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.

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.

75 :: At The Botanical Gardens

Jaana: Argentinian Bonnet Orchid in the greenhouse of tropical and subtropical plants at the Oulu Botanical Gardens. (Love those old tags.)

Kia: Fuchsias in one of the glasshouses at Glasgow Botanic Gardens.

74 :: Looking Up (A Building)

Jaana: The sun playing with shadows on the brick wall of the Oulu Museum of Art.

Kia: Fyvie Castle dates back to the 13th century and is the finest example of Scottish Baronial architecture.

73 :: Clock Tower

Jaana: The Oulu Cathedral was built in 1777, but the wood structures burned in the Oulu fire in 1822. The renovated church was completed in 1832, but the 56.5 meters tall bell tower wasn't erected until in 1845. The Cathedral is an example of Neoclassical architecture.

Kia: The turreted steeple clock tower by the Tolbooth Tavern in Canongate, Edinburgh. Erected in 1591, the Tolbooth served as council meeting chamber, courtroom and prison. It was one of three essential features in a Scottish Burgh, along with the mercat cross (market cross) and the kirk (church).