the melting of the snow.
(12.07.2015)
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Although
there has been little snow in recent winters, we can't
count on it for the coming winter. Since autumn is ending
now, it's time to put down snow sticks. Regardless, it
will get frost in the ground, which will complicate the
job when there is a need for marking the road edge. In
the photo Tore is about to put down sticks to mark the
edge of the road in front of the barn.
(11.27.2014)
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Here
in Elgsnes it is no more sunshine this year, but the sun
is still shining on the mountains around us, on Grytøya,
Andøya and in the mountains west of Kvæfjord. When the
picture was taken at 1 o'clock p.m., it was sunshine only
on a mountain top in the background.
(11.16.2014)
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We
are now entering a period with a very special light. While
the sun is partly over the horizon, we get a pink color
on the sky such as this morning when the picture was taken.
In the dark period, however, the light will be blue, and
the nature will be seen in various shades of blue. In
recent years, the Northern Lights has been a tourist magnet,
while the beauty of the special light in the dark season
is underexposed.
(11.07.2014)
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Lately
it has been strong wind from southeast, but although it
was windy on the eastern side of the headland down at
Raten even tonight, it was a dead calm in the bay Vågen,
and the reflections from the roadlights created life in
the picture to the right. Click on the image to see a
larger version.
(10.28.2014)
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Usually
the northern lights is visible here late at night, but
today it could be seen already in the twilight periode.
The Northern Lights was not very powerful, but it was
light enough for the picture to the right to be made without
a tripod, which is quite unusual. The explanation for
the phenomenon was that when the picture was made, it
was exceptionally strong auroral activity over Greenland,
Alaska and Siberia, so what appeared here was probably
just some pale runners from across the North Pole.
(10.20.2014)
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It
is more frost than snow that has addes some white to the
top of the mountain on the southern side of the farm.
Nature is however preparing for the winter, and even in
the lowland forest there are few leaves left on the trees.
(10.15.2014)
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The
picture shows the old buildings in Storbakkan. The farmhouse
was originally the servantats' house in the trade station
down at Raten, and was part of the trade when Edvard Ruud
senior bought half of the property on the bankruptcy in
1881. It was then moved and established in Storbakkan.
The house was expanded in the 1930s and 1960s. The old
barn in the picture is from 1894, but was expanded in
the 1930s and 1950s. It was in use until 1982 when the
new barn was completed.
(10.06.2014)
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This
morning there was a little sunshine, and the cows thrived
on pasture. But in the afternoon it started to rain, and
then the cows wantet to get into the cowhouse again. Cows
have no problems with beeing out in in low temperatures,
but the combination of wind and rain makes them wet and
cold, so it's important that they can get in then.
(09.28.2014)
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This
morning there was snow down to the shore on the western
side of the fjord. Some of it had melted when the photo
was made, but it is a presage of the coming winter. The
positive with snow in the mountains is that the weather
then tend to stabilize. Click on the image to see a larger
version.
(09.22.2014)
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The
days are getting shorter, and the sunset is now at 7:30
PM. But still the colors are beautiful after the sunset
when September is like tonight. Click on the image to
see a larger version.
(09.15.2014)
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The
old guesthouse down at Raten is exposed for the weather,
so there is considerable need for external maintenance.
Now it was about time to get the house painted, and this
work began today. It is used old-fashioned linseed oil
paint with light English red as the main color. This is
the same color as the house had until about 1870. The
disadvantage of such paint is that it dries slowly, expecially
with low temperatures.
(09.08.2014)
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The
old wood fuel stove of the category Eidsfos Verk No. 60
has been restored, and is now in place in the large living
room in the guesthouse at Raten. Click on the image to
see a larger version.
(08.31.2014)
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After
sunshine most of the day clouds appeared on the sky in
the evening. The clouds looked like altocumulus clouds
that occurs when large masses of air rises upwards in
the atmosphere with condensation as a result. Often such
clouds are seen in front of a cold front, but it does
not match tonight's weather forecast.
(08.21.2014)
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It
was a dead calm today and the mountains of Grytøya mirrored
in the sea. Everything seems to be idyllic, but a click
on the image shows a larger version that reveals the marking
bouys of a fish farm. Fortunately the location is not
used right now, but soon it will be full speed again.
(08.11.2014)
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The
tiny otter to the right must have lost his mother, for
it has yelled with his puny pipe voice for three days
now without his mother toemerge. Yesterday evening Lorian
moved it away from the road, but today it was found inside
the silo building. Lavinia has now begun to feed it, but
are unsure of what kind of food it should get. Someone
who knows? Click on the image to see a larger version.
(08.03.2014)
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The
fishing tourists who have been here since Wednesday last
week, has had varying weather conditions. Yesterday, for
example, they could not go out fishing because of the
wind. But today the conditions have been ideal, with capture
large enough to fill the quota. For Johann Hartl it was
however special to get a halibut of 35 kg.
(07.29.2014)
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This
morning the Bahamas-registered cruise ship Seven Seas
Voyager passed Elgsnes on the way from the Magdalena fjord
in Spitzbergen to Harstad. Tonight Seven Seas Voyager
passed again on it's way out Andfjorden before heading
toward the fjords in Vestlandet.
(07.22.2014)
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Since
June 21th, it has only been one millimeter rainfall, so
the soil is now very dry. Tonight, however, there were
clouds on the sky, so it is a little hope for rain. Click
on the image to see a larger version.
(07.15.2014)
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With
27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Farenheit) in the shade,
this has been the hottest day so far. And with sunshine
from a cloudless sky, no wind and 16 degrees in the sea,
it has been a lot of people at the sandy beach today.
Click on the image to see a larger version.
(07.06.2014)
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From
three o'clock to half past five in the night it was a
dead calm, and the most ardent fishing tourists were out
already then. But even if the wind increased throughout
the day, the fishing continued. And in the afternoon Peter
Rohrbach came to the harbour with a cod of 21 kilos. The
image shows the proud fisherman with the big cod. Click
on the image to see a larger version.
(06.27.2014)
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The
cold weather continues, and the snow is far down in the
mountains on the other side of the sound. Even the steep
mountain in the picture where there is almost no snow
in winter, has got white color on the upper part. Click
on the image to see a panoramic version of Grytøya seen
from Raten.
(06.19.2014)
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Half
an hour past midnight there was an unusually nice rainbow
over the mountain south of the farm. It is said that where
the rainbow ends, there is a jar full of gold. But since
the rainbow ends on the old barn at Storbakkan, there
is little reason to believe the rumor. Agriculture has
never been a goldmine, and even less with the current
regime in the agricultural ministry. Click on the image
to see a larger version.
(06.12.2014)
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When
the main building at the trade station Raten was built
in 1723, almost all communication was on the sea. And
Elgsnes was in the middle of an intersection by modern
terminology. It was therefore important that the main
building looked great from the sea. Although the economy
could be up and down, it was important to signal power
and wealth to the common people and to other trade stations
in the area. Click on image to see a larger version.
(06.01.2014)
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Today
it has been sunshine from a cloudless sky, and since there
are no clouds on the horizon to the north at midnight,
the midnight sun is shining at this time of year. But
wind from northeast reduced the reflection of the sunbeams
from the sea. Click on the image to the right to see a
larger version.
(05.25.2014)
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This
morning we hoisted the Norwegian flag down at Raten, at
Ebergplassen and at Storbakkan because it is our constitutional
day and the 200th anniversary of the Constitution. The
wind increased, however, from southsouthwest, a wind direction
which provides sudden gusts here in Elgsnes, and the big
flag at Ebergplassen blew down. Flag hooks made by nylon
is obviously not designed for northern Norwegian weather.
Also at Storbakkan the usual flag had to be replaced by
a storm flag, see picture to the right. Click on the image
to see a larger version.
(05.17.2014)
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The
gangway from the floating stage in the harbour was too
steep at low tide. Previously we have added steps to prevent
sliding, but to make it even more convenient, the gangway
is now extended. Since this week has a few days without
tourists in the guesthouse, the work had to be done now.
In the photo Tore about to drill one of the 130 holes
that were needed to implement the extension from 6,8 to
9.0 meters.
(05.08.2014)
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In
the spring we have three periods of bad weather and percipitation,
usually as snow. It is at Easter time, around May 1st
and finally at Whitsun time. So according to this, it
seems that spring is on track.
(04.30.2014)
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From
yesterday's stormy weather, the wind calmed down. And
throughout the day it cleared up. When the picture to
the right was made in the afternoon, it was breeze and
sunshine. But like this the weather is here in the north
- always changing.
(04.23.2014)
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Today
we have had a gale from northwest. According to the weather
forecast the wind is caused by a polar low pressure that
should get weaker when it came to the coast. And the unusually
large waves tells us that the wind has been a lot stronger
out on sea. Click on the image to see a larger version.
(04.15.2014)
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The
cultivated meadows here in Elgsnes are now so overgrazed
by reindeers from Kongsvikdalen reindeer district that
the reindeers now eats anything to lessen the hunger,
like gardening flowers or withered grass by Normangården,
the tourist house down at Raten. The reindeer have also
left "business cards" in front of the entrance to the
house, which has to be removed before the tourists arrive
in about a week. Click on the image to see a larger version.
(04.09.2014)
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Almost
all winter the low-pressure areas have passed south of
us, and we have had remarkably nice weather. But now the
depressions are waiting in line to catch up. So today
there has been a gale from northwest with snow. But the
wind is probably stronger out on the open sea, because
the waves are bigger than the wind speed should indicate.
Click on the image to see a larger version.
(04.02.2014)
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This
morning the temperature went up to as much as 9 degrees
Celsius. Later the southwest wind increased, and the temperature
dropped. But wind from southwest also means rain, and
the small amount of snow melted quickly. So by the end
of the day, there will hardly be any snow left.
