Friday Theme, May, May Welcome

Well, I guess I could start by saying: What, where? Is there May anywhere near?We do not have any regular may weather here right now. There is a never ending winter that linger around Fairbanks as we speek. The forecast calls for temperatures around 32F, so around 0C. We will see when fieldwork starts at this point.

I was recently back in Stockholm though and we saw the typical May weather (even though it was only April) maybe a little on the colder side, but not compared to here.

Flowers are usually one of the signs for spring. I remember last year we went kayaking right around this time. And while there were some snow here and there, there still were some buds blooming (below).

It was warm enough to be kayaking (above), and the weather was pretty good, that is Alaska good. No snow on the ground in the forest where we camped (below).

Even the Tanana was ice free (above). I do not think it is ice free today. By 1st of June last year everything was green again (below). At this rate I am not 100% convinced that it will look the same this year on the 1st of June.

A couple of years ago I went on a hike on May 30th and while there were some spots where there still were some snow, it was pretty green, and warm. AND wildfire season had already started.

So, for now these pictures represent May for me, cause in my mind it is not suppose to be snow on the ground in May.

Friday Theme * 3, Glass, Wood and Porcelain

I have been missing a couple of Friday Themes recently cause I have been busy again. But, that doesn't mean you wont be able to see my interpretation of these last three Friday Themes. Lets start with Glass. When I think about glass i think about the handblown glasses from Stockholms Glasbruk at Skansen. You are not allowed to take any pictures there while they are working, but it is amazing. They are celebrating 80 years this year and I have heard they are releasing a DVD with old pictures and scenes from the start of the glassworks. My mom has bought me lots of glasses and alike from there.

One thing that I had never seen before coming here was mason jars. First, mason jars are very common in Alaska because you make jam of course, or other canned goods. And it reminds me of Greg Browns song canned goods. Second, some places serve drinks or desserts from mason jars. Personally I think mason jars are beautiful. Mason jars with beets in them, from last summer. They are so tasty. Cloudberry jam that me and a friend made last summer. Dessert served in a mason jar in San Francisco.

I really like the growlers that you can buy here, that is something you can't find in Sweden. Mostly cause Sweden doesn't have that many microbreweries.

During the summertime Farmers Market is also open and they have lots of things in beautiful glass containers.

Last May we went down to Talkeetna for the weekend and visited one of many micro breweries in Alaska.

At the breweries you can order tasters so you can get a taste of all their options.

Last summer we also celebrated Midsummer and Marie bought "snaps" glasses in honor of Alaska

One of our friends here in Alaska has her roots in scandinavia and her dad of course has a Swedish flag in glass in his living room

The second Friday theme was Wood. When we were down in Talkeetna last summer I saw this wooden sculpture, it was quite funny to see something like this there, in Talkeetna, which is so far away from any other town. Quite suprising.

I am pretty sure that none of you have missed the fact that we live in a beautiful cabin in the woods, made out of logs from the Rosie Creek fire back in the days.

I love love love the forest I work in, it is so beautiful. Parts of it was burned in the 2004 Boundary fire. The Boundary fire actually burned 10% of Alaskas burnable forest....that is almost 27000 square kilometers. That is almost the size of Jämtland in Sweden. All burned.

But only parts of the forest is burned. There are other parts that ar completely unburned.

Wood and forest can have such beautiful colors. I especially like the fall, and the beautiful colors you get there. Can you spot the moose in this picture below?

Since we are on the subject of Moose, (even though the theme is wood) I thought I should share this next picture. It does include wood, as in trees. A pretty wet forest along the road system, just what moose like. There they were munching food all day probably. A pretty rare sight to see so many moose in one place.

At my dads summer house up north in Sweden we have a handmade wooden boat that turns 51 years this year.

I think that is pretty impressive. Unfortunately it is not in its best condition. But it is still beautiful.

Moving on to Porcelain. I don't have that much in porcelain. But when me and W visited my moms old job we drank coffe from some really beautiful porcelain cups.

And that will actually end this blog post. I will end with one of my favorite pictures from last summer. Some of you may already have seen this picture. Mom and dad visited Alaska and Alaska showed it's best side, with warm and colorful summer nights. Have a nice weekend, and lets hope for endless summer nights soon again.

Friday Theme, Abstract

No, I did not forget about friday theme, actually I started early (7.30) friday morning with this post, but this Friday theme was a little tricky again so I never had time to finish it before I had to go down into the lab, and yes, now its Saturday again. It seems like the weeks past so fast. This Sunday I am going to watch the start of White Mountains 100 so I might have some pictures to share next week.

Anyway, back to Friday theme which is "abstract". Sometimes when I have a hard time figuring out what to post for these friday themes I go to the dictionary to read the definition. So we are focusing on shapes, patterns, lines, the form, structure, colours and everything in between. Something that is being captured in a way it would usually not be seen. What I love the most about these themes, is that it is totally up to you how you want to present the theme, the photographers eye.

I took these pictures below when we were going down to Cantwell to backcountry ski last weekend. It was early morning and the sun was just rising and created this beautiful light. And as we approached on of many bridges I reached for my camera and snapped some pictures. It has evolved that way, cause W is always driving and he doesn't want to stop at every single pullout, so I am used to taking pictures from the window. And a lot of my really good pictures have been taken through the window in the car, in motion. Sometimes I pull down the window, but with -20 to -40 degrees, that is not always an option anyone likes.

We crossed at least two bridges, this one below is the second:

Wow, now when I think about it, I do have quite a few pictures that are abstract in their own way:

I do have a tendency to take pictures on shapes, and forms:

I love taking pictures from the plane:

Buildings often make interesting patterns:

Stairs, and also structures inside buildings:

But, nature is the best in making interesting patterns:

Flowers do a great job:

Before the storm in the watershed I work in:

Naked flower in the wintertime:

Layers of ice makes patterns when it melts:

Have great weekend, Im actually really hoping for spring soon since the temperatures again are down to 9 F...