Notes from Norway

[Hoy]

Robert,

There you have the difference (one of the many I should say) between California and Norway: We have but one species of Mertensia while you have several! That's not fair

Glad you feel better - you don't seem to lie down much, anyway

[Lori S.]

Thanks Lori

Did you grow the Mertensia in ordinary soil or in your tufa bed? Make sense it dislike competition.

In ordinary soil.

[Robert]

Robert,

There you have the difference (one of the many I should say) between California and Norway: We have but one species of Mertensia while you have several! That's not fair

Glad you feel better - you don't seem to lie down much, anyway

Trond,

I guess you are right, I am not one to lie down much. And, yes we are very blessed to have many species of plants! It does make things very interesting. 

[ranunculus]

Just a few images from arctic Norway taken in the last few days ...

[Maggi Young]

How beautiful, Cliff - even Epilobium can be attractive  in some situations!

[ranunculus]

It appears to be everywhere in this part of the world, Maggi and looks as glorious by the fjords as it does in the Canadian Rockies.

[ranunculus]

Just a few of the hundreds of breathtaking landscapes we have encountered so far … from Tromso to Bogen and the beautiful region of Vesterålen.

[ranunculus]

The clarity of the water and the reflections have to be seen to be believed.

[Maggi Young]

Glorious, Cliff, just glorious!      What a trip you are having!

[Tim Ingram]

Breathtaking pictures Cliff! It brings back memories of going to Norway with friends many years ago - much further south. The landscapes are extraordinary and incredibly appealing, even if the long winter nights so far north must be hard. One day...

[ranunculus]

Many thanks Maggi and Tim,
We knew from reports just how beautiful arctic Norway could be, but we never expected idyllic beaches and such an abundance of flowers and berries.

Swedish Cornel or Bunchberry (Cornus suecica) is in flower in Tromso and in fruit here in Bogen.

[Hoy]

Hi Cliff,

Seen any buttercups

Very nice pictures indeed! Reminds me I should have been up north more often


You mention beaches - here is a sandy one on Andøya with searocket, Cakile maritima.

[Robert]

Cliff,

Fabulous photographs. Many remind me of Southeastern Alaska. Thank you so much for sharing them! 

Trond,

Your land is very beautiful! I have not seen any place that looks ugly. Maybe there are not as many species as California, but the scenery is awesome. What a blessing to live in such a beautiful land.

[Roma]

Wonderful pictures, Cliff.

[Hoy]

. . . .

Trond,

Your land is very beautiful! I have not seen any place that looks ugly. Maybe there are not as many species as California, but the scenery is awesome. What a blessing to live in such a beautiful land.

Robert,

I have not seen any landscape where I have been which is ugly. It is what people do to the land (and to each other) that makes a place ugly.

Your pictures show a beautiful California, no doubt of that

On the other hand you can't live of only a beautiful landscape - it is necessary to exploit some resources which almost always makes scars in the face of earth especially when the population grows and everyone crave more and more.