(03.26.2014)
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It's
quiet in the harbor. It is still a month till the first
tourists arrive, but there is a great deal to be done
before that time. After the wood of the floating stage
sucked water, it is too low on the sea. It must therefore
be inserted multiple barrels to provide sufficient buoyancy.
And the gangway proved to be too steep at low tide, so
it should be extended. But for this work there is a need
for calm sea all day, not only by sunset time like today.
Click on the image to view a panoramic version.
(03.18.2014)
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"Mach
is a snow month", the old people used to say. It is true
that March seems to be a month with a lot of percipitation,
but it is raining no matter which direction the wind is
coming from. In recent years, there has been no real winter
before the new year, but this winter the snow came in
October and November. And from the beginning of December
there has hardly been any snow.
(03.11.2014)
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The
nice weather with sunshine from a cloudless sky continues,
and we have even had a new moon without any weather change.
But now meteorologists are telling us that the weather
will become more windy and rainy. The photo shows the
view from the farm to the guest house on the other side
of the bay with the tiny village Dale on Grytøya in the
background. Click on the image to see a larger version.
(03.04.2014)
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The
mild weather continues with southwesterly winds and rain.
An opening between the clouds gave us a moment with sunshine
and a nice rainbow over the chapel here in Elgsnes. Click
on the image to see a larger version.
(02.25.2014)
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After
very low rainfall in January and till now in February,
there were a few snowflakes last night. But the precipitation
changed to rain today, so the snow melted away once again.
Although one would expect snow covered fields at this
time of year, it is nevertheless good to have some rain,
because it was so dry now that only a spark could start
a big fire.
(02.17.2014)
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After
the sunset in the afternoon there were beautiful colors
on the southwest sky. In the past it was said that a red
evening means a good morning. I wonder if it also applies
when sunset occurs early in the afternoon? Tomorrow will
show. Click on the image to view a larger panoramic version.
(02.09.2014)
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After
a long period without any percepitation, we finally got
some rain. It was now so dry that it was totally forbidden
to make a fire outdoor, but more rain is probably needed
before the ban can be lifted. Reports of fires on the
coast of Trøndelag gives cause for extra caution.
(02.03.2014)
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The
sun has been shining on Grytlandet for a while now, while
Elgsnes which is north facing, still is in shadow. But
now iit is only one more day before we once again can
see the sun down in Vester-Raten. The premise is that
there are no clouds on the southwest sky tomorrow afternoon.
(01.27.2014)
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There
is little left of the thin layer with snow from four days
ago. White is still the main color on the fields, but
the grass is more visible. And although the temperature
is only four degrees below freezing point, the wind feels
cold and nipping.
(01.17.2014)
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Wind
from northeast made the temperature fall below the freezing
point. But it is no help in that when around thirty reindeers
are destroying the meadows. Click on the image to see
a larger version.
(01.09.2014)
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Happy
New Year!
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(01.01.2014)
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2013
has come to an end. During the year, there has been 103,291
visits with 595,889 page views on elgsnes.no. It is 12.3%
more visits and 117.0% more page views than in 2012. The
average in 2013 was 283 visits and 1,633 pageviews per
day. The lowest number of visitors was 28th January with
only 30 visitors, while the highest was 23th December
with 1437 visits. Thank you to everyone who has followed
elgsnes.no in 2013!
(12.31.2013)
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Merry
Christmas !
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(12.25.2013)
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There
are four days till winter solstice, and without snow on
the ground, there is no bright surfaces that can reflect
the faint sky light. Therefore, it is only a short periode
from the time when the photocell is switching off the
road lights till twilight arrives, and the lights turnes
on again. Fortunately, the full moon lights up the landscape
now when it is needed. Click on the image to see a larger
version.
(12.17.2014)
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This
is not only the blue twighlight season, but when there
is a clear sky like today, the northern firmament gets
a pink cast, which also provide special colour shades
in the landscape. Those who claim that the dark period
is black and awkward, should take the time to admire the
beautiful colors nature has to offer only at this time
of year. Click on the image to see a larger version.
(12.09.2014)
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Northern
Norway is known for the midnight sun and is about to be
known also for the northern lights. But the very special
blue light that we have in the dark period, shoule also
be marketed. Although we do not appreciate to stumble
around in the twilight, people who come from outside,
tells us that the light is very special and wonderful.
And one thing is shure, the blue light is not volatile
as the northern lights, we have it here every day!
(11.30.2013)
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Normally
this is the most stormy period of the year. But in recent
years there has been less November storms than what it
used to be some years ago. But today we were reminded
of the weather we used to have back in the fifties and
sixties. Click on the image to see a larger version.
(11.24.2013)
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When
it is cloudy like today, the twighlight starts early in
the afternoon. The picture to the right was taken at 4
o'clock pm, and then it was already necessary to use a
tripod. The landscape in the background is vague because
of the darkness, while the foreground is lit by an outside
light down by the boathouse.
(11.14.2013)
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It
is a pale sunshine on the the mountain tops of the island
Andøya. But the days are getting shorter, and now
it's only about a week left before the sun disappears
here in Elgsnes. After that, we can seer the reflections
from the mountains around us for a few days. When even
that period is over, we can start counting the number
of days until the sun returns from under the horizon.
(11.07.2013)
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There
is still a golden sky over the mountains at twilight time,
but the blue is becoming more prominent. This is something
that happens every year at this time, independent of the
party color of your government. Click on the image to
see a larger version.
(10.28.2013)
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This
is how the weather can be up north: From a fine autumn
weather last Sunday to storm mid-week, sunshine and hardly
any wind yesterday, and then full winter today. When the
picture on the right was taken in the afternoon, it snowed
so much that the houses i the background can only be glimpsed
through the drifting snow.
(10.18.2013)
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This
year all agricultural work was delayed because most of
May was spent to make the tourist resort ready for the
guests. The delay continued throughout the year, so last
grass harvesting was made today. It is about time, although
we have had a great autumn, we can expect more wintry
conditions at any time. At least there will be more rainfall,
because there has already been a warning about the risk
of flooding.
(10.10.2013)
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It
is a long time since there was light in all the rooms
of the main building in the old trade station Raten. Probably
this was in the station's days of prosperity more than
150 years ago. But at that time the light cam from a lamp
or a candle. And the only outside light was at that time
when the barn lantern was brought across the yard. Click
on the image to see a larger version.
(10.03.2013)
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It
is not easy to be a young seagull and always come up short
in the battle for food, either the older gulls are faster
and more agile, or they brutally chase the young ones
away. So the young seagulls must instead overcome their
natural fear of humans and ask nicely for the guts of
the fish. The heartbreaker in the picture was therefore
served food in the boat, much to the annoyance of the
adult gulls that did not dare to come so close. Click
on the image to see a larger version.
(09.23.2013)
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The
sun is ever lower in the sky, and already at half passed
three PM the barn made long shadows on the ground. But
the weather is still creditable with a maximum temperature
today of 15,3 degrees Celsius (59,5 degrees Farenheit).
(09.18.2013)
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The
cows are enjoying to be out in the sunshine, and eating
fresh grass while waving away flies with the tail. They
are luckily unavare of the major agricultural political
changes that can come as a result of today's election.
Although the Conservatives have tried to reassure farmers,
the Conservatives and particularly the Progress Party's
alternative agricultural budgets of recent years are frightening
readings.
(09.09.2013)
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When
the Hurtigruten ship Richard With was heading over Andfjorden
this morning, there was a solid cloud cover. And a rain
squall was hiding Andøya on the other side of the
fjord. But a hole in the clouds on the southern sky made
the ship bathed in sunlight against a dark background.
Click on the image to see a larger version.
(08.29.2013)
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From
the sea Elgsnes looks like a green oasis. And for those
entering by road, it must also be beautiful cultural landscape.
But there is no guarantee that this will remain in the
future. Already in the beginning of September we risk
a dramatic shift in agricultural policy that will eventually
lead to the closure of large parts of then agriculture
in norwegian districts.
(08.18.2013)
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The
clouds and fog from this morning vanished, and again it
was a great day with sunshine. But as usual on a sunny
day, the cold wind from the north emerged in the afternoon.
Click on the image to view a larger panorama version of
Elgsnes.
(08.11.2013)
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The
drought earlier this summer made the grass withering in
mountainous areas. But the bluebells (Campanula rotundifolia)
were not damaged, and with the competitors out of the
way, they could grow rampant when the rain started.
(08.01.2013)
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Yesterday's
sunshine and warmth was certainly too much of a good thing,
because this morning the mist was covering the landscape
right down to the shore. Thanks to sunshine and wind,
it clared up in the middle of the day. But tonight we
were again covered by thick fog.
(07.24.2013)
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It
was almost no precipitation today, so the conditions for
baling and wrapping round bales were good. With a baling
machine that performs both operations, it is a one-man
job. This enabled Tore to concentrate on driving bales
to storage locations. But even if the baling was finished
today, the transport of about a quarter of the bales remains.
(07.11.2013)
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Now
is the time when the cruise ships come north. In the evening
Portuguese registered Ocean Majesty passed Elgsnes. The
cruise ship had visited Svolvær earlier in the day and
was now heading for Ny Alesund in Sptizbergen. The strange
thing is that they took a detour through Tjeldsundet,
made a big bow outside Harstad and went out Toppsundet
and Andfjorden towards Spitzbergen. The only conceivable
explanation for this navigation must be a desire to show
tourists the beautiful nature around Toppsundet.
(07.01.2013)
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After
some days with clouds and rain, the weather changed tonight.
It was therefore time to put in place garden furniture
outside the tourist house down at Raten. It has taken
some time to find something suitable since modern design
goes bad with the venerable old house.
(06.24.2013)
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Although
it has been sunshine from a clear sky throughout the day,
a cold wind from the north made it unpleasant to be outside.
