Monochrome: Lakeside Reflections and an Autumn Porch

A week with no particular theme for Monochrome Madness. So I had two choices, totally different, other than that they are both in monochrome – or black and white. One of them you might remember from a recent post, and I wanted to let you see how it converted to B&W – I thought it worked really well and gained a slightly different mood.

This is how I would describe the first image: A quiet black-and-white scene opens onto a still lake, its surface edged by a rocky, forested shore. Tall pines and slender birches rise along the right, while the far woods soften and disappear into a pale, overcast mist. The water lies glassy and mute, holding the trees and sky in a dim reflection. To the left, a small dock and, nearer the viewer, a single fishing float offer the slightest trace of human presence. The pared-back tones and unhurried composition leave the image hanging in a contemplative, almost hushed mood.

The mood is different in them the other image shows a calm lake bordered by a rocky, forested shoreline of tall pine and birch trees. The glassy water reflects the dense woodland in long vertical patterns, while a small dock extends into the lake on the left and a floating marker sits in the foreground. Soft mist or haze lightens the distant trees and bright sky, creating a quiet, minimalist atmosphere.

The third photo is a set of stairs leading to an inviting porch in autumn, full of texture and gentle light. Which is your preference, and what draws you more: the familiar image transformed, or the quiet promise of that autumn porch, mayne with some candles in lovely lanterns?

A black-and-white view of a weathered wooden porch, framed by ornate columns and leading up to a quiet double do

A Warm, Book-Filled Café

This café I visited feels more like a home than a café. It is so inviting and cozy, filled with the warmth and character of a well-loved, lived-in home, the kind of place where you instantly want to sit down, relax, and stay a while.

Sharing these images from some time back with Monday Window: 28 September 2026. Hope you all have a great week.

A woman in a straw hat sits beside an open window of a weathered white house, with bookshelves visible inside.
A cozy, book-filled dining room glows with warm pendant light beside an open window and a tea-set table. I did too edits of this photo the other is set as a header.
A warmly lit Cafe interior opens onto a cozy dining room filled with books, glassware, and vintage furnishings.

Autumn Light on the Forest Path

I took these this morning, first sunny day in a week, it was so welcome sight. This path leads to my summer house, sharing them with Johns Cellpic Sunday

A sunlit autumn path winds through a colorful birch and evergreen forest.

Silent Sunday

A winding dirt path leads through a lush autumn forest beneath a dark sky. This what the past week has been. Drizzle, rain, cloudy – lousy.

Storm clouds over Finnish railway station

Dramatic storm clouds part over a rail-lined parking area as sunlight breaks through the rain.

Six Word Saturday

Capturing Seasonal Colors: Autumn

As Autumn approaches in the Northern Hemisphere and Spring arrives in the Southern, it is the perfect time to celebrate fresh blossoms and new foliage—and I am here to capture them in photographs.

Delicate dried wildflower umbels glow in warm sunlight against a softly blurred green and golden woodland background.

Participating TheFlowerHour#49

Still Water 

I was on a quiet autumn lakeshore, hands stuffed in my pockets because the air’s a bit colder than I expected. The water is almost completely still, like it can’t decide whether to move or not. It looked so beautiful. Rocks and a wall of dark green pines wrap around the bay, and here and there the birch trees have turned this bright, gold that really stands out against the evergreens. The low sun is coming in from the side, turning parts of the lake into streaks of warm amber, but other patches just look flat and gray. The grasses along the edge have that same soft, rusty light in them. There’s a tiny red fishing float right in front of me, barely moving, and off to the left a small, plain dock sits there under a pale blue‑gray sky.

A tranquil autumn lakeshore reflects golden birch trees, evergreen pines, and a bright red fishing float in still water.

Festival of Leaves

An Unexpected Moment of Golden Light

A sunlit forest trail winds through evergreen trees and golden autumn leaves.

Participating in Six Word Sunday

Under Dark Clouds: Aronia, Cinquefoil and Hostas Still Shine

I am more bound to stay inside than go out in the rain, if I don’t have to. I am not a Brit who is so used to it. There was a pause from it and a moment of sunshine from behind the clouds. I took myself out to take photos of the few flowers left blooming this time of the year, mid-September. The black aronia berries were already dark and glossy, with raindrops clinging to them like tiny glass beads. The scrubby cinquefoil was still bravely holding on to a few small yellow blossoms, a bit battered but somehow charming in their stubbornness. Even the hostas, mostly past their best by now, looked refreshed, their broad leaves collecting little pools of water and reflecting the shy light. Raindrops on the ones I took after the rain are a nice added effect.

A bee gathers nectar from a rain-speckled white blossom surrounded by fresh green leaves.
Delicate white blossoms glisten with raindrops against a softly blurred green background.

Shrubby cinquefoil (botanical name Dasiphora fruticosa) formerly known as Potentilla fruticosa).

I googled these, a variety with creamy white or pale yellow flowers with a yellow center (such as the varieties ‘Primrose Beauty’ or ‘Limelight’)
Delicate white rose hips glisten with raindrops among lush green leaves.

