Russian North

[eroman]

Russia is really one of the places I want to visit just because of the rich culture and history evident in it even at this present day and age.

All the more has it been intriguing with the recent open visit pass they granted our company to be able to try out the on site company working in Moscow.  Though I have heard of a lot of stories about the place, I would still want to give it a try.

[Lesley Cox]

Thank you so much Natalia for this new idea you have given me about the Russian north and the wonderful flora and fauna to be found there. I see on the map the name Murmansk and I have only ever associated this place with warships and frightening events in the world's history. Now it has quite a different meaning for me. I can understand how you and your family love to revisit the area frequently. I would like to go there too. I have no interest in lying on a hot, sandy beach; it would be so boring. When I tell my friends I would like to go to Siberia, they think I am mad!

[Luc Gilgemyn]

What an incredibly nice surprise Natalia !
An area I had hardly ever heard of !  So wild - so vast - so beautiful !

The scenery is great - the Beckwithia is my favourite plant in the ones you showed !

It somewhat scares me to read that there are so many minerals in these mountains...    I hope they will remain unspoilt !

[Hoy]

What an incredibly nice surprise Natalia !
An area I had hardly ever heard of !  So wild - so vast - so beautiful !

The scenery is great - the Beckwithia is my favourite plant in the ones you showed !

It somewhat scares me to read that there are so many minerals in these mountains...    I hope they will remain unspoilt !

Some of the minerals are already exploited with consequences for the surrounding areas. Although Kola is part of Russia (Murmansk oblast) it has been a part of Norwegian history since about 800AD. The old name was "Ter" and "Bjarmeland".

[Natalia]

Colleagues, thank you! I am very pleasant, that I was able to show to you even little part of beauty of the Russian north.

In Kirovsk also there is a north botanical garden - Arctic-alpine botanical garden-institute. They have magnificent collection of plants - from the Himalaya plants to the North-American plants.

Hoy, if your daughter will visit Hibiny, becoming acquainted with minerals is possible. Both in mountains and in a museum - there remarkable museum in city Kirovsk and Appatity.
Yes, Norway abuts upon the district of the river Cola, more south - already Finland:)

Now a little more the Russian North...

Blueberry
Bog on a slope
Bog on a slope_2
Cladinas
Cladonia
Cryptogramma crispa
Cryptogramma crispa_2
Cryptogramma crispa_3
Diapensia lapponica and other
Dwarf form Calluna vulgaris

[Natalia]

and more...

Geranium sylvaticum
Harrimanella hypnoides
Harrimanella hypnoides_fur of rock
Juniperus_form
Lake Goltsovoye _pink clouds
Lake in gorge
Lycopodium selago
Pass Kukisvumchorr
Pass Northern Chorrgorr_from valley

[Natalia]

and more...

Picea x fennica
River-bed of the river Partomporr
Saxifraga aizoides in brook
Two saxifrages
Valley Risjok
Viola sp

[Maggi Young]

Natalia, the photos get better and better!
The Harrimanella is quite magical.

[Natalia]

Maggi, Harrimanella in those places so wonderful, that no photo it will not pass!
North is other planet!

[Paddy Tobin]

Natalia,

Another collection of wonderful photographs, beautiful scenery and magical flowers and the Harrimanella is truly magical; I love the photograph of it dripping over the rock.

Love the first photograph - blueberries, I could eat that one.

Paddy

[David Nicholson]

Great series of images Natalia, many thanks for posting them.

[Hoy]

Natalia, it is very interesting to see your pictures! Both the landscape and the flora! I hadn't actually considered Kola peninsula as a place to visit before you showed how beautiful it is!

Natalia,

Another collection of wonderful photographs, beautiful scenery and magical flowers and the Harrimanella is truly magical; I love the photograph of it dripping over the rock.

Love the first photograph - blueberries, I could eat that one.

Paddy

Paddy, don't you call those berries bilberry? (Vaccinium uliginosum)?

[Luc Gilgemyn]

 
Utterly amazing !

[Graham Catlow]

Another stunning set of photos. Such wonderful scenery and plants.
The bog is very attractive. The Cladonia and Harrimanella are my favourites.
Thanks Natalia

[Lesley Cox]

I was wondering which species the first blueberry was, so it is Vaccinium ulignosum? And I like too the very low and compact Calluna. Another grreat show for us all. Thank you Natalia.