And the group of anglers who arrived yesterday, has been
ashore most of the day. However, the weather forcast had
predicted storng wind today, so they went out last night
and fished almost till the morning.
(06.13.2013)
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The
midnight sun is already half way up to it's highest level
on the sky. It means that a fourth part of the midnight
sun periode is already gone. Click on the image to see
a larger version.
(06.05.2013)
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The
tourists who arrived a week ago, has been exceptionally
lucky with the weather. There has been little wind, and
sunshine almost every day. And even if they have not got
any trophy fish, they expect to fill the quota of 15 kg
per person before they leave on Wednesday.
(05.26.2013)
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The
first group of tourists to the old trade station came
tonight. It's a long time since it has been so crowded
here, but the trade station got an inn licence from the
Danish king already in 1798, so in a way it is an ancient
activity that is now resumed.
(05.19.2013)
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Tonight
the sunset was spectacular. The clouds gave a varied color
pattern, and little wind caused more reflection from the
sea. Click on the image to see a larger version.
(05.10.2013)
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Now
it's only three weeks until it is midnight sun again,
so the sunsets move day by day more to the north. The
image was taken at ten o'clock in the evening as the sun
disappears behind the mountains of Andøya. Click
on the image to see a larger version.
(04.29.2013)
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After
four and a half months work, the carpenters are about
to finish the job in Normangaarden at Raten. The photo
is shoving Krzysztof installing the kitchen furniture.
In the kitchen the large surfaces are painted, but in
the other rooms it still remains a great deal of painting.
(04.16.2013)
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The
spring month April starts with storm from northwest. The
road has been closed, so neither the carpenters nor the
postman arrived. Although the wind calmed down a bit during
the day, the forecast tells that low pressures are lining
up with new supplies of snow and wind.
(04.02.2013)
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Now
the sun is high enought over the horizon to melt snow
in the middle of the day. And the temperature on the roof
of the boathouse was high enought to make the snow slide
down.
(03.15.2013)
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During
the last five days, there have been a total of 32 millimeters
of rain. In combination with mild southerly wind, this
has given a boost to snow melting. This afternoon all
the snow had melted away from the field Storåkeren near
the shore. And according to the forecast we will get stormy
weather and more rain.
(02.25.2013)
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In
the project down at Raten a harbour is included. A local
company has been working with this for some time now,
and today they brought a second excavator here.
When two machines are working together, they can be positioned
at the same place and only move the stones without moving
the excavator back and forth. But even if the machine
capacity is on the spot, it is still limited what they
get done at high tide.
(02.13.2013)
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28th
January is the day when the sun is back after two months'
absence. But like many times before it is cloudy when
we should welcome the sun back. The days are anyway noticeably
longer. So when the picture was made at 2:30 this afternoon,
it was still possible to do it without using a tripod.
(01.28.2013)
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In
the year 1700 Denmark/Norway changed to the Gregorian
calendar, which corrected the inaccuracy og the Julian
calendar. Today is the 20th Christmas day which was old
New Year. Tonight the old New Year was celebrated with
the Lord's own fireworks, a magnificent aurora borealis
that waved over the firmament in different color shades.
Unfortunately, it is difficult to reproduce this in a
snapshot, but click on the image to see a larger version.
(01.13.2013)
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.
Happy
New Year!
.
|
(01.01.2013) |
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.
Merry
Christmas!
.
|
(12.25.2012) |
Today
carpenters from Nilsen & Haukland started the work with
internal renovation of Normangaarden at Raten. They began
in the biggest room upstairs, called Storsalen, a room
which through the centuries has had a changing use from
ballroom in the trade station's days of prosperity, dormitory
for psychiatric patients in the late 1800's, school in
the early 1900's and sewing for the Wehrmacht during the
second world war.
(12.04.2012)
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Down
at the former trade station Raten there is little left
of the former greatness. Of the 23 houses in 1838, there
are currently only the main building remaining. This building,
which dates back to 1723, must have been impressive when
it was built. With a base of 131 m2 and two floors it
was huge compared to the regular houses at that time.
Click here
to see the buildings at Raten in 1870.
(11.22.2012)
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This
morning the landscape had changed to winter coats. So
the meteorologists were right this time. There are still
things to be done outdoors, so hopefully the long-term
weather prognoses with plus degrees and rain are also
right.
(11.07.2012)
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A
windy day. W have had strong gale or storm most of the
day, and in the morning it was even violent storm. This
evening the wind calmed down a great deal, and towards
midnight there was only near gale or gale wind. Meteorologists
say the wind will continue to calm down tomorrow, so maybe
the worst is over for this time. Click on the picture
to see a larger version.
(10.26.2012)
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There
is currently high solar activity, and electrically charged
particles are thrown into space. When the solar wind hits
Earth's magnetic field, it is deflected towards the poles.
And when the particles hit the gases in the atmosphere,
they are lighting up and forming the northern lights,
or aurora borealis, around the magnetic north pole and
southern lights or aurora australis around the magnetic
south pole. The image to the right was taken in this night,
and if you click on it, you'll see a larger version.
(10.14.2012)
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The
autumn has been fine so far, and because of little wind
there are still leaves on the trees. So this autumn the
leaves are falling, not blowing horizontally off the trees
like it usually is here in the north. Click on the image
to see a larger version.
(10.01.2012)
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Today
it is 40 years since the Norwegian people for the first
time said no to Norwegian membership in the EC. Endless
disasters would happen to the country if the people defied
the leaders and voted no. But those experts were wrong,
as they were in 1994. For the "outside country" Norway,
the situation is good. The same can not be said about
some EU countries where people have experienced dramatic
reductions of wages and social security, mass lay-offs
and extreme unemployment.
(09.25.2012)
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The
house in the picture was the main building of the old
trading station from 1675. The place was known especially
for liquor trade, and the ruin in the foreground is what
is left of the liquor cellar, which was built of large
granite rocks and with lattice in front of the window.
People said that what was was built on spirits should
perish. And in 1914, there was indeed an end to the trade.
Click on the image to see a larger version.
(09.21.2012)
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The
picture on the right was taken at 8:30 PM. Then it was
already quite dark, so a tripod and a cable release was
required to take the picture. When darkness falls, the
sky is usually much brighter than the landscape. It is
therefore almost impossible to get correct exposure of
both. Click on the image to see a larger version where
more details are visible.
(09.16.2012)
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Although
it was announced rain, the day dawned with blue skies
and sunshine. But in the afternoon, we got wind from the
north and rain. Before the the clouds covered the southwest
sky, the sun made a nice rainbow. Click on the image to
the right to see a larger version with
the whole rainbow.
(09.08.2012)
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After
the grass was cut down at Raten, the foundations of some
of the houses that once stood here became visible. Click
on the image to the right to see a larger version, and
click here
to see the buildings of the trade station in 1870.
(08.31.2012)
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The
evenigs are starting to be dark, especially in cloudy
contitions like now. It was therefore time to turn on
the lights along the private road. The lights are controlled
by a timer that turns them off at night, and a photocell
that turns them off during the day, so the time they are
on is short. But the the day length is decreasing pretty
fast now. Click on the image to see a larger version.
(08.25.2012)
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The
otter stayed today in the ditch of the local road. When
it was possible to take a close-up picture, it must be
because the otter is sick or injured. Some marks on the
nose seems to indicate that it has been in a fight.
(08.16.2012)
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When
the sea is smooth as a mirror like today, it's nice to
take a trip out on sea. Although one can enjoy the boat
life in such days, it is difficult to get fish in this
kind og weather.
(08.09.2012)
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When
a reindeer find out that the grass on the infields tastes
better than what can be find in the outlying areas, it
can not be stopped by a regular outfield fence. The male
reindeer in the picture is in very good conditions, so
it obviously knows where to find the good grass. The picture
was taken from the porch door while it was eating fresh
grass from the field near the house.
(07.30.2012)
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Yesterday
was the first day of the "dog month". When this
old month from pre-Christian times have survived in the
folk tradition up to the present time, is probably the
reason that there are many weather signs related with
this periode. In our time, the phrase "If the dog days
start with sunshine, they will end with rain" is the most
famous one. Click on the image with heavy rain clouds
over Grytøya to see a larger version.
(07.24.2012)
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This
field will be used as pasture for the cows in the autumn.
Therefore, we have started mowing for the silo here. Although
it did not rain during the day, the soil is already wet,
so it is impossible to prevent some damage of the turf.
(07.19.2012)
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The
harvesting season has started. This year we are making
the round bales before filling the silos with grass, and
since we don't have the baling equipment ourselves, a
guy came this morning and mowed 13 acres. The weather
forecast is good, so the grass will be dry enough to be
baled tomorrow. Click on the image to see a larger version.
(07.09.2012)
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The
predicted rain ended up with just a few raindrops. When
precipitation sensor does not register as much as one
millimeter, it is little compared with the amount of rain
in the southern part of Norway. Throughout the day the
sky cleared, and tonight it was even sunshine. Click on
the image to see a larger version.
(06.30.2012)
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Midsummer
celebrations were in Catholic times a memorial feast of
John the Baptist's birth. But the celebration goes back
to the pre-Christian periode when it was held midsummer
sacrifice to heathen Norse gods. The clergy realized that
it was impossible to remove the old customs, so they continued
with a new content. But the saints were abolished by the
Reformation nearly 500 years ago, so there is little left
of the Christian content of the day. But we still make
a fire at midsummer. Click on the image to see a larger
version.
(06.23.2012)
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Today
it has been sunshine from a cloudless sky, and the temperature
reached almost 18 degrees Celsius (64 F). This was all
that was needed for many people to find their way to the
sandy beach here in Elgsnes. And in the evening many came
to see the midnight sun. Click on the image to see a larger
version.
