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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

"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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

Once again a sunny day. The beach looks nice, but the temperature will keep the people away for some more months.

(03.14.2009)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)