Rosehips with droplets

A delicate pale rosebud glistens with raindrops amid lush green foliage and vivid red rosehip berries.
Raindrops glisten on delicate hostas against a lush green garden backdrop.

Aronia or Clusters of black chokeberries

Clusters of black chokeberries glisten with raindrops among vibrant green and pink-tinged leaves. Aronia.Aronia.
Vivid crimson and magenta aronia leaves cluster among dark berries and lush green foliage.

Dark Clouds Over a Peaceful Country Home

Just some dark clouds from yesterday, drifting in from the horizon like a slow-moving curtain. For a while it looked like they might swallow the whole sky. we watched them roll and build on themselves, a little in awe until they finally circled around us and moved on, leaving us with nothing but a moody sky and a big sigh of relief. Norain just amazing color in the sky against the sunlit trees

Sunlit trees frame a peaceful rural yard beneath a dramatic blue sky, with a red house nestled among the forest.

The Lush Forests of Aavasaksa

How enchanting is this vibrant northern forest scene, embraced by tall pine and birch trees beneath a breathtaking blue sky adorned with fluffy white clouds! The lush green undergrowth and young conifers harmoniously blend with Aavasaksan hill, celebrated for its strikingly rugged terrain. This unique landscape tells a story of ancient eroded beaches and rugged formations looming above. As you ascend to the higher elevations, the resilient vegetation mirrors the tenacity of harsh pine forests and rocky woodlands, filled with hardy dwarf shrubs like bilberry, lingonberry, and heather, alongside a rich variety of mosses and lichens—most notably, the delicate reindeer lichen. In the foreground, you’ll find exposed rocks and a narrow rocky path, while a prominent dead and bare tree stands in poignant contrast to the flourishing woodland that envelops it. The verticality of the composition and its vibrant, natural hues invoke a deep sense of connection to the wild, dramatic wilderness all around us.

A lush forest trail winds through pine trees and green undergrowth beneath a sky filled with clouds.
A striking dead tree rises through a lush forest beneath a sky filled with white clouds.

View from Korkee

Up on a hill

Participating in Monochrome Madness

Ducks at the Dock

Several ducks lounge on a weathered wooden dock,
Rippling reflections dance on the surface wide, scattered highlights whisper as they glide.

As summer fades, autumn’s arrival creates space Several ducks relax on a timeworn wooden dock,
where tranquil, deep teal waters gently sway.
Rippling reflections dance on the surface wide, scattered highlights whisper as they glide.
In this serene domain, a warm green-blue hug,
a drake gazes outward, a dignified brown visage.
Nature’s silent moments,
in the essence of peace, life flows with ease.

It Feels Like Autumn

We’ve mostly been at the summer house lately, with so much happening there, and we’ve been driving back and forth to home. Because of this, sightseeing at home has been almost nonexistent. However, we did pass by this beautiful countryside view that I usually can’t resist photographing, and this time was no different. We also spotted some cows—another one of those things I love to pause and admire, maybe even snap a pic.

Golden harvested fields stretch beneath dramatic storm clouds, with green hills and autumn trees on the horizon.
Three Hereford cattle graze peacefully in a lush green pasture beneath a clear blue sky.

Participating in John’s Cellpic Sunday

Lingonberries the Nutrient-rich “Nordic superberry”

I photographed these yesterday as they grow in my yard! If you don’t know about them, lingonberries are packed with vitamins C and E, tons of dietary fiber, and some awesome antioxidants. Plus, they keep pretty well because they have natural benzoic acid, so I can smash them up and they’ll stay fresh for ages without needing sugar or freezing. To be honest, I usually don’t bother doing that since they’re not my favorite, and there aren’t enough of them to make it worthwhile.

Lingonberries from my yard
Bright red lingonberries nestle among green foliage and copper-toned autumn leaves. Edited version.

Participating in Debbies Six Word Saturday

Plane Over Urban Landscape

Driving home on Sunday, I couldn’t believe my eyes – there were so many planes landing! I’ve driven this road countless times, yet I had never seen anything like it in the 10 km stretch past the airport. One plane flew right over us, perfectly framed against the bright sunlight, and I just had to snap a photo. I could see a Finnair passenger plane gliding across the deep blue sky, its landing gear down, clearly heading for the airport. Below it was this blue building, topped with a tall white tower that had bold red bands and a cool shield emblem. With green trees and rooftops around, and fluffy clouds in the clear daylight, it was this awesome urban aviation scene!

A Finnair passenger jet descends over a commercial building and distinctive red-and-white tower under a clear blue sky.

Joining John’s Cellpic Sunday

After many years of posting – this

After all these years of sharing my photographs and thoughts, it’s such a nice moment to have this post featured in Freshly Pressed—what a delightful achievement! All I needed to do was enjoy a stroll along the dirt road by the meadow, surrounded by little flowers, busy bees, and graceful butterflies, which reminded me of the incredible beauty that surrounds us in everyday life that we so often forget. I am hopeful this will attract attention from new readers who may notice the post alongside my regular supporters, who continue to like and comment on my posts for which I am very happy see.

