Tåkern 150510 third and last day

Tåkern 150508-10

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© NF Photos 150510

Today we started with breakfast t 6.00h.  We also took some with us as the morning would be long. No break before lunch at 12.00h. Even I took an egg, fruit and coffee. 

Then we were picked up at 7 for the first nature walk at Svälinge. Here we were divided in two groups. One went straight to the tower and the other one followed a longer path along a ditch to the tower. There was some obstacles, in form of fences,  to overcome during the walk. 

The water filled ditch functions as a water regulator to Tåkern.  It regulate the water level in the Tåkern and empties in Lake Vättern.  It was a nice walk along the water with reed on the other side and with forest and wetland on the side we walked. Lots to see and hear. Some migrating birds already here singing in trees and reed. But rarely seen.

Sedge warbler, (Sävsångare) singing in the reed

Finally we arrived at the birding tower. The highest one around Tåkern. It seemed rather old too. 

From the highest deck it was a really great view. And those who came here first did not seem to want to leave :) And, of course,  a group photo was taken. 

Western marsh harrier ( brun kärrhök) with prey to the right

Lots of reed here as well so the clear water was rather distant. 

At 10 we left for Naturrum Tåkern where we were for a while yesterday. Today we was lucky as it was some birding event and we were shown a banding session. 

One is Sedge warbler,(sävsångare) The other I´m not sure. Quite different in size. 

Then we got the tour in side the main building and also a movie from the area. One quite unique thing they have is a selection of small wood carved birds. One for every bird ever sighted in this area. And it is a woman creating them. The guide seemed very proud of them. So far 276 species has been seen here. A little more then a hundred breeds here. For Shadow shot!

Lunch at 12, the same place as yesterday. Now the sky started to darken and people choose to sit inside. 

At 13.00h we were picked up for the last tour. 

This time to the town Vadstena.  The same place I visited on my way down. We were to look for a rare gull, swallows and a Black redstart (svart rödstjärt) that seem to nest on the roof of the castle. And we found all of them. 

A Glaucous gull (vittrut) has been staying in the little harvor for a couple of weeks. 

A great day. Now back to the hostel for cleaning the room and get back on the road. Direction - home!

O, I almost forgot, our group was also interviewed of the local radio and TV station. I did see some of it on TV too. TV news  I´m actually seen in the first scene but only from behind, with a yellow backpack. If you are interested. this is my native language spoken.  :)  At Vadstena Castle.

The entry to Tåkern Naturrum

Sky Watch Friday
Image for Shadow Shot Sunday is the wall with 276 wooden birds :)

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Labels:    Resor, travel, trip, journey, Sverige, Sweden, sky, photo, photography, Monica Johansson, NatureFootstep, nfphoto, NF_photo, nature, natur, fågelskådning, birding, resa, travel,  Glaucous gull, Sedge warbler, Svälinge, sävsångare, Tåkern, Vadstena, vittrut, Western marsh harrier, fence, staket, shadow, skugga

150305 Varanger Norway, Katrineholm to Gardermoen. Oslo

Varanger, Norway 150305-150311 

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© NF Photos 150305

I woke up at 6 and started to get everything ready for departure.  My daughter wrote me that there were trouble with SJ, the trains, now. I´m going nuts L I don´t really want any more trouble after the plane got grounded. (Norwegian pilots on strike)  But it turned out ok and I could go with the bus and train as scheduled.  I had window seat but dirty windows. Sun shining.

In the seat in front of me 2 young women was travelling. Both with computers and rarely spoke. Unless they talked about something on the screens.  In fact almost everybody on the train was sitting with computers and, or, phones. 

I had prepared my meal for today and ate  a little before I arrived at Oslo S around 14,15h.

 I walked around for a bit to investigate how to behave when I shall return. Toilet cost money of  course. I did not want to exchange money for the few days of this trip. But I could buy something for the EURO I brought with me and that way get some coins.  I found the place where to buy tickets for the return ride. But the timetable was not great. Either an early bird or a night owl.

I had planned to stay 2h in Oslo but it seemed so boring, overcast weather and large streets in the nearby area,  so I took the bus to the airport. Did not really matter if I was bored in Oslo or the Gardermoen airport. 

On the bus to Gardermoen Airport I spotted some cool buildings. They would have been worth exploring I think.  Image taken from inside the bus. The driver called them "Bar Code buildings" or something like that. 

I was quite amazed by this set of indoor clouds. Looked cool. 

