80 :: May Scenery

Jaana: Spring took so long to arrive this year that it hardly had gotten here when summer already stepped in. Today the length of day is 20h 2m, sunrise at 3:03 AM, sunset at 11:06 PM.

Kia: The early-starting but slow-developing spring of this year has provided us with an unusual flower display for the end of May. Today the length of day is 16h 55m, sunrise at 4:47 AM, sunset at 9:42 PM.

A reminder of how our sceneries looked like in April, March, February and January.

Today marks the start of our second year with Finland vs Scotland, so happy 1st anniversary to us! As always, we'd love to see your take on the themes as well, so keep posting your links in the comments to share bits and bobs of your country with us, will you. Your suggestions for future themes are also welcome (scroll down the page for a list of labels to find out what we've already done). If there is something particular you'd like us to show you about Finland and Scotland, do let us know and we'll try to make it happen.

Thank you for stopping by! Happy June ahead, everyone!

79 :: Daffodils

Jaana: Summery weather rolled in this week causing the nature to burst into life in the blink of an eye. One of the latest bloomers are these cheery yellow daffodils.

Kia: Daffodils are the closest you can get to "sunshine on a stick"! So cheerful, especially with the gloomy wet weather we are having. Daffodils in May are a first for me. They have slowly started blooming at the end of February and are still at their best.

78 :: Nature's Rebirth

Jaana: I spotted the first sprouting plants pushing through the soil on April 21st, but it wasn't until last Sunday, which is when I saw these budding Siberian Squills, when I was convinced that nature was finally being reborn even in our little corner of the world.

Kia: The rebirth of nature started in early February this year, with crocuses and snowdrops popping out all around town and being in full bloom already on February 15th.

77 :: Catkins

Jaana: We call catkins pajunkissa, "cats of the willow". Picture shot on April 25th.

Kia: Big soft woolly catkins are one of the first and most welcomed signs of spring, usually beginning to appear in mid-March. Picture shot on April 11th.