(06.16.2012)
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This
year it is only a minor field that needs calsium to get
a higher pH. To avoid waiting for a special wagon, was
instead a gritting machine used. Although it is not intended
for lime spreading, it seemed to be pretty good also for
this kind of use.
(06.09.2012)
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Only
five days ago there was snow on the fields, but today
we had sunshine and 18 degrees Celsius (64 F). This is
how the weather can change here in the north. And the
marsh marigold is blooming late this year because of the
low temperatures we have had till now.
(06.04.2012)
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The
wind calmed down and turned to southwest. Then one could
expect that the precipitation came as rain, but instead
it has snowed more than before. The snow disappeared from
the fields during the day, but the postman did not come,
so the mountain road must have been slippery. Click on
the image to the right to see a larger version.
(05.30.2012)
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The
midnight sun is back. Actually, this happened a couple
of nights ago, but it has been cloudy till now. Even if
you've seen the midnight sun countless times before, it's
special when it's back. And the colors are always most
beautiful when the midnight sun is near the horizon in
May and July. Click on the image to the right to see a
larger version.
(05.22.2012)
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The
constitution from 1814, which we celebrate the 17th of
May, starts like this: "The Kingdom of Norway is a
free, independent, indivisible and inalienable Realm."
Unfortunately the EEA agreement that we have with the
EU is increasingly gnawing out our independence. It has
been argued that we need this agreement to trade with
the EU. Strange then, that an increasingly part of Norwegian
foreign trade is with countries that we have no dependency
agreement with. Click on the image to see a larger version.
(05.17.2012)
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The
day began with sunshine, but when the coastal steamer
"Richard With" passed Elgsnes on the way south
this morning, the snow started to fall. And even if it
melts fairly quickly, there has been constant supplies
of new snow throughout the day. Click on the image to
see a larger version.
(05.12.2012)
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The
first blue anemone has had flower buds for a while now,
and today one of them opened. It is said that it 's spring
when the blue anemone is blooming.
(05.05.2012)
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This
afternoon the temperature dropped, that precipitation
came as sleet and the wind increased to gale from northwest.
This was not unexpected, because a stormy period around
1th of May is so common that it has got its own name.
Since the reindeers get their calves at this time, the
bad weather is called "Reinkalvria". Click on
the image to the right to see a larger version.
(04.30.2012)
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Although
the snow is still covering the fields, it has melted where
the road has been cleaned. In the roadside the colt's-foot
is blooming. Apart from some garden plants, the colt's-foot
has become the earliest spring flowers after it migrated
from Harstad a few years ago. Before that marsh marigold
was the first spring flowers here in Elgsnes.
(04.23.2012)
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The
weather is nice, but as long as there is a clear sky in
the night, there will also be frost. So it takes a long
time before the snow is melting and the frost disappears
from the soil. But on the shore, there is already spring.
The seagulls and oyster catchers are making noice. And
since people have not invaded the beach yet, the eagle
is still resting on the outer part of Rateneset. Click
on the image to see a larger version.
(04.17.2012)
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Today
there hasn't been a single cloud on the sky, and the temperature
has varied from four degrees below the freezing point
at night to about three degrees above in the afternoon.
Wind strength has fluctuated between light air and light
breeze, so better Easter weather we can't get. Click on
the image to the right to see a larger version.
(04.09.2012)
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Hopefully
yesterday's bad weather will not be back soon. Today we
have sunshine from a cloudless sky, and the snow that
came yesterday, gives us a traditional white Easter. Click
on the image to the right to see a bigger panorama version.
(04.01.2012)
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Although
there was little snow before the thaw began, there was
a lot of ice on the fields. But many degrees above the
freezing point, wind and a lot of rain resulted in a speedy
melting of snow and ice. On the lower fields there is
little snow left.
(03.29.2012)
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The
coastal route ship Nordstjernen was built in Hamburg in
1956 and has since then sailed a distance of about 7.4
million km corresponding to 185 times around the globe
along the equator. On the route between Bergen and Kirkenes,
she has passed Elgsnes more than 3000 times. Today it
happened for the last time. In the picture, she is on
the way out the sound Toppsundet between the islands Hinnøya
and Grytøya. Click on the image to see a larger
version.
(03.19.2012)
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Today
the precipitation came as sleet that melted on the ground.
The snow is still melting, but not as fast as yesterday.
The ice layer on the private road is thawing, so soon
it is possibel to walk safely on it.
(03.10.2012)
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March
is said to be the first month of spring and the start
seems to confirm it.Today it has been seven degrees Celsius
(45 degrees Farenheit) and the snow is melting. But old
people said that March is a snow month, so if the old
truths remains unchanged, we can still get a lot of snow.
(03.01.2012)
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A
beautiful day with almost no wind, and even though it
is a thin veil of clouds on the southern sky, the sun
shines through. This kind of light gives less contrast
between the highlights and the shaddows and is preferable
for motives like the one to the right.
(02.24.2012)
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Finally
we got a real winter this year too. The picture to the
right was made between two periodes with snowfall. And
today the snow blower was used for the second time this
winter to keep the private road open.
(02.17.2012)
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The
reindeers are here again. This time there are only two
male reindeers that are grazing on the fields. Hopefully
they are not the vanguard of a larger flock. A few years
ago there were over 40 reindeers on the fields in the
spring. Then the new sawn lawn looked like it was harrowed.
(02.10.2012)
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The
picture to the right is taken from the mountain Aunfjellet.
Elgsnes is the the peninsula pointing out from the left
side. To the right is the island Grytøya, and in the back
is Andøya. Click on the image to see a bigger panorama
version.
(02.01.2012)
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The
sun is back, although it currently only can bee seen in
a little spot and just for few minutes around 1:20 p.m.
But from now it is a short periode till we get sunshine
both in the morning and afternoon.
(01.28.2012)
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On
top of the hill Masterhågen there was once a large
burial mound from the early metal age, 4000 - 2000 years
ago. It is likely that the stones has been used in construction
work at the former trade station nearby, for today only
the foundation of the burial mound can be seen in the
terrain. Click on the image to see a larger version.
(01.21.2012)
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The
sunshine is back on the top of the mountains. It is nice
to see that the sun is on track, even if it is two weeks
until we get the first glimpse of the sun here at Elgsnes
- if it is a clear sky to the south.
(01.14.2012)
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This
day is the end of Christmas. Before year 1700, when we
used the Julian calendar, Christmas was now. But from
that year Denmark - Norway started to use the Gregorian
calendar, and the faults in the Julian calendar was corrected.
Click on the image to the right to see a larger version.
(01.06.2012)
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Happy
New Year! |
|
(01.01.2012) |
|
Merry
Christmas! |
|
(12.25.2011) |
Although
there is a little snow on the fields, this is far from
the white Christmas remembered from the childhood. And
more rain is expected. Even in old times rain before Christmas
was normal, but with deep snow on the ground, the mild
weather did not melt all of it. But during the recent
years it has become more common that we don't have permanent
snow before January.
(12.19.2011)
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11th
December is said to be the devil's birthday, so what else
could be expected than a develish weather. Last night
there was a strong wind from northnortheast. This wind
is well known and feared by fishermen. Even with today's
sophisticated devices meteorologists have problems to
warn about the small but intense polar low pressures that
create a sudden and powerful wind on the coast. The picture
was taken when the wind had calmed down.
(12.11.2011)
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Red
clouds on the sky to the south reminds us that the sun
is behind the horizon somewhere. But still it is two and
a half week till winter solstice, and almost 8 weeks until
we can see the first sunbeams here in Elgsnes after the
dark periode.
(12.05.2011)
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It
gets darker day by day, and from today the sun is under
the horizon day and night. Since it is cloudy, and no
snow on the ground, there is daylight only in the middle
of the day. When the image was taken around 9:30 this
morning, there was still a need for a tripod and cable
release because of the long exposure time.
(12.01.2011)
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There
is an old saying that a red evening means a great morning,
while a red morning means a stormy day. The picture was
taken at 10 o'clock in the morning, and then all the clouds
on the southern sky were red. Click on the image to see
a larger panoramic version.
(11.23.2011)
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Still
there are a few fishermen who get their income from the
sea in this area. When the shrimp trawling was stopped,
the halibut population increased, and once again fishing
halibut can be profitable. But also for Tore, who is fishing
for personal use, it was a good catch. 21 cods, 8 coalfishes,
1 pollack and 1 ling was the result of a fishing trip
that lasted three and a half hours. Click here
to see a picture of his catch.
(11.17.2011)
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Incredible
weather in the middle of November! A dead calm, a cloudless
sky, 11 degrees Celsius (52 degrees Farenheit), and even
the last glimps of the sun this year. What better can
one do on such a day than fishing?
(11.12.2011)
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Last
night a strong wind was blowing. It calmed down in the
morning, but already at 1 o'clock pm storm clouds came
drifting from the west. And throughout the afternoon and
evening the wind again increased to gale.
(11.07.2011)
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When
we hear in the news that it's snowing in Spain, and that
the east coast of America is drowning in snow, it is strange
that we, who live in the slope of the North Pole, still
have green fields and 10 degrees Celsius or 50 degrees
Farenheit. To predict the weather has never been easy,
and although meteorologists nowdays have sophisticated
tools, it is diffucult when the weather systems are changing
as rapidly as now.
(10.30.2011)
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Once
again, there is snow on the peaks of the island Grytøya.
Normally white mountain peaks means calmer weather and
less precipitation. Hopefully it will be the situation
now, because in three days, from 19th to 21th October,
we got 32 mm rain, which made it unpleasant to work outdoors.
Click on the image to the right to see a larger panoramic
version.
(10.22.2011)
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14th
October was in old time looked upon as the first winter
day. But when the ice is melting in the Arctic, we can
not expect the weather to be like in ancient times. But
the day length is the same, so when the picture was taken
at 8 o'clock pm, a tripod, a cable release and a long
exposure time was needed to show the details of the landscape.