Now I´m writing and I found out a while ago I can check in the bag so I don´t have to worry about it during the night.

I always sleep on a bench at airports, it became a habit as planes always go early in the morning. But the chairs meant for resting in Gardermoen was located at the tunnels where to exit the airport and it was cold . Later on I found another place to stay until morning and the time to go through security.  Everything went well and I met with the group. 

Thirsty or hungry? You can always get a drink and something to eat in Gardermoen :)

Varanger on NF Photo  NF Birds around the world   Varanger on NF Bildverkstan

Linking up with: Weekend Reflection   Sky Watch Friday    WATW

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140905-07 Stockholm Arlanda to Cairns A VERY long day

Queensland, Australia 2014-09-05--09-25

140905-07 Stockholm Arlanda to Cairns  a VERY long day or shall I say three very short ones.

We started out from my hometown by car at 9.30h on friday morning, 140905, and arrived at Cairns at 04.15h on Sunday 140907. First stop was London  and the second one Hong Kong. Hours spent in the air: Arn-London 2h 40 min, London-Hong Kong 12 h and Hong Kong Cairns 7h.

A lot of time is also spent waiting. Waiting on Terminals to be able to Check In and then to pass Security before finding the GATE. Being who I am I can´t resist clicking where that is allowed. And that means....no clicking in Security. They would steel your camera and put you in jail.

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We arrived at Cairns airport at 04,15h hours. Going through costumes was annoying in a way. I was searched in costums and secutity 5 times during the trip and sniffed on twice. Nobody thinks the costums before theirs do a good job. L and I wonder why I´m going through this. Well, at least I was happy when it was finally done and we could go out to join our local guide for the first week.

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Taking a break at Lake Mälaren. Sweden,  on the way to Arlanda airport

Somebody likes squares at Arlanda Terminal 2

At London airport they had this restaurant that I liked. If I was hungry I would eat there. The center of the table was moving with lots of different dishes. Take your pick and then pay. Another shot HERE  Made me wonder...what is reflections and what is not?   Weekend Reflection
© NF Photos 140905

This is probably not Himalaya but somewhere north of it. Took it at early morning. What ever that is on a trip like this. Everyone seemed to sleep but me.

Part of Hong Kong in afternoon light

A beautiful woman selling perfumes I think. In the Terminal at Hong Kong Airport

Last stop, Cairns at 04,15h. Nowadays you can follow the flight in real time. Not so easy to read this flight path though.  :)
© NF Photos 140906

End of first part of the trip for now! Hotel next.

Travel Photo Thursday  Sky Watch Friday (first image)

Australia on NF Photo  NF Australian birds   NF Memes  NF World

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130825 Hanauma Bay

Honolulu 130811-130902
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© NF Photos 130825  Sunday

130825 Hanauma Bay

Woke up early, the newly wed couple (Danish/Portuguese) and others still sleeping so I left on tiptoe. Went to the beach and to my surprise a lot of actions going on. The last of Dukes festival I assume. Back at the Hostel one guy is cooking, and cooking a whole lot of food. For breakfast? On that poor piece of machinery called a stove? Amazing! He too has a girlfriend staying here. Her heritage seem to be some of the natives of America.

Waikiki Beach

Today we are going to Hanauma Bay Nature Reserve. Acc to my granddaughter I have to join the group on bus 22. Same as yesterday it turned out but not that much people. I found them straight away. This is the remains of a crater and there was lots of coral reeves in there. A bit difficult to take a swim as you were not allowed to touch the corals. We had to attend a lecture before we were allowed to go down to the beach. It was interesting. And it was hot. So swimming was necessary. Tried to take some pics but it did not work really. I was a bit disappointed of the beach. The corals was not the colorful ones and not much fish. The place was very nice from the rim though. But I´m glad they take care of it. As a photographer I was most pleased of a woman taking a shower. 

I was given a towel for the beach. Very beautiful and to my surprise the sand don´t get caught in it. 

At five we took the bus back to Waikiki where we had dinner in a restaurant and then watched the setting sun before the gang headed back to the house. I stayed for a while listening to the music. 

Hanauma Bay to teh left.

Waikiki to the right

Our World Tuesday    Travel Photo Mondays 

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120706 Skottland-Scotland OBAN

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NF Photos 120706

I took these shots a year ago on my trip to Scotland. I meant to post the shadow shot for a year now. It is finally time to do it don´t you think? It is almost a one year anniversary.  And I still like the shot.

Shadow Shot Sunday    Weekend reflection

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