April 2017 in the northern hemisphere

[WimB]

Disporum bodinieri
Ficaria verna 'Wisley Double White'
Morisia monanthos

[Robert]

Trond,

Moose in Norway!    I learn something new all of the time.

How often do you see moose when you are out hiking in the mountains? We do not have moose in California, however I have been told that they can be aggressive at times. Is this true? I do see Elk in the Northern Coastal Mountains. They may be large, but they do not seem aggressive. When I was in South Dakota a tourist was chased by a bison. The fool went into a meadow to photograph the bison close-up and it chased the man into a river. I guess the bison got the last laugh on that one! 

It looks like spring is slowly arriving to the mountains of Norway too!

[Philip Walker]

Pulsatilla vernalis
Phlox 'Tiny Bugles'
Ranunculus ficaria 'Brazen Hussy'
Anemonella thalictroides 'Oscar Schoaf'
Anemonella thalictroides 'Rosea'

[David Nicholson]

Nice set of pictures Philip. I notice you have your Anemonella in pots, is this by choice or do you not have the right conditions in your garden?

[astragalus]

David, I second your question. They are so lovely and easy in the garden.

[Philip Walker]

David and Astragalus-We are a bit dry here,but I could create the right place.Really,it's to try to get some show plants. 

[Hoy]

Trond,

Moose in Norway!    I learn something new all of the time.

How often do you see moose when you are out hiking in the mountains? We do not have moose in California, however I have been told that they can be aggressive at times. Is this true? I do see Elk in the Northern Coastal Mountains. They may be large, but they do not seem aggressive. When I was in South Dakota a tourist was chased by a bison. The fool went into a meadow to photograph the bison close-up and it chased the man into a river. I guess the bison got the last laugh on that one! 

It looks like spring is slowly arriving to the mountains of Norway too!

Moose/European elk (Alces alces) is very common in all Norway except at the west coast and some places in the north. During daytime they are hiding so I don't see them as often as I wish, but we cross their paths and tracks very often. The best time to look for them is very early in the morning. In winter they are usually down in the valleys but in spring some of them come up here looking for food where the snow has melted. They are especially fond of rowan trees and pines browsing the young twigs. When the males are in a rut they may be aggressive but the most dangerous ones are probably cows with calves.

We have muskoxen at Dovre. They look very sedate but can be very swift. Tourists often come too close (like you describe) and may be hurt when an animal attacks.

[Robert]

Trond,

In California, the elk have the same general habits; they are active in the morning and late in the day, and generally rest and hide during the day.

Our deer migrate from high in the mountains to lower elevations in the autumn as the snow begins to fall. I do not know much about our elk.

[Leena]

It is snowdrop season here now, and the first unnamed Crocus chrysanthus are open.
Nights are still below 0C, and days between +5- +10C.

[Hoy]

Leena,

your plants look so nice and healthy!

[Robert]

Leena,

I agree, your plants look so healthy. Do you have to deal with slugs? I had some acquaintances in coastal Maine. Even with there cold winters slugs could be a huge problem!

Trond,

Earlier in this thread I wrote about Azalea 'Idi's Laugh'. The "d" should be an "ed". I my key board does not seem to do old Norsk letters. Any ideas?

[Leena]

Thank you Trond and Robert.
I have slugs and snails in the garden, but because of the cold they are not active yet, and so there is no damage to early flowers.
On the other hand, voles and field mice are pests which can eat my flowers, even Galanthus sometimes (but not often), and I can't do anything about them. This year there is a tawny owl nesting about 100 meters from our house, and I hope there are enough food (voles and mice) for their babies, so I don't mind this year about voles eating my flowers.

[Robert]

Leena,

I had a huge problem with voles up at our farm. I trapped them and our farm cat caught many. One year we had a contest between the cat and I to see who would catch more voles. We both caught more than 100 voles and it didn't seem to dent the vole population. Then the raptors moved in, owls and hawks. Day and night terror for the voles! They were effective in controlling the voles, especially when we cleared out there hiding places of overgrowth. I don't think one can ever get rid of them, however the predators seem the best solution.

So, I know what you mean, "I can't do anything about them". My wife and I like the raptors and the voles seem to attract them! 

[Gabriela]

It is snowdrop season here now, and the first unnamed Crocus chrysanthus are open.
Nights are still below 0C, and days between +5- +10C.

I am glad the spring finally begins for you Leena The snowdrops are coming to an end here but still some Crocus flowering. Corydalis are just starting and Dicentra sp. are
showing up.
Lamprocapnos spectabilis

[Hoy]

Nice colour, Gabriela.
Reminds me of peonies in the spring.

Nothing exotic up here.

Noccaea caerulescens




Ajuga pyramidalis




Pulsatilla vernalis




Last year's Centaurea scabiosa