Click on the image to see a larger version.
(10.14.2011)
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For
the first time this autumn there was snow in the mountains
of the island Grytøya on the other siden of the
sound Toppsundet. Probalbly this is not the beginning
of the winter, but certainly a reminding of cold days
to come.
(10.08.2011)
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The
day started with a little rain. But at approx. 1 o'clock
it started to rain so heavily that we had to take the
cows in to the cowhouse. One and a half hours later, the
picture to the right was taken in sunshine. Like this
the weather is changing from one hour to another. Later,
even more rain, and totally we got 9 millimeters today.
(10.02.2011)
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The
good growing conditions this season have resulted in a
second harvesting without additional fertilization. Yesterday
the first silo was filled for the second time, and still
we have fields to be harvested. Today it rained a little,
and on Tuesday there is a new moon. So harvesting conditions
next week, will probably not be as ideal as they have
been till now.
(09.25.2011)
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Under
today's fishing trip the seagulls got more and more excited
as one cod after another ended up in the boat. They were
both impatient and importunate, loudly claiming their
share of the catch. Click on the image to see a larger
version.
(09.18.2011)
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The
day started with seven millimeters of rainfall. But the
afternoon was very nice, with sunshine and no wind. Although
the weather was great, and it was a lot of grass on the
pasture area, many of the cows apparently were tired of
being out. They were lining up by the fence to be let
in at least one hour before the time. Click on the image
to see a larger version.
(09.11.2011)
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After
a nice summer, also the autumn starts well. Today it has
been sunshine from a cloudless sky, and a maximum temperature
of 18,9 degrees Celsius or 66 degrees Farenheit. Click
on the image to the right to see a larger panoramic version.
(09.03.2011)
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A
fishing trip today gave as result 7 cods, 14 coalfishes
and 1 mackerel. In particular, the coalfishes were willing
to bite, with up to five at the time. Therefore it did
not take much time before there was enought dinner for
a while. The seagulls seemed to have got enought food
too, since they did not fly away from the boat, but just
paddled to the side to make sure that they were not hit.
Click on the image to see a larger version.
(08.26.2011)
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In
today's rainy weather, with no people on the beach, a
sea eagle landed. It waved the wings to dry them, but
with rain in the air and 93 percent relative humidity,
it was not much wing drying. But when the eagle discovered
the photographer, it left with wet wings. Click on the
image to the right to see the eagle flying.
(08.19.2011)
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Today
it is 50 years since the first chapel here in Elgsnes
was consecrated by Bishop Alf Wiig. On the night of 15th
July 1982, however, the chapel was put on fire so that
it burned down to the ground. It was rebuilt in much the
same style as before, but now also with a basement with
bathrooms, kitchen and a meeting room. The new chapel
was consecrated on 16th May 1985. Tonight there was an
anniversary service in the chapel.
(08.13.2011)
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Although
there was a fresh breeze to strong breeze from the north
today, it is seldom that wind from this direction makes
damage. However, there is a reason why the boats are gathered
on the western side of the harbor. Wind from norhtwest
can in fact be heavy here in Elgsnes, and then it's good
to have lee behid the skerries where large waves are breaking.
Click on the image to see a larger version.
(08.06.2011)
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August
starts well, with sunshine and 22,6 degrees Celsius (73
degrees Fahrenheit) as maximum temperature. Together with
heavy rain a week ago, the sun and the temperature is
speeding up the grass growth. And on the sky are only
fair-weather clouds.
(08.01.2011)
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Today
is the first day of the former dog month. It is said that
if the dog month starts with sun, it will end with rain.
During the day there has been both rain and sunshine,
so we might expect changing weather to come. One thing
is nevertheless sure: The period of the midnight sun is
over for this year. But still the sun can create a spectacular
pattern of colors in the clouds on the northern sky from
a position under the horizon by midnight. Click on the
image to see a larger version.
(07.23.2011)
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We
get significantly more grass than what is room for in
the silos. Therefore, a man with baling equipment came
here today and made more than 180 bales from 13 acres.
With a round bale machine which is both pressing and wrapping
the bales, it is possible for a person to do this all
alone. In the background of the picture Tore is harvesting
the grass in the old way.
(07.19.2011)
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The
nice weather is back, but for tomorrow the meteorologists
are predicting rain. Pressing of round bales are therefore
postponed to next week, when the weather forecast is better.
(07.12.2011)
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Today
we started the harvesting of the grass. The plan was to
start in the middle of last week, but when the technical
equipment is 30 years old, it takes some time to get all
the moveable parts to work properly. Once you've started,
it should not be any unpredictable break before the silo
is filled. So now we are crossing fingers and hoping that
everything will function even this year.
(07.04.2011)
|
|
There
was a spectacular view outside Elgsnes tonight. Old people
said that the sun is sucking water. Thus one could expect
rain in the near future. But the weather radar does not
show that there are showers on the way, and meteorologists
predict only sunshine and nice weather. So tomorrow we'll
see if it is the science or the folk tradition is best
to predict the weather. Click on the image to see a larger
version.
(07.01.2011)
|
|
This
afternoon the earth's axis seen from the sun was perpendicular
to the ecliptic, so today we had the biggest altitude
of the sun this year. From now on we are moving towards
winter and darkness, which the photography from this evening
already bear witness to. Click on the image to see a larger
version.
(06.21.2011)
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With
the present weather with sunshine from a cloudless sky
day after day, there will be many nice midnight sun evenings.
Most people who come here to look at the midnight sun,
are leaving immediately when midnight has passed. But
they are not realizing that the real midnight sun is when
the sun is in the north, not when the clock shows 12 PM.
The picture to the right was taken about 00:30 AM, and
is therefore closer to a midnight sun picture than what
visitors are photographing at midnight. Click on the image
to see a larger version.
(06.14.2011)
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|
Today
the weather has changed to the better, and the danylions
(Taraxacum vulgare) are now in full bloom along
all the roadsides. The flower looks great now, but later
it has a nasty tendency to spread its myriads of flying
seeds over the fields. Perhaps this is the reason for
the Danes to give the flower the name Devil's Milk Bucket.
(06.06.2011)
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|
Despite
the cold weather lately, the wild pansy (Viola tricolor)
is blooming.The pansies are known for tolerating cold
conditions, and this wild variant is even more hardy than
the ones that these days are planted in people's gardens.
Click on the image to see a larger version.
(05.29.2011)
|
|
Tonight
the northern horizon was clear enought to let the midnight
sun shine for the first time this year. Click on the image
to see a larger version.
(05.23.2011)
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Today
we took the boat out, and made a short trip out on sea
to check that the outboard motor was working well. The
image to the right shows Elgsnes with the mountain in
the background seen from the sea outside the bay. Click
on the picture to see a larger version.
(05.16.2011)
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Although
there have been no storm, the wind has still been too
strong to spread the fertilizer. But this afternoon the
wind dropped, and Tore started spreading fertilizer on
the area down to the shore.
(05.11.2011)
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|
During
the night the sky was clear. So this morning there was
frost on the fields. Long before 1th of May became Labour
Day, it was called cuckoo day, or gaukdagen in
norwegian. This is probably the last memory from the month
gaukmánaðr in pre-Christian times. An old weather
sign is that if there is frost the three first nights
in May, the summer will be cold. So we have to keep an
eye on how the next two nights will be!
(05.01.2011)
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The
blue anemone is blooming now. This flower needs calcareous
soil, and since it is mostly acidic soil here in Elgsnes,
the plant is not growing in the nature here. The blue
anemone is therefore brought here and planted in the garden.
And the soil is limed to improve the growing conditions
for this beautiful spring flower.
(04.23.2011)
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The
area on the picture was sown last year, and fortunately
it seems that the grass has survived the winter. This
area has the most stony ground in the entire property,
so it is a relief that we do not need to pick more stones
here for a while.
(04.13.2011)
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|
A
few days ago we had full winter. But suddenly the weather
changed to mild wind and rain. A lot of snow has melted
in just a few days, and it seems that this weather will
continue. Even though we can expect some setbacks, we
can at least hope that this is the beginning of the spring.
(04.04.2011)
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The
nice winter weather continues, with sun from an almost
cloudless sky and little wind. In the middle of the day,
it is a nice temperature, but in the night temperature
is still getting down to nearly ten degrees below freezing
point. Click on the mage to the right to see a larger
version.
(03.29.2011)
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A
few years ago we were very bothered by reindeers coming
down to the cultivated area and did damage to the meadow
in the spring. It could be over 40 animals at once, and
they did not only damage by digging and eating, but just
as much by walking on the wet surface. Now there are two
reindeers down on the fields, and we fear that it is the
beginning of a new reindeer invasion. Click on the image
to see a larger version.
(03.19.2011)
|
|
Last
night it was a great northern lights. The image to the
right is showing the northern lights over the mountain
tops of Grytøya. Click on the image to see a larger version,
and click here
to see a radar image showing where it at the moment is
possible to see the northern lights.
(03.12.2011)
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|
At
2:30 AM the wind speed was 25.8 m/sec, which is storm
according to the Beaufort scale. This is the highest wind
speed recorded since we began posting the weather data
online about eighteen months ago. When the picture was
taken at noon today, the wind had calmed considerably,
but the waves were still there. Click on the image to
see a larger version, and click here
to see a video that was recorded simultaneously.
(03.03.2011)
|
|
The
image on the right was taken at noon today and shows the
sun over the mountain peak. Two days ago, the top edge
of the sun reached over the mountain, and already the
whole sun is visible. The sun is not nearly as big as
it looks in the picture, but the sunlight is so strong
that a correct exposure of the sun would have left the
surrounding in complete darkness.
