FIBRANT COLORS

Sunrise 07.10 - Sunset 18.32

+13°C

After weeks, even months of earth colors, or just black and white and all greys in between, fibrant colors have returned. And one of the first flowers with fibrant colors is the Crocus.

SIGNS OF SPRING

Sunrise 07.12 - Sunset 18.31

+11°C

The last days the signs of spring are visible everywhere. Two days ago a flog of 8 Crane flew by. First I heard the typical trumpet sound of Cranes and then I saw them gaining height and heading east in typical V-shape formation. A special moment and the first time ever I saw them above our home. Yesterday tree storks flew by with majestic black and white wings.

Today the forest was full of singing birds like the Song Trush, Blackbirds and Great Tits. Above a small field a Marsh Harrier was searching for prey. At the edge of the same field a Red-backed Shrike in the top of a tree, the first one arrived from the south. And a Willow was starting to blossom with soft, fur-like flower buds. Signs of spring all over.

NIGHT FROST

Sunrise 07.19 - Sunset 18.25

+7°C

After a clear night, night frost is covering everything out of reach of early sunshine. The bushes and grasses have a blanket of icy crystals, light appears to be blue. The shadow side of the tree line. At the east side of trees, into the sun everything looks warm colored, night frost has vanished.

In the trees a great tit is singing its territorial song. Powerful and daring, warning others and luring a congener to mate.

FIRST LEAVES - 03 march 2013

Sunrise 07.21 - Sunset 18.23

+4°C

Slowly but steadily the forest will awake from its cold sleep. First leaves appear from there save capsules. Honeysuckle and elderberry are the bravest and take the chance to receive first sunlight. But they have to be brave (or early) because they life there lives under huge trees and it is just a matter of time before the leaves of trees take the sunlight and put them into shade…

ROE DEER

Sunrise 07.26 - Sunset 18.20

+4°C

Encounters with animals are often unexpected. Unless you are a biologist, hunter or someone else who is looking for certain species. But if you are just hiking, experiencing everything you see, an encounter with animals is exciting. This morning some roe deer crossed my path, well not literally. They were grazing in a field at the edge of the forests. An amazing site. But so was the woodpecker. Who was sitting in the top of a tree. What a wonderful beginning of a rather grey day.

CRESTED TIT

Sunrise 07.32 - Sunset 18.14

+4°C

Some days are sad and grey. Wandering through the forest seems not very inspiring until you meet some small animals, some birds. They travel in groups, foraging the trees, the bushes, the branches. And they do not taken any interest in your presence. Although it seems that way, when you approach and the distance becomes less then 4 or 5 meters they fly away. Just a few meters but still. They are very energetic and always searching for food.

Snow is melting and grasses appear. Still in rest but if you look very close you can see some new blades of grass. It is only a matter of time before the forest awakes.

ICE SCULPTURES - 21-02-2013

Sunrise 07.43 - Sunset 18.05

At the edge of a small waterfall ice encloses everything within its reach. Ice sculptures arise. Wonderful small wonders of nature, encapsulated, special and sparkling like diamonds. Natures treasures are abundant when you appreciate it, see it, touch it. Use all of your  senses and experience.