Photos from Haninge, Stockholm and Södertörn

One of the unwritten rules of photography. If you suddenly find yourself in a blooming canola field, you have to take a selfie. I took this one on my way home from the Stegsholm farm last week. For the Theme Day at CityDailyPhoto.

Sure, it's still a few degrees below freezing and there's a pretty hard layer of snow covering the ground, but inst that the sun shining from a clear blue sky?

We had a sunny weekend. Although still way too cold for my liking. I took two bike rides and cut both of them short because of the strong wind. But there is one place at home where it is always warm and that is the corner next to the door at the stairs. So on both Saturday and Sunday that's where I spent some time warming up with coffee and cake, when I wasn't running around chasing the first Ladybug of the year. Both photos taken with the pancake lens but I did use one of my extension tubes to get a little closer.

I went for a photo walk in Handen with a friend the other day. We checked out what will be the new secondary school at the Fredrika Bremer-gymnasium, and that's where I took these two photos. The selfie was an obvious one don't you think. The top photo is from what will probably be a machine hall in the new school.

Once in a while I get puzzled about something. When that happens I look a little like this.

Grace Down Under in Perth wanted me to get the bike out. Krille in Karlstad wanted me to have one week of bicycle related posts. That didn't happen as I posted a non-bicycle related photo yesterday, but you will both be happy to know that I did go for a bike ride today. It was a bit chilly, around -6C and windy, but with a blue sky. Shot this collage along the bike path/walkway at Krigslida near the commuter station.

Arriving home yesterday after a chilly Winter promenade (-8C), I decided to shoot a couple of selfies on the snowy lawn where I had taken a few similar snaps back in October. This was the result.

Always fun to shoot self-portraits. And wide angle photos. So as I was out walking in Tungelsta yesterday I decided to try a self-portrait panorama. This is three photos stitched together. I am standing on a field near Mulsta in Tungelsta. The snow is still deep here, but it is very hard. I think it is called crust snow when it is supportable. We call it skare.

I get puzzled sometimes. Today is one of those days. Hopefully I will finish it before the world ends in a few hours time!

This will probably be my Winter look. The brother visited Iceland earlier this year. He borrowed my camera for the trip, and when he made a stop-over in Sweden before flying back home to Cyprus I got a pair of mittens and this cool laugar hat as a thank you. He also took this portrait of me.

I haven't been out much with the camera lately. It is winter, but the lack of snow makes it very dark. The sun is only up for a few hours per day and most of the time it is hidden behind grey skies. So instead of walking around in the dark I tend to spend some time in front of the computer, taking the odd self-portrait and trying to solve a puzzle or two.

No blue sky for a while now. I tend to prefer a blue sky over a grey one. Which is to say that I haven't been out shooting very much lately. But one good thing is that it has been very warm the last few weeks. At least compared to the last few years. I shot this self portrait at home a few days ago. These leaves will not be removed from the lawn. And I promise to shoot another self-portrait here when the snow arrives...

Today I will probably enjoy a Guinness or three. I will also be eating many prinskorvar. And whatever else you might find on a Julbord. Merry Christmas.

We are expecting what's called a Snow Cannon. It can hit coastal areas in early Winter. Very cold air (from Russia in this case), travels over the warmer Baltic Sea, and that difference in temperature creates a snow cloud that hits coastal areas. I live just a kilometre from the coast, so I cant wait! Thirty years ago one city in Sweden closed down totally when they had 140 centimetres of snow in a few days. Three years ago, Nynäshamn (close to my area),was hit with 50 centimetres of snow. I took a photo promenade today so that I would have some before and after the Snow Cannon pictures.

November is not my favorite month when it comes to photography. It's usually very dark and rainy. This year we have also seen two snow storms to brighten things up! Looking out the window as I'm typing this it's very grey, and a bit windy, and I'm sure it will start to rain any second. I have been toying around with PS and other software lately and here is one result of that.

How long will this go on for? The winter I mean. I'm not much of a winter sports person, so I really don't see the need for all this snow. And as the Winter Olympics are being held in Canada that's where any snow fall should be directed. I'm lobbying for an early spring. I'm hoping to influence the correct people whoever they are. Oh, and if you are wondering about the self portraits that seem to pop up every now and then, it's just something to do to get away from all the snow photos. And it's quite fun to photoshop stuff. A few years ago I did the 365 project over at flickr. This time I will only shoot a photo per week or so.

It's been a long, cold and dark winter (despite all the snow). I'm much more of a summer person. Which means that I'm a bit fed up with all things winter. And according to the meteorologist there's more of the same to come. We are expecting a few cold days, followed by a massive snow fall on Wednesday. Sounds a bit depressing. Who do you call for a blue sky and some sunshine?


(the photo shows me sitting in my reading chair in the dark, surfing the web.)

I visited the Christmas market in Västerhaninge today. Arranged by the homestead society Haninge Hembygdsgille. They served glögg (Mulled wine) and pepparkakor (Gingerbread cookies). Here you see me in the old Janstorp cottage with Anita Stjernström, one of the members of the society, she's also the author of a book about a (historical), murder story at Näringsberg. The dress that Anita is wearing is a regional costume from Österhaninge. I will show a few more photos from this event tomorrow. Cheers!

Oh, and if you are curious. This photo was taken by a woman who wanted to be known at the baker! She's the one to the left on this photo (link).

Trying my best to look cool at the 1000 year old Ådala Runestone at Hammersta in Nynäshamn. The runic inscription, translated reads something like Bjarne and Ger had the stone raised after Näsbjörn his father...the brother of Gudfinn.

This stone was damaged back in 1939 when it was found upside down on a field. The area was being developed, and as no one knew that the big rock was a runestone, they used explosives so that it could be removed from the field. There is an old ruin nearby which was the reason I visited Hammersta today, I will tell you a little about that tomorrow.

This is the amphitheatre at the Olof Palme Park in Handen. Also known as the Eskils Park. In the park you will find a fountain with artwork made by PYE Engström. Surrounding the park is a big grassy area where weather permitting you will see a lot of people picnicking, resting, walking their dogs, jogging or even watching the local cheer leading group practice. During the summer months there's sometimes a theatre play or a concert at the the amphitheatre. But on this visit the only spectator sitting there in the sunshine was yours truly. Oh, and thanks to Nanok at Metro for the mention of this blog in the paper today, much appreciated!