Bear bell Moose bell

The last weeks we have had a pretty interesting weather. Last weekend we had -40F and this weekend 8F, so definitely a roller coaster. When warm weather comes in, and cold air is still stuck in the valleys, this optical illusion is created. I don't know exactly how it works but it looks really cool.

Last Saturday I was really itching to get out skiing, since I had been away for quite a while. Even though temperature was around -36F I still ventured off.

It was awesome! I was taking a smaller, less used shortcut trail between two main trails. The trail was pretty narrow and as approached the main trail I saw a big bull moose further down the trail. He turned his head and looked at me. Which is normal, but usually they continue browsing after the see you or they walk away. I started to reverse in the ski tracks because the trail was too narrow to turn around. Still watching the moose watching me I decided that the best thing would be to take my skis off and walk back to the other main trail. As I am unclipping my skis I see in the corner of my eyes that the moose is now turning his body completely and is now facing my direction. That totally freaked me out and I grabbed my skis and started to walk/run towards the other main trail. Now the problem here was that this was a less used trail and snow was deep and unpacked, which resulted in me falling over. Luckily I never saw the moose again but I did hurt my leg. So a couple of days later I was leaving my cabin, on bike, around 7 or so in the morning. As I was getting my speed up in my driveway I look up and see half of a moose sticking out from the bushes on the side of the driveway. I have a split second to realize that I cannot get pass him without getting hurt but my speed is too fast so as I break I have to turn the bike at the same time. Almost falling off the bike, the moose hears me but luckily he was as scared of me as I was of him. Two moose encounters in one week is quite intense. They really are intimidating. And to be honest, I am more afraid of moose, than bear. But that is just me. Makes me think about getting a bell or something, just to make a little bit more noise while I am out there. We will see.

In Alaska right now, the angle of the sun can really make these incredible light shows. Really unbelievable. And also shows that it is extremely important to have sunglasses.

And still, you know me, and I just have to take pictures of mountains. Because I love them.

This weekend we went out on the lake for some skiing. We have trails really close to campus or rather right on campus so it is really nice to get away, even if it is only for 30 minutes.

And of course, skiing with friends is probably the best method to keep the moose at a distance.

Hope you guys had a warm and awesome weekend!!

In the Woods

Me and W have ventured off on a small adventure. We Drove up to northern Wisconsin and will be here for a couple of days. From a flat agricultural landscape down south, Wisconsin develops a thick and beautiful forest as you drive north. 

I need to learn all tree species here, because I hardly know any of them.

We are going to drive even further north than what we are now. Almost close to the border of Canada. It is a little bit funny, that someone from Alaska just can't get enough of the cold, snow and darkness, even on holidays :)

We have been fairly lucky with the weather, although I think the cold and snow follows me. Last year when we went to the desert it was one of the coldest winters ever, and here it has been colder and more snow than usual...

Have a nice Day :)

"Bite your Tongue, don't make a Scene Dear"

"Beautiful War"

I am on christmas holiday in Madison, WI, far far away from any mountain on the horizon. How I feel? Completely naked. You know as a photographer you are suppose to find the beauty in anything and everything, and I know that a lot of people love the pictures I take. I often tell my mom that anyone could take a picture like that, if they just had the opportunity. I think that is true. I have been here in Madison for more than a week now, and my camera still sits on the table at W's apartment. Untouched. Why? because I don't know what to take a picture of. The town? The lake? The cloudy sky? I realize how extremely lucky I am to be living in Alaska. While flying in over the midwest and Madison my stomach crunched. I looked down and wondered how it would go, how a mountain girl could possibly like this flat part of the world. There are beautiful sunsets here too, but the buildings get in the way, and W's apartment is far away from the lake, or just far enough. And W has been working and I have been at his work with him, all day, for more than a week now. So, I guess I haven't really created any photo opportunity. But I think it can grow on me, the city. I am from a city, a large city, so it shouldn't be too hard to get used to it again. And we haven't explored Wisconsin yet, and I am sure there are beautiful places. We just haven't had time to go there yet. We have until the beginning of January, when I go back to Alaska. We got a lot of things planned until then.

But, since I haven't taken any pictures yet, I will show you some pictures from Alaska. Also because I may or may not miss my Alaska.... Enjoy.

And of course, a couple of iphone pictures.. [gallery type="rectangular" ids="1653,1652,1654,1655,1656,1657,1658,1659"]