(02.24.2011)
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The
nice weather continues, but even if the sun is shining,
the wind is cold. The temperature we have here on the
coast, may seem unimpressive to people in interior areas,
but the high humidity makes it feel much colder here than
in the dry inland air at similar temperatures. Click on
the image to see a larger version.
(02.17.2011)
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Finally
a clear sky, and the sun was shining here at Elgsnes in
the morning as well as in the afternoon. But the sun is
still too near the horizon to pass over the mountain on
the southern side of the farm. The image to the right
was taken around two o'clock when the sun was visible
between two hillsides.
(02.10.2011)
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The
temperature is still around the freezing point, but low
enought to make the precipitation change from rain to
snow. And even though it has not been heavy snowfalls,
the drifting snow is blocking the roads. But this is something
we handle with adequate equipment. So for us it is strange
to see how the snow can paralyze London, Paris and Washington.
Click on the picture to the right to see a larger version.
(02.03.2011)
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|
28th
of January is the sun day here in Elgsnes, when we can
get the first glimpse of the sun after the dark periode.
But a clear sky near the southern horizon is needed. And
today it is far from that, no matter in what direction
you look. At the time when we should have seen the first
sunbeams, the weather was as shown in the picture to the
right.
(01.28.2011)
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The
sun is back after the dark periode. So far there is sunshine
only on the mountains around us, but day by day the sunbeams
will reach bigger parts of the mountain sides. And in
8 days time, there will be sunshine even here at Elgsnes,
if the sky is clear that day.
(01.20.2011)
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Today,
there have been some snow flurries, first from the southwest
and later from the north. The temperature has been above
the freezing point most of the day, so the snow has come
in large flakes. Since the picture to the right was taken
without dayligh, shutter speed was long, and the snow
flakes therefore look like dashes. Click on the image
to see a larger version.
(01.11.2011)
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There
is a light southerly breeze and a two degrees below the
freezing point. During the night we got an extra inch
of snow, and when the picture to the right was taken in
the middle of the day, it was still overcast, but in the
evening the sky was clear. Click on the image to see a
panoramic version in a larger format.
(01.08.2011)
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Happy
New Year! |
|
(01.01.2011) |
|
Merry
Christmas ! |
|
(12.25.2010) |
The
light during the polar night is unique. On a clear day
like today, the sky is more pink than blue, and the landscape
gets a warm hue. The picture shows the shoreline along
the horseshoe-shaped bay. In the back you an see the steap
mountains on the island Grytøya.
(12.18.2010)
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Now
it had been snowing so much that the snow blowing machine
had to be used for the first time this winter. Although
there are little traffic on the private road, it must
be kept open, for ourselves, for the postman and for the
milktruck.
(12.12.2010)
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Yesterday
we got more than nine inches of rain and today two inches,
so the snow is gone in the lowlands. But it hasn't been
many degrees above the frezing point, so on top of the
mountains the precipitation came as snow. Therefore the
mountains are even whiter than before. Click on the picture
to the right to see a larger version.
(12.03.2010)
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|
Even
photos taken after it has become quite dark can be nice
when using a tripod and cable release. However, it is
best to take pictures before it is completely dark, if
you don't want a totally black sky. Click on the image
to see a larger version.
(11.26.2010)
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Three
days ago it was full winter. But the image to the right,
which was taken today, could have been a summer picture,
except for the black forest and snow in the mountains.
However, the temperature has already dropped to the freezing
point, so there may soon be snow again.
(11.19.2010)
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This
day has the name Morten's Day from the French bishop and
saint Martin of Tours. Today it is only roast goose people
associate with the day, although this tradition is not
widespread in Norway. The day was also linked to weather
prediction. If it is a clear day, it will be a cold winter,
and if it rains, the rain will continue until the New
Year. Good then that it is cloudy without precipitation
today. Click on the picture to the right to see a panoramic
version.
(11.11.2010)
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|
As
soon as the seagulls realize that you get fish, they stay
close to the boat. And when the entrails are thrown overboard,
they immediately start fighting for a titbit. Click on
the image to see a larger version.
(11.04.2010)
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In
the past, farmers used to expect snow and cold weather
from now on, and therefore they considered full indoor
feeding of the livestock from today. If the old saying
is still valid, it is good that we finished the ploughing
today.
(10.28.2010)
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|
Last
night it began snowing, and this morning the roads were
white, and the fields were more white than green. Although
the first snow normally will melt away, it is nevertheless
a warning about the coming winter.
(10.21.2010)
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In
old time the 14th of October was looked upon as the first
winter day. Today the landscape is white down to the shore
around us, and the old forecast seems to be right. Only
here at Elgsnes we still have green fields.
(10.14.2010)
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According
to the weather forecast we will get storm from southwest.
Southwest wind is not dangerous, but if the wind comes
from southsouthwest, it can create powerful tornadoes
that more than once have vaulted boats in the bay. Therefore
Tore found it safest to bring the boat to the shore.
(10.07.2010)
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It
is nice weather and good harvesting conditions. Even though
we still have hope for a long, dry autumn, it is time
to get the rest of the grass in the silo. So today we
started this years second mowing of the grass.
(09.30.2010)
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|
In
the morning it was drizzle in the air, and the rainbow
was visible over Vester-Raten. But it had to be a panoramic
image to catch the whole rainbow. Click on the picture
to see a larger version.
(09.24.2010)
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In
contrast to the summer weather, this autumn has been mostly
fine. The temperature is almost like in the summer, there
is little wind and the sun shines more than normal in
September. Usually there will be a stormy period after
the forest has turned yellow and before the the mountains
turn white. Maybe it will happen also this year.
(17.09.2010)
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Tonight
Lorian was out fishing in a small boat. It was more exciting
than usual because some whales called "springer"
jumpet up from the sea around the boat. In the picture
two of them are over the water at the same time, but at
this time not close to the boat. You can see video of
these dolphin type whales here.
(09.09.2010)
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September
starts with gale from the north and rain. This day was
an important red-letter day for the autumn weather. Precipitation
this day was looked upon as a sign for a wet autumn, which
ensured enough water to grind the grain. 18 millimeters
of rain in six hours this morning should therefore forecast
a lot of rain during the autumn.
(09.01.2010)
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A
short fishing trip today resulted in a catch of seven
fine cods, four coalfishes and a halibut of about 10 kilograms
(22 lbs.). The picture is showing seagulls fighting for
the guts. To see a picture of the catch, click here.
(08.22.2010)
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The
cows have been in during the weekend due to bad weather.
After only two days in the cowhouse, they jumped and danced
as was it the first time they were out. In the picture
to the right, old cows have calmed down and started to
eat, while the nearest cow are still running around.
(08.16.2010)
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Many
farmers are complaining of crop failure this year, but
here we had more than 5 hectares (12 acres) left when
the silos were filled. The problem has been to get someone
to make round bales and weather dry enought to get the
work done.
(09.08.2010)
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"Anna
Rogde" passed today Elgsnes with a lot of people
on board. The ship is claimed to be the world's oldest
sailing schooner, although it today is using engine power
instead of sail propulsion.
(08.01.2010)
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Two
days with sunshine from a cloudless sky has not been common
this summer. Nice weather is particularly gratifying today,
which is an old red-letter day. One tradition is that
a rainy day today gives rain for four weeks, another that
the rain today will give a wet autumn. According to this,
it should be nice weather in the coming weeks and months.
(07.25.2010)
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The
storm today was forecasted. Therefore, we started early
with silage cut. Nevertheless, we got only 12 loads in
the silo before the weather conditions made it impossible
to continue. The wind increased, and the precipitation
came as rain, sleet and hail. The weather today reminded
me more of an autumn storm than summer. Click on the picturer
to the right to see a larger version.
(07.22.2010)
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Every
second day we have pouring rain or sunshine, and today
it has even been more than 20 degrees Celsius (68 F).
This spring and early summer we have had an unusually
high rainfall, which is visible on Normangaarden at Raten.
Normally, the turfed roof should be brown at this time
of year, but it is still green and lush.
(07.17.2010)
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Since
we have summer time, the real midnight sun is at one o'clock
AM. The picture to the right was taken at that time last
night. Click on the image to see a larger version.
(07.09.2010)
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Three
elks passed the kitchen window today. But before the camera
was in position, two of them disappeared into the forest
again. It was just enough time to take a picture of the
last one before it also disappeared.
(06.29.2010)
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The
sun is back after some cloudy days, and the temperature
reached today + 13 degrees Celsius (55 F). We can only
hope that the nice weather will continue and the sowing
can be done before it is harvesting time.
(06.24.2010)
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At
this time of the year we get a lot of new calfs, and today
two calves were born, both of them female. The first one
was born this morning, and the calf to the right came
this
afternoon. So far in June five cows have got calfs, and
during the next four weeks, we expect six more.
(06.16.2010)
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Despite
the low temperatures are bilberries (vaccinium myrtillus)
in bloom. But pollination is another story, for there
are very few insects to see. Some are flying when the
sun is shining, but they are few in numbers.
(06.12.2010)
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In
contrast to agriculture, there is a big profit in the
aquaculture industry. Problems in Chile has created a
big demand for Norwegian salmon and trout, which are sold
at high prices. The company that has established itself
outside Elgsnes, is selling a lot of trout to Russia,
which is now one of the most important export markets
for norwegian fish.
(06.05.2010)
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Grilling
season has begun, and today it was sunny and no wind,
so it was good conditions for barbecuing down on the sandy
shore. The fox has probably been sitting in the forest
waiting for the the people to disappear. As soon as the
humans had left, it came down to the beach to look for
goodies which it from experience know that people leave
behind.
(05.29.2010)
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After
the ground dried up, we had to remove the gravel that
was spread over the fields when the flood water made river
of the road earlier this spring. When it was done, we
got wind and rain. But today it is possible to get the
fertilizer out.
