at the end of the road

what we really went to see, the magnificent, unearthly and ethereal Northern lights. We were fortunate to see a very active aurora on an crystal clear night. The photographs are deceptive in that the eye does not see such vivid colours, but they do capture the shapes and sense of movement that one can see. What a wonderful place (see link, Spot doesn't usually do ads but this hotel deserves it)!

Northern colours

dusk, coral beach at Sommaroy

the evening view from the Arctic Hotel, Sommaroy

dawn pictures

at this time of year dusk and dawn last for several hours creating some amazing scenes and colours.

reindeer

 

some wild life on the road around the island of Kvaløya

 

the white tailed sea eagle (see link)

huskyville

the huskies at Villmarkssenter (see link) making a hell of a racket as they get excited about mushing. This is a link to my facebook page where there is a fun video of the huskies setting off (link)

a trip to the North

things we didn't see in Venterdon, Tromso, at night

Spring bugs

It has been warm, almost Spring-like today. This is the hawthorn shield bug which overwinters as an adult, and has been fooled by the mild weatherinto waking up two months early, although it was quite dozy. I wonder why it earned its scientific name (see link) ?