Misty Evenings in the Countryside

One of the joys of being able to spend time in the countryside, at least for me, is witnessing the mist enveloping the fields and the beauty of sunsets. Since I’m not really a morning person, I often, well to be truthful, always miss the sunrise. I find tranquility in a forest meadow, where the low evening mist blankets the area, tall grasses sway in the foreground, and the dark, layered horizon is defined by dense trees. The sky morphs from a warm golden yellow at the horizon to soft shades of peach and pink, eventually giving way to a cool lavender-blue overhead. Silhouetted pines, birches, and leafy trees perfectly frame this scene, crafting a serene, atmospheric landscape with gentle, natural contrasts. It’s one of those moments that stays with you.

A misty meadow glows beneath a pastel sunrise, framed by a tranquil forest.

Our Summer House Renovation Begins

September has already started and finally the work on our summer house has begun, not so peaceful at the moment. We are adding a new kitchen and bathroom to our house. It will add more comfort to our

Sisävessan lisäys – esimerkiksi kesämökille tai vanhaan omakotitaloon – tuo huomattavaa arjen mukavuutta, nostaa kiinteistön arvoa ja helpottaa asumista ympäri vuoden. 

Views towards the sauna are still nice

For Dans Thursday Doors

Finally it is happening, the addition to our house has started
So many changes have happened for us to do this
We will have loads of logs to keep us warm in the coming years .
Builder at work

Monochrome Landscapes: Road to My Summer Oasis

Monochrome Madness and here I am with another free week, and you might have thought I’d wrapped it all up after my stroll down Meadow Road. But no, we’re back at it! This time, I’m excited to share two versions of the images I snapped along the road where I found those beautiful flower photos—my pathway to my joyful retreat, my summer oasis. I’ve also included two monochrome takes of the plants I saw there to jog your memory.

A quiet dirt path winds through dense woodland and sunlit grasses in a striking black-and-white landscape.

Which version do you prefer, the darker or the lighter one, and what’s the reason for it?

A winding forest path leads through tall grasses and birch trees beneath a dramatic sky in striking black and white.

Last on the Card – August 2026

I took this photo of Juniper needles on Saturday, August 29th, when the light hit them just right, making them really pop.

SONY SLT- A65V – 50MM 2.8 MACRO
SONY 7 III – E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6

While walking by the meadow on August 20th, I spotted these delicate Fen Bedstraw flowers and couldn’t resist taking a photo. Then, on August 29th, I went to the cemetery to visit my parents’ grave, where I say this angel leaning on a rock that read, “We miss you.”

IPhone 17 PRO

I captured this feature shot on August 20th, looking through an old window glass that beautifully distorts the image. For Bush Boy’s Last On The Card

Tranquility of Stargazing in the Countryside

Taking time to sit outside to look at the stars and moon is one of life’s simple pleasures that often goes overlooked. The charm of the countryside is undoubtedly the absence of light pollution; in these serene settings, the stars and the moon become visible with breathtaking clarity, illuminating the night with a twinkling brilliance that captivates. As I sat and admired the stars, even though the sky was partly covered with clouds, I found a sense of peace. I am always amazed at how well my phone captures images in the dark, allowing me to preserve these fleeting moments and share the beauty of the night sky with others.

The moon breaks through dramatic clouds above a shadowed field framed by leafy trees.
Stars in the Northern sky
Full moon
Night clouds
Mist on the field on a moonlit night

For John’s Cellpic Sunday.

Lush Grass sparkling with dew droplets

i am happy I got this close-up of lush green grass covered in sparkling dew droplets, captured in bright natural light. The shallow depth of field turns many droplets into luminous circular highlights, while a few golden-brown fallen leaves and small mushrooms add warm accents among the blades. The low-angle composition creates a fresh, bright morning feelings

For Debbie’s  Six Words Saturday.

Creating Comfort: The Art of a Softly Blurred Interior

This week, let’s embrace an intentionally defocused interior scene that invites you in. Imagine a bright window or doorway at the center, surrounded by warm golden walls and softly glowing circular lights on either side, creating a comforting atmosphere. I truly appreciate this setup. In the lower foreground, dark, indistinct furniture and architectural forms blend into the background, while cool gray and blue tones gracefully balance the soft amber lighting. The gentle bokeh, heavy blur, and muted composition work harmoniously to evoke a soothing, dreamlike mood that resonates with the feeling I wanted to capture. In these times, comfort is needed.

An intentionally defocused interior scene
An atmospheric, softly blurred interior glows with warm golden lights and indistinct architectural details.

Posted for Dan’s Thursday Doors

Meadow Flowers and Bees of August

This on the same dirt road, gravel road, whatever 😂 by the meadow. If you thought that I was done, not, here are few more. No explanation this time. Just saying these little buzzers are so important