(05.21.2010)
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We
have had a cold spring till now, but suddenly the warmth
came. With 21 degrees Celsius or 70 degrees Farenheit,
Monica wanted to take a bath in the sea. But two days
with more than 20 degrees Celsius is too little to temperate
the Arctic Ocean. So her swimming was maybe refreshing,
but definitely cold.
(05.16.2010)
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Now
it is only about a week until we can see the midnight
sun again, but the sunsets are already spectacular, even
if this happens at 11 PM. The picture to the right shows
the sun just before it disappears behind the clouds out
at sea.
(05.11.2010)
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During
the night we had no frost, which is important for melting
of the snow. Therefore the landscape is noticeably more
vernal today. But there are a lot of frost in the soil,
and most of the culverts are still frozen. So it will
take some time till the fields will change colour from
brown to green.
(05.05.2010)
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Today
it is snowing again. When the picture to the right was
taken this morning, the fields were not yet covered with
snow, but in the end of the day the snow depth was approximately
8 inches - despite the fact that the snow was wet and
heavy, and therefore compressed.
(04.27.2010)
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The
wild goose is back, and as years before it is grazing
down at the field Storaakeren. Although the grass has
not yet begun to grow, there is grass from last autumn
that is still green, and the goose is eating this as long
as it can't find anything better. Grazing geese is a problem
for farmers in many places along the coast. Here in Elgsnes
only a couple or two stops during the spring.
(04.20.2010)
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The
snowmelting has caused damage to the public road. The
ice was not removed from the ditches and the culverts
were not opened by steam in advance, so this had to happen.
Last weekend we alarmed those responsible for the roads,
but they could not come then. The people from the municipality
administration will hopefully take a look at the conditions
during this week. Meanwhile, the road has turned into
a riverbed.
(04.12.2010)
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Tonight,
the entire sun is visible between the mountain Kinnaksla
on Hinnøya to the left and Bjørnskinnaksla on Andøya to
the right. In the passed, when the sun's position over
the mountains was used as a watch, people here at Elgsnes
knew that now it was seven o'clock pm. With summer time
and a little more precise measurements, we know that it
is ten minutes past eight. Click on the image to see a
larger version.
(04.06.2010)
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|
So
far it seems to be a dream Easter. The picture is taken
from the mountain Aunfjellet and shows from the left the
peninsula Elgsnes. In the background is the island Andøya,
and to the right is the island Grytøya.
In the shadow of the mountain we can see the farms in
Aun.
(04.01.2010)
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In
the past this day was looked upon as an important day
for the coming weather. The weather of this day will,
according to the tradition, continue for the coming six
or seven weeks.
(03.25.2010)
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|
Today
is the spring equinox. It means that day and night have
equal length all over the globe. From now on, the day
length will increase with the latitude in the Northern
Hemisphere and decrease with the latitude in the south.
The bright nights are on the way, but where is the sign
of spring?
(03.20.2010)
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Today
it has been snowing and blowing. The image to the right
is taken from the doorway of the barn, as it was not advisable
to take the camera out into the snow.
(03.14.2010)
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Last
night the wind started blowing. During the night the wind
increased, and early this morning the wind gauge showed
strong gale. It is actually for the first time this winter.
All day the strength of the wind has been between near
gale and gale, but the air pressure is rising, so tomorrow
we can expect less wind.
(03.08.2010)
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The
sun is now up long enought in the afternoon to shine on
the northwest side of the boathouse. With sunshine, almost
no wind and only 3 or 4 degrees below the freezing point,
the winter is the way we want. And now, in the end of
February, there is reason to believe that the coldest
part of winter is finished.
(02.28.2010)
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The
fox in the picture looks out over the sea hoping that
something eatable will drift to the shore, because at
this time of year it is not easy to find food. But this
day has the name "Peder stol", or originally
the latin name Petrus Catedratus. According to
an old legend, St. Peter on this day is throwing hot stones
into the water to start the melting process. So from now
on we should get milder days - for the benefit of both
people and animals.
(02.22.2010)
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Clouds
filled with snow have been lined up out in the fjord today.
In the photo, another one is coming. Even though the wind
is not strong, the waves are pretty big caused by strong
wind off the coast. The waves are mixing mall particles
from the sandy beach with the nearby water, which makes
it look much lighter than the sea behind.
(02.15.2010)
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Finally
a winter image from Elgsnes. And this time we hope the
snow remains longer than a month ago, when it rained away
after only three days. Normally, February and March are
snow months, but what was usual some years ago, gives
little indication of what the weather will be like when
Spitzbergen has higher temperature than Oslo, and Washington
DC is drowning in snow.
(02.07.2010)
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This
is the fourth day this year that the sun could possibly
be seen here at Elgsnes. Today is the first day without
clouds on the southern sky, so at 01:20 PM we could welcome
the sun back after two months under the horizon.
(01.31.2010)
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In
the background of the picture you can see the mountains
of the island Andøya to the right and the mountains of
the western part Hinnøya to the left. Here from Elgsnes
to the other side of the fjord is less than 15 km or 9,3
miles in linear distance. By road, the distance is 190
km or 118 miles. By taking a ferry, the distance can be
reduced to 130 km or 80 miles. This illustrates the big
difference between linear distance and distance along
the road, when the land is devided by deep fjords.
(01.21.2010)
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The
sun is shining in the mountains again after the dark periode,
and day by day it gets higher on the firmament. In two
weeks time, if there are no clouds on the southern part
of the sky, it is possible to see the first sunbeams also
here in Elgsnes.
(01.15.2010)
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After
two days with snow, we got wind from southwest, and once
again rain. It is good that the snow is wet, because this
will prevent it from moving around when the wind is blowing.
On the other hand, the mild periode should either be short,
or it should last till all the snow and ice has melted
away. Something in between can cause ice on the fields
and damage the grass.
(01.09.2010)
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|
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Happy
New Year!
|
(01.01.2010) |
|
Merry
Christmas! |
|
(12.25.2009) |
Click
on the image to
see a larger version
|
Last
night the wind turned northerly, and the precipitation
changed to sleet and snow. Although we didn't get more
snow than about a centimerter, it was sufficient to give
the landscape a wintery character. This is just the right
amount of snow: Sufficient to make the polar night less
dark, but not so much that I need to start cleaning the
road.
(12.19.2009)
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|
No
more berries, and even if the snow has not arrived, it
is less food for the wild birds. Good that there are friendly
souls who think of them now in the Advent periode. The
great titmouse is enjoying a mixture of animal fat and
seed.
(12.14.2009)
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|
A
remarkable December, with lasting dry weather and low
breeze from south. The second week of Advent has started,
but there are few signs of winter. The fields are still
green, and snow is found only on mountain tops.
(12.07.2009)
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|
There
are still fishing boats on the fjord, although it has
become few in number. Transferable fishing quotas and
closure of local fish processing industry has, among other
reasons, caused this reduction. At the same time the small
boats have become more advanced and efficient. Click on
the image to see a larger version.
(11.30.2009)
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|
Today
there were beautiful colors on the south sky. The color
is red because the sun is shining on the clouds from a
position near the horizon. Therefore the sunbeams are
passing through a lot of atmosphere, in which the short
waved blue light is spread. The long waved red and yellow
light reaches the clouds, which get those colours.
(11.26.2009)
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Here
at Elgsnes the sun disappeared a week ago, but it is still
shining on the island Grytøya. In the picture to
the right the shadow of the mountanin Elgen is visible.
Theoretically, there are still 11 days before the sun
disappears below the horizon, but it is gone before that
even on the other side of the sound.
(11.19.2009)
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The
periode with sunshine has ended, and soon we will enter
the polar night. The photo cell is switching on the road
lights around three o'clock in the afternoon. So it was
necessary to use a tripode to get a sharp photography
to the right.
(11.16.2009)
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The
red campion (melandrium rubrum) is still blooming,
even though the flower is more rumpled than during the
first flowering in May. When a plant, which in the past
was blooming in the end of June, now is in flower for
six months, this must be a sign of climate changes. The
rising of sea level is also easy to see by high tide,
even for an amateur. So hopefully the climate conference
in Copenhagen will give some results.
(11.09.2009)
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In
the afternoon there was beautiful colors on the southwestern
sky after the sunset. Although there has been less colours
in nature, we are now entering a period when the sky light
is constantly changing in color and intensity. So there
will still be many exciting scenes if you are in the right
place at the right time.
(11.04.2009)
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Tore
went out fishing for two and a half hours this afternoon.
He got 19 cods and four small coalfish. The catch is shown
in the image to the right. To avoid the small fish, large
hooks were used. But even though the small coalfishes
were not able to bite over the angle, they were still
caught. If the angles had been smaller, the number of
coalfish would have been multiplied.
(10.27.2009)
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The
sea eagle (Haliaeëtus albicilla) is our biggest
bird of prey, with a wingspan up to 2.4 meters or almost
8 feet. The sea eagle can be up to fifty years old, and
from the time it becomes sexually mature and establish
territory, it will stay in the same area most of the time.
The young birds are moving more around.
(10.21.2009)
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The
temperature increase continued today, and was on the highest
+12,6 degrees Celsius or 54,7 degrees Farenheit. The picture
to the right makes us think of summer, with green fields
and rainbow. Only the long shadows from the houses reveals
that it is late autumn, with the polar night ahead.
(10.15.2009)
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Hail
showers last night turned into snow flurries this morning.
However, the temperature is still over the freezing point,
so the snow melted quickly on the fields. Only the roads
were coloured white. But throughout the day the precipitation
came as sleet and rain, and then the snow melted even
there.
(10.08.2009)
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Finally
a day with sunshine and nice weather. When the sun is
shining, the autumn colors are even more beautiful. On
the hill in the background there are aspen, birch and
rowan, so therefore the colors and nuances of the trees
are different.
