Can you sense the season changing?

Moment after the 🌧️ rain

Debbies Six Word Saturday


View to my backyard

Monday window

Visited Heinola to have lunch, our regular restaurant was full with an over hour wait, we decided to try something new.

The entrance was in the corner

The other end of the building

Well here is the window shot 😀

View from the covered patio

Capturing September Moonlit Moments

I have mostly used my phone to take photos lately as it is always available and convenient to carry around. On Thursday evening at 9 PM, I captured some beautiful moments while we left home to drive to our summer house, eagerly anticipating the relaxing weekend ahead. Our goal was to arrive there that night so we would be refreshed and ready to start our workday early on Friday. By planning this, we aimed to sidestep the afternoon traffic, which often adds unnecessary time to our trip. The other photo was taken at 10:40 PM, just as we arrived, with the warm glow of the house welcoming us.

I have to say mobile is not the best to take moon shots, but I had to try. Here are the results; I edited them in LR – not classic. I have the mobile version on my phone, which is quite handy for quick access and sharing. When I first looked at the moon through my mobile lens, it looked so huge and captivating, almost as if it were within reach. The smoke trailing from a plane nearby created an interesting contrast, and the street lamp at the end of the road nicely framed the scene, making a beautiful leading line that draws the eye toward the celestial body. It reminded me that sometimes unexpected beauty can be captured in the simplest moments.

For John’s Cellpic Sunday


This is when we reached the countryside, and the field was blanketed in a delicate mist that swirled gently around us, creating an ethereal atmosphere. The moon cast its soft glow upon the landscape, illuminating the field with a silvery light that made everything appear almost magical; plus, the car lights enhanced the scene by bringing out the subtle details in the corner of my photo, creating a perfect backdrop for the moment. I just rolled down the window and seized the opportunity to capture this sight with my camera.

if not this, what’s a sign

…of Autumn.

Asteria’s bloom in the lowlight of September reveals a tapestry of rich colors, as the leaves turn from vibrant greens to warm hues of amber and crimson, creating a stunning backdrop that enhances the beauty of these delicate flowers. Each blossom, whispering stories of the changing season. As the days grow shorter and the sun dips lower on the horizon, Asteria stands resilient, thriving in the embrace of autumn’s charm, while the world around it prepares for the stillness of winter.

For Debie´s Six Words Saturday.


Sunshine and Memories by the Water

Seven years ago, on a LOVELY DAY, just like today at Porkkalanniemi, Kirkkonummi, the sun shone brightly over the landscape, casting delightful shadows as the warmth of those cherished moments spent by the water’s edge, where laughter echoed and memories were made.

Linked to September Squares at Becky’s here



Embracing the Beauty of a September Morning

A warm September morning with mist over the fields still at seven, not yet eight :-), sun shining down gently, casting a golden hue over everything. The soft rustling of leaves , while wildflowers peek through the dew-kissed grass, adding splashes of color to the tranquil scene. Birds chirp, creating a cheerful symphony that fills the air, their sweet melodies .. As I stroll through the road, the earthy scent of damp soil creating an aroma that invigorates my senses. I can’t help but feel a deep sense of joy. This natural, simple countryside beauty, I really appreciate the little things that often go unnoticed. So pretty, just love it.

September morning – still 7 – not just yet 8 🙂

Becky’s Seven for September #20


Seven for September – 7 years ago

SevenforSeptember. NO explanation

All these squares and sevens are about; the Squares Challenge  and the theme is Seven.

Cellpic sunday – Lunch

These are typical photos we take with our mobiles. I enjoyed a Saturday lunch at a restaurant called Taivaanranta,in the center of Lahti. The meal was delicious; I savored the delicate flavors of the carefully prepared dishes, from the appetizing salad bar to the delectable main course and the tempting dessert. A charming decor, with its cozy ambiance makes the occasion more delightful. A big plus was the impeccable service – the staff was not only attentive but also incredibly friendly, making the lunch a delightful treat on a rainy September day.

Cellpic Sunday

Monochrome Madness – Sibelius Hall

My last photos are from the concert Hall where the Orchestra played a part of Sibelius Karelia Suite.

Most of the photos in this series are in Monochrome, capturing the essence and mood of the scene in a timeless black and white aesthetic. As you scroll through the collection, you’ll notice that amidst the artistic monochrome compositions, there is a solitary color photo strategically placed. This serves as a captivating contrast, a glimpse of vivid reality in an otherwise grayscale narrative. The deliberate inclusion of this color photograph is a nod to the diverse and multi-faceted nature of the experience I’m sharing. Reflecting on the captivating imagery, I found that the music shots particularly stood out in Monochrome. There’s a grandeur and timelessness to them, evoking a sense of history and significance. Do you share this perspective?

Additionally, I’ve complemented the visual story with two brief yet impactful videos capturing the music in motion. These videos serve as an immersive extension, bringing the rhythmic melodies and vibrant energy to life, inviting you to experience the music in a new dimension. They can be found at the conclusion of this post, inviting you to immerse yourself further in the ambiance and emotion of the moment.



