iPhone photography – Ritva Sillanmäki Photography

Aavasaksa – Finland’s Hidden Gem

Aavasaksa

On our journey north, we took the timé to make a short stop to the beautiful Aavasaksa, a historical hill nestled in Ylitornio within the beautiful Tornio River Valley. It was a truly lovely place, celebrated for its breathtaking natural scenery and the enchanting midnight sun. I was reminded of the fact that Aavasaksa is the southernmost spot in Finland where you can witness the phenomenon of the nightless nights.

Being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s part of the Struve Geodetic Arc, which is fascinating as it helps measure the Earth’s size and shape. We did not have time to enjoy exploring the nature trails and hiking routes that reveal spectacular views of the Tornio River leading into Sweden.

Oh, and it is one of Finland’s national landscapes, they reflect the country’s identity and unique characteristics.

Sharing this for John’s CellPic Sunday, I took these with my Iphone 17 Pro and edited them in LRC

Blooms of Pink Peonies

Flowers, iPhone photography, Photography

pink peony and droplets — A delicate pink peony bud with morning dew drops stands out against a soft green blurred background.

I love peonies, and I have a hard time getting my peonies to expand as I would like. Usually, I only have a few blooms, but this year, I am thrilled to have five, and that feels like a significant improvement for me. Despite my efforts, I suspect that I might be using the wrong soil, and I’m unsure about the best placement for them in my garden, which makes it a bit challenging. Nevertheless, I do enjoy watching them bloom and flourish, and each flower brings me immense joy as it displays its vibrant colors and lovely fragrance, reminding me of the beauty and resilience of nature.

image_0919bb44-49c7-4742-8fef-f9a5c0ff98c0 — A delicate pale pink peony bud covered in dewdrops against a soft green garden background

A close-up of a delicate pink peony bud adorned with fresh water droplets against a lush green background

The phone is handy and with me most of the time, so I took these with my IPhone 17 PRO for The Flower Hour

Blue door

Captures from Finland, iPhone photography, Photography

For Dan’s Thursday Doors

Wordless Wednesday

iPhone photography, Photography

Food is served

iPhone photography, Photography, Still life

I am sharing some food pictures for John’s, Cellpic Sunday enjoying a beautifully set meal is a always a pleasure and good opportunity to practice food photography

Lens-artists Challenge #402 Wonders

iPhone photography, Landscapes, lens-artists, Photography

I just got back from north Norway, and I was in awe all of the time there. I have not had time to edit my photos from my camera, and I took most of them with it. I am now making a quick post from some of the wonderful wonders that I have just seen. Most are unedited taken with my iPhone.

The photos do not show the grandeur of it all

These are from our first stop in Yykeänperä translates to Skibotn in English (Norwegian). It is a village located in the Storfjord Municipality in Troms county, Northern Norway, situated on the southeastern shore of the Lyngenfjord.

It is also known as Ivgobahta in Northern Sami and occasionally Markkina in Kven. The village sits roughly 50 kilometers (31 miles) away from Kilpisjärvi, Finland, making it a popular destination for cross-border day trips and that is why we are there.

This view was about 100 meters away from our room

I am sorry Sofia I did not have the time to do more well thought out post, but I did want to participate