(10.02.2009)
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According
to Genesis the Lord put the rainbow in the clouds to remember
his promise not to destroy all life with rain and flooding
any more. We have now got enought rain for a while. So
even though meteorologists predict more rain, it is still
a hope that the rainbow has an effect on a forgetful God.
(09.24.2009)
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And
broad-leaved trees went yellow
and starlings moved south.
And peaks were coloured white
like all the years before.
From
the poem "Short summer" by Helge Stangnes.
(09.17.2009)
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Rain
earlier this week, 9 millimeters of rain yesterday and
6 millimeters this morning has saturated the soil with
water. So just a few more millimeters makes small streams
of water on our private road. Anyway, tonight it seems
that both the wind and rain is decreasing.
(09.10.2009)
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Yesterday's
pouring rain caused that the cows were taken early in
from the pasture. But today they can enjoy the sunshine.
Actually, cows prefere a somewhat autumnal temperature.
As long as there is no rain and wind, they have a good
time even if humans find it cold.
(09.04.2009)
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When
it is cloudy as it is now, it becomes quite dark before
midnight. We have therefore turned on the road lights,
among them a light down by the boathouse. The lights are
controlled by a photo cell and a timer. Thus, they are
turned off both in daylight, and six and a half hours
during the night.
(08.29.2009)
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Rainfall
during the latest days has caused the meadows to change
colour from yellow to green. For most of the fields this
is too late to get more grass for harvesting, but the
farm landscape is certainly more beautiful as it is now.
(08.24.2009)
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Today
Håkon began digging trenches for electrisity and sewer
to the house he is going to build. Here he is trying to
get a big stone up from the ditch, while his girlfriend
Monica and archaeologist Ragnhild Myrstad from the county
cultural administration are watching.
(08.17.2009)
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In
Rateskogen near the farm, the trees have got the autumn
colour. This is caused by the extremely dry summer and
the thin soil layer in this area. So the yellow trees
is not a sign of an early fall.
(08.10.2009)
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Lately
it has been a lot of people down on the beach. This is
understandable, with sunshine from a cloudless sky, almost
no wind and approximately 25 degrees Celsius (77F). The
sea temperature is 17 degrees Celsius (63F), so the bathing
nymphs have fun playing in the water. The barometer shows
high pressure, and the meteorolgists are telling us that
this nice weather will last.
(08.03.2009)
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A Sunday with sunshine
from almost clear sky, almost calm and 24 degrees Celsius
(75F). It was a lot of people down on the beach, but in
such weather it is even better out on sea. The picture
shows Elgsnes from the seaside.
(07.26.2009)
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The last load is filled
in the second silo. So the silo harvesting has come to
an end. The persons in the picture are from the left Tore,
Hugo-André and Lorian.
(07.18.2009)
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For the first time this
year, it was possible to take a picture of the midnight
sun when the sea was calm. Until now it has been windy,
and the reflection from the sea has been vague. Click
on the picture to see a larger version.
(07.13.2009)
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Since the beginning of
June, we have only had two heavy showers. In addition
to this, there has been almost constantly a strong wind
from north, so the fields are very dry. The picture is
from an area where the grass started to fade. So we had
to change the harvesting order to gather in the grass
before it was too late.
(07.09.2009)
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This evening we started
mowing the grass in two fields. This will be baled and
wrapped. On Monday, it is planned that we will start the
silo harvest.
(07.04.2009)
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The cowberry (vaccinium
vitis-idaea) is in flower now. It prefers moist and
acidic soil, is hardy, but does not like hot summers.
The cowberry is used as boiled or stirred jam, and is
common as an accessory to venison. The fruit contains
organic acids, vitamin C, vitamin A, B-vitamins and potassium,
calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. In addition, cowberry
also contains chemical substances which is believed to
counteract urine infections. From old times cowberry has
therefore been used as a medical plant.
(06.27.2009)
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It has been wind from north
for a long periode now, but when a sailboat is passing
by, it is suddenly a dead calm. This was apparently people
who wanted to travel on sea in the old way, but after
a while the sails were lowered and the engine started.
In this way they reached their destination.
(06.22.2009)
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Because of the international
financial crisis, less tourists from abroad come to Norway.
But cruiseships are still sailing in the norwegian fjords.
Today one of them passed by.
(06.14.2009)
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At last the wild pansy
(viola tricolor) is flowering. This is approximately
two weeks later than normal. But May was cold and wet,
and although it has been just a little rain the last week,
the wind from the north is still cold.
(06.07.2009)
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Tonight we had a short
periode with sunshine between the showers. At the same
time some goosanders came to the shore. This made it possible
to make the photo to the right.
(06.02.2009)
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After yesterday's rain,
we got strong wind. The soil dried, and we could continue
to work on the tilled field. The area is now prepared
for adding of lime and manure.
(05.26.2009)
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19th May is the first possibility
to see the midnight sun here at Elgsnes. Most of the years
there are clouds along the northern horizon at this time.
So it can take several days before we can see the mindnight
sun. But tonight it was possible to welcome the midnight
sun already the first time it was over the horizon by
midnight. To see a bigger version, click on the picture.
(05.19.2009)
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The 17th of May is our
constitutional day, and in Norway it is normal with processions.
Since there are only 3 persons living in Elgsnes, and
among them only one norwegian citizen, there was no procession
today. But we ran up the norwegian flag on 3 flagstaffs.
Click on the picture to see a bigger version.
(05.17.2009)
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The bog-rosemary (Andromeda
polifolia) is soon flowering in the peatbog on the
western side of the peninsula. In the bog-rosemary we
find the poisonous substance andromedotoxin, which can
be used in a medical way. But since this is a strong poison,
it is too risky to be used as herb medicine.
(05.13.2009)
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The fields are now dry
enought to drive on with a tractor. The first job to be
done is spreading the fertilizer. Normally this work is
finished before the 17th of May, and we suppose this will
be the situation also this year.
(05.07.2009)
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The time for beautiful
sunsets has started. When the sea is calm like tonight,
and gilded by the reflection from the sky, the sunset
is even more spectacular. And now it is only 3 weeks till
the midnight sun is back.
(04.29.2009)
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One week ago the fields
were green. But at 69 degrees north the weather can change
quickly. So today's picture shows a winter landscape.
And it is still snowing in the mountains in the background.
(04.20.2009)
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The graylag goose is on
it's way northward. They take a rest and eat before they
continue to their destination. In Norway, the number of
greylag geese is estimated to have increased a lot in
the last years. As a consequence, farmers' problems caused
by goose grazing on farmland has increased considerably.
Till now this has not been a problem here in Elgsnes.
(04.13.2009)
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Witch's broom on birches
is caused by a fungus with the latin name Taphrina
betulina that makes the hormone cytokinin. This cause
the uncontrolled growth. In old days, people belived this
was connected to witchcraft, and they gave it the name
witch's broom.
(04.06.2009)
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In the beginning of the
day, we had nice weather with sunshine from a cloudless
sky. But later in the day, it became cloudy again. And
according to the weather forecast, the sunny days have
come to an end.
(03.30.2009)
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Today we saw the oyster
catcher for the first time this year. This kind of bird
leaves northern Norway in the autumn and is back in the
early spring. For some years now, a couple have had their
nest on a roof where they have been protected from the
fox. But today this oyster catcher was alone, so it might
have lost it's mate.
(03.22.2009)
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Once again a sunny day.
The beach looks nice, but the temperature will keep the
people away for some more months.
(03.14.2009)
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Another nice day, but according
to the meteorologist the period with sunshine from a cloudless
sky soon will come to an end. Anyway - we have had some
great days at the same time as the media in the capital
have been complaining about weather in the south of Norway.
But this is normal: Bad weather in the south means nice
weather here - and vice versa.
(03.08.2009)
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The picture to the right
was taken before we cleaned the road between the houses
on the farm. A dead calm, no footprints except for those
made by a hare passing by early in the morning.
(02.28.2009)
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Yesterday it was snowing.
But today the wind turned to southwest, and we got mild
weather with rain and slippery roads. In old times, when
chair sledge was used for transportation, slippery roads
were an advantage. But after the car took over the transportation,
roads like this is not only a disadvantage, but simply
a danger to traffic safety.
(02.21.2009)
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Finally a calm day, snow
on the fields and sunshine from a clear sky. As you can
see, the sun is still near the horizon, but it gets higher
and higher day by day. Approximately one week from now
the sun will pass over the mountain Elgen, and we will
have sunshine from sunrise to sunset.
(02.14.2009)
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In the morning the sun
was shining here at Elgsnes. After a short periode it
disappeared again behind the mountain Elgen. When the
sun was supposed to show up aganin on the western side
of the mountain, the clouds covered the sky.
(02.08.2009)
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Today the temperature was
almost +8 degrees Celsius (46 F). So the snow melted away,
and again we have green fields here at Elgsnes. But only
2 miles away, in the background of the picture, there
is snow down to sea level.
(01.31.2009)
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The sun is shining on the
mountains of Grytøya both in the morning and in
the afternoon. Only in the middle of the day it is covered
by the mountain Elgen which also makes the shaddow here
at Elgsnes.
(01.24.2009)
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Today the sun is shining
on the city hall for the first time this year, so this
is the municipality's official day for celebrating that
the sun is back after the dark periode. Here at Elgsnes
we have mountains on the south side, so we have to wait
till 28th of January to see the sun again.
(01.16.2009)
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Along the seaside we have
made a stone barrier as protection against the waves.
But now the tide is extremely high, and there is a strong
wind from the north, so the waves reach the cultivated
area inside the barrier.
(01.12.2009)
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Dark clouds are coming
from the north. They are so dark that one could think
they are thunder clouds, but the colour indicates only
that they are filled with moisture which will fall down
as snow when the clouds reach land.
(01.04.2009)
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Happy
New Year! |
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(01.01.2009) |
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