Leanne’s Monochrome Madness challenge. 


Color version of the concert Hall
The beginning

a moment from the middle.

I filmed these with my iPhone, and the last one with cinematic video mode

Seven for September – at 7PM

SevenforSeptember. One of my fillings had come off, but I was fortunate enough to secure an appointment at the dentist for the same evening. It relieved me to know that the issue would be resolved promptly. Someone else was waiting behind the dentist’s door when I came out – the cleaning lady, who was diligently preparing the office for the following day. I had been the last patient of the day,. When I left the office at 19:35, the vibrant hues of the setting sun painted the sky.

All these squares and sevens are about; the Squares Challenge  and the theme is Seven.

As I was aiming for 7, the waiting area was empty. I leisurely took a seat and took these photos, at 19;01 hoping to distract myself from the impending dental appointment. . To my surprise, the dental team efficiently attended to the task on time, alleviating my worries. Despite my deep-seated fear of dental visits, I was happy with the prompt and efficient treatment. Childhood traumas and fears of the dentist always cloud my visits, but I am the only one facing these anxieties.

Thursday doors – 12/09/24

Any idea where these are taken, I did say I will continue. Now was a great opportunity to post some doors for Dan’s door – Yes we are at the Sibelius Hall 🙂

heading out

The Sibelius Hall, located in Lahti, Finland, is known for its stunning architecture and acoustics , where the blend of tradition and modernity is evident in every aspect of the hall’s design.

Thursday Doors 2024

All photos in the gallery can be enlarged

Seven for September

For SevenforSeptember

It seven o’clock at a Thursday morning at work

I’m sitting here watching the sun rise .

View over the roofs at 7:19

Seven for September – at 7 clock

SevenforSeptember. I took during a walk at 19:10. The sun light was soft golden hues on field This old tool caught my attention

All these squares and sevens are about; the Squares Challenge  and the theme is Seven.

MOnday window

Maybe you thought I was done with photos from Sibelius Hall in Lahti. You were wrong. And, it will continue 🙂

Sibelius Hall view to lake Vesijärvi

Monday Window: 9 September 2024

Above the hall

view towards the entrance

reflections

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Seven for September – 7 years

SevenforSeptember. I took this yesterday evening at 18:51, just before seven, but what can you do, it was not staged 🙂 after having coffee with our neighbour. The sun light was soft golden hues. Their 7 year old first grader caught my eye as she climbed a tree, her vibrant energy filling the air. To my surprise, her curious cat followed suit, making for a charming sight – a pretty girl and her feline friend perched in the branches, the embodiment of childhood adventure and companionship.

All these squares and sevens are about; the Squares Challenge and the theme is Seven.

Cellpic Sunday – September 8th

Yesterday we visited the Sibelius Hall in Lahti, it was an open door day. This is the first photo I took when entering the building. Her are two edits of the same photo.

Posted for John’s Cellpic Sunday

Seven for September – 7th

SevenforSeptember. I have been looking at posts for this challenge, but time has set limits past week. So I am now posting something I took yesterday on the 7th, after enjoying the warmth of the sauna, I was cooling down on the patio. The sun coming down on a low angle at 19:19. The soft glow of the setting sun cast a warm hue over the view I was watching. As the gentle evening breeze rustled the leaves, I couldn’t help but appreciate the tranquility of the moment.

All these squares and sevens are about; the Squares Challenge and the theme is Seven.

Lens-Artists Challenge #314 – Shorelines

This is such a challenge – well no challenge at all. I have so many shorelines from this summer that I am having trouble deciding what to post. Do I limit to one days worth of photos or from several ??? My week has been a roller-coaster of emotions to birthdays and a funeral and work on top of it. I started this post a week ago, and here I am next Saturday, still working on it. I wanted to post some of my new photos from Hailuoto, but me being me, well I do need to edit them first, but with all the all the things happening this week, here I am. Anne, I did get it done, I love this theme.

I am going to share some photos from our lake cruise through the three lakes, between the cities of Lahti – Heinola in Finland. We have for several year thought about doing this, but never got around to doing, but this summer we did.

Here are some shorelines of these three lakes; Vesijärvi is a lake of 111 square kilometres (43 sq mi) near Lahti in southern Finland. The city of Lahti is connected to Päijänne through Lake Vesijärvi and Vääksy canal. Lake Päijänne is the second largest lake in Finland (1,080 km2 (266,874 acres)). The lake drains into the Gulf of Finland via the Kymi River. And through lake Päijänne you reach Lake Ruotsalainen which is medium-sized lake  in the Kymijoki main catchment area. it is located in Päijät-Häme, near the town Heinola.



 I also love the seaside as you might know. Last weekend I visited Hailuoto for the second time.

Just to give a little information; Hailuoto is an island in Northern Ostrobothnia. It is the third largest island in Finland, known for its beautiful nature, sandy beaches and bird watching opportunities.

A small, close-knit community of about 1,000 inhabitants lives on the island, and you can get there by ferry from Oulu. We drove there with my. son and two grandsons. The day was gray, windless. We were lucky no rain


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Lighthouse

The Marjaniemi lighthouse reaches majestically into the sky. Its pale brick walls reflect bright sunlight. When I touch a building, I feel its strong foundation. Historical stories whisper in my ears.

This lighthouse has been seen as a symbol of Hailuoto since the end of the 19th century. The design of Finland’s leading architect Axel Hampus Dahlström was built and finally put into use in 1872. Since then, it has been an unusual aid to shipping.

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“From the appearance of the lighthouse, you can immediately see where Dahlström has taken his impressions,” guide points out. ” Italian architecture has had a great influence.” I would have not known this immediately 🙂

The lighthouse happens to have a so-called “Italy window”, which has been used to send signals to the sea through colors. The fact that the colors are the same as the Italian flag is just a funny coincidence. The real Italian atmosphere is created by the architecture.

The colors of the lighthouse

On the west side of the island, the low tide revealed a fascinating landscape of rocks and vibrant green grass, creating a picturesque scene against the backdrop of a multi-hued sky. The ever-changing sky displayed an array of gray tones, each one offering a unique charm when observed from different directions. Despite the shifting shades, the beauty of the scenery remained constant, providing a moody landscape. As we appreciated the enchanting surroundings, our grandkids gleefully immersed themselves in the cool waters of the Baltic sea, huge enjoying themselves.


The harbour had only few boats there at this time.

On the eastern side of the island, the shore stretched out into a beautiful expanse of grassy knolls and swaying reeds, with fields extending as far as the eye could see. The gentle breeze carried the scent of earth and sea, creating a serene and nostalgic atmosphere. The old dock was only a pile of rocks, worn down by years of relentless waves and weather. Despite its dilapidated state, it still held a certain charm, a reminder of times long gone . Over time, nature had reclaimed much of the area, with wildflowers blooming between the cracks in the stone, and seagulls nesting in the crevices. It was a place where the past and present intertwined, each telling a story of the island’s rich history.


Leaving the island this was the last photo I took. The wind turbine dominated the scene.

wind turbine at Hailuoto

Last week, John’s Cool Colors inspired us! it was great to see your beautiful interpretations of this theme even if I did not comment on them. Thank you, John, for hosting such a beautiful challenge.

This week Anne has a lovely challenge, that has unfortunately has inspired beutiful posts, but due to lack of time I have just looked at them, but no comments. Sorry for that. But life happens…

What’s up later today? It is my turn to lead us, so please visit my blog later today, Saturday 7th September. Until then, take care and and keep on smiling! I will make sure I comment on all posts linked to my blog no matter what.

If you want to know more about the Lens-Artists Challenge, please click here.

Monday window – frame the view

the windows frame the view beautifully. The gentle sway of the trees outside provides a soothing soundtrack, completing the tranquil ambiance that the windows so perfectly capture.

Monday Window: 26 August 2024

Streets of Lahti

It was a windy and cloudy day and we did not feel like barbequing so we drove to Lahti have lunch. We drove to Vuorikatu and first thing I noticed that lots of construction had been done and the sea of signs was the second thing I noticed as we got out of the car. it’s a jungle out there.

Looking down the hill you can see the ski jump hills, a landmark of the city. Behind the fence was a (Harjun koulu) school. I took a photo of the entrance. In the last two photos you can see some of the yard, and an apartment building and the tower of the Lahti City Hall

From the hill you can see to the hill on other side , (Ristin Kirkko) the Church of the Cross it is the main church in Lahti, Finland. The modernist church, completed in 1978, was one of the last design projects of the renowned Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. The first photo in the gallery below.

And then we drove up the hill to see the radio masts of Lahti an other landmark of the city

Lahti is an important radio city because of its old radio broadcasting station. The Finnish Broadcasting Company was established in 1926. It was soon found that the radio broadcasting station in Helsinki was not powerful enough. The first long wave station in Finland was built in Lahti because of the city’s central location. Built in 1927, the 150-metre-high radio towers became a landmark of the city. Lahti’s broadcasting station was inaugurated on 22 April 1928. 

The popularity of radio increased quickly in the 1930s, and it became necessary to expand coverage. In 1935, a new long-wave station was completed in Lahti (today the Radio and TV Museum Mastola) with a powerful 150 kW Marconi transmitter. In 1953, ultrashort (FM) waves and transmitters were introduced in broadcasting. In the same year, the transmitter of the Lahti long-wave (AM) transmitter was replaced. In 1958, Suomen Televisio was established and began its television broadcasting. Currently, FM and television transmission operations in Lahti are run by the Tiirismaa station, completed in 1967. 

The AM station in Lahti stopped broadcasting in 1993, as the Finnish Broadcasting Company discontinued its long-wave service.  Mastola

John’s Cellpic Sunday