123 :: December Scenery

Jaana: December has been quite mild and cloudy and overall a dark month, but yesterday's Winter Solstice means that daylight starts increasing again. Today the length of day is 3h 34m, sunrise at 10:29 AM, sunset at 2:03 PM.

Kia: December has been very wet and yet unseasonably warm. Today the length of day is 6h 59m, sunrise at 8:46 AM, sunset at 3:45 PM.

A reminder of how our sceneries looked like in November, October, September, August, July, June, May, April, March, February and January.

Hyvää Joulua! Buon Natale! Merry Christmas!

Thank you all for your visits, comments and shared photos throughout the year. It's been fun, as always, to show you the similarities and differences between Finland and Scotland with our photos. Time for a break for the holidays now, but we'll see you again in 2014.

With our best wishes for a joyous holiday season and a happy New Year,
Jaana & Kia

122 : November Scenery

Jaana: For the most part November was grey and wet, but towards the end of the month we got a proper snow cover. Now just wait and see if it's here to stay. Today the length of day is 4h 59m, sunrise at 9:36 AM, sunset at 2:35 PM.

Kia: Many colorful autumn leaves are still clinging on, but I can hear Jack Frost knocking at the backdoor. Today the length of day is 7h 37m, sunrise at 8:16 AM, sunset at 3:53 PM.

A reminder of how our sceneries looked like in October, September, August, July, June, May, April, March, February and January.

We're curious to see how November looked like in your neck of the woods, so do share with us by leaving a link to your photo in our comments box!

121 :: October Scenery

Jaana: First frost and snow of the season arrived in October, and also went away again. Today the length of day is 8h 01m, sunrise at 7:49 AM, sunset at 3:50 PM.

Kia: This month, the fall foliage helped me bear with the chilly and blustery weather. Today the length of day is 9h 21m, sunrise at 7:20 AM, sunset at 4:41 PM.

How did October look like in your corner of the world? Do share by leaving a link to your photo!

A reminder of how our sceneries looked like in September, August, July, June, May, April, March, February and January.

We have been posting so actively for the past few months, up to three themes a week, that now we need a little break to recharge and gather new inspiration. We'll be back with more frequent posts as soon as possible, but for now we'll only post these monthly scenery shots. Enjoy and have a happy (snappy) day!

120 :: Feathered Friends

Jaana: Hooded Crows are one of the most familiar feathered friends found in Finland.

Kia: The Chaffinch is common and widespread throughout Scotland, except in the largely treeless areas of some of the remoter islands, such as the Outer Hebrides and Shetland, where it is scarce or absent.

117 :: Yellow Leaves

Jaana: Yellow leaves on a Norwegian Maple by the City Hall.

Kia: The yellow leaves of a Japanese Acer on a sunny afternoon.

114 :: Red Berries

Jaana: Sunkissed red berries of a Crab Apple tree.

Kia: In Gaelic folklore, the native Hawthorn, also known as the Faerie Tree, marks the entrance to the otherworld. The berries are commonly made into jellies, jams and syrups, and used to make wine or to add flavour to brandy.

112 :: September Scenery

Jaana: The start of September was sunny and warm, but the month ended with cloudy and rainy days and plummeted temps. Today the length of day is 11h 28m, sunrise at 7:23 AM, sunset at 6:51 PM.

Kia: The weather this month has been rubbish, but this last weekend has been surprisingly sunny and warm. Today the length of day is 11h 44m, sunrise at 7:15 AM, sunset at 6:59 PM.

How did September look like in your corner of the world? Do share by leaving a link to your photo!

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

109 :: Rowan

Jaana: Unlike last year, there's hardly been berries on rowan trees this fall. Instead their foliage is spectacularly colorful.

Kia: The Yellow-berried Rowan (Sorbus Joseph Rock) has its branches adorned with bountiful jewel-like berries. They are very attractive to fruit-eating birds, and this is reflected in the old name "bird catcher".

105 :: Apples

Jaana and Kia: What's your favourite apple pie recipe?

101 :: Bales

Jaana: It's rare that you see anything but fodder bales overhere these days.

Kia: It's harvesting time in the fields around Aberlour and a tractor is making the single bale wrapper work.

99 :: August Scenery

Jaana:  August continued to treat us with sunny days and warm weather. It's been such a beautiful summer. Today the length of day is 15h 10m, sunrise at 5:43 AM, sunset at 8:53 PM.

Kia: August has been mainly cloudy, but everyone is still trying to enjoy the last few days on summer. Today the length of day is 14h 10m, sunrise at 6:14 AM, sunset at 8:24 PM.

How did August look like in your corner of the world? Do share by leaving a link to your photo!

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

84 :: Path

Jaana: A typical path/forest road leading through the woods.

Kia: A cliff-top path overlooking Dunnottar Castle, a spectacular ruined medieval coastal fortress. Raindrops on my camera lenses included.

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!

76 :: April Scenery

Jaana: Suddenly there is no snow in sight (apart from a few odd piles here and there), but we're still waiting for some fresh, new green to show up. Today the length of day is 16h 40m, sunrise at 4:56 AM, sunset at 9:36 PM.

Kia: It has been raining regularly for the past few weeks with just a few sunny spells, and the weather is still colder than it should be at this time of year. Today the length of day is 15h 10m, sunrise at 5:40 AM, sunset at 8:50 PM.

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

72 :: March Scenery

Jaana: Daily sunshine and melting snow, that’s what March was made of. Today the length of day is 13h 30m, sunrise at 6:26 AM, sunset at 7:56 PM.

Kia: March has been colder than January and February, with weather more akin to winter: ice, snow and severe wind-chill. In the past few days the sun has made brief appearances, and hopefully nature will bloom again soon. Today the length of day is 13h 03m, sunrise at 6:50 AM, sunset at 7:53 PM.

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

69 :: Looking Up (A Bare Tree)

Jaana: Looking up an old, and still very bare, birch tree with polypores growing on its trunk.

Kia: Some of the trees in our area have little green buds, some have already the first blossoms, but many have still bare branches.

68 :: Branches This Weekend

Jaana: Our trees might still be bare of leaves, but something's growing on some anyways.

Kia: You know spring has finally sprung when the buds on the trees start to burst open with tiny flowers.

63 :: January Scenery

Jaana: In a nutshell, January has been beautiful! Today the length of day is 6h 19m, sunrise at 9:09 AM, sunset at 3:29 PM.

Kia: Everything looks more beautiful when covered by a soft blanket of fresh snow. Today the length of day is 8h 20m, sunrise at 8:20 AM, sunset at 4:40 PM.

60 :: Snow

Jaana: Winter has arrived with snow and cold temps (-23°C/-9.4°F at the time of this shot) that often bring along sunshine.

Kia: The first Sunday of Advent has brought us into full winter, with sleet and snow.

57 :: River

Jaana: Oulujoki basking in the golden light of November.

Kia: Enjoying the last patches of autumn colors on the banks of the White Cart Water. This is one of the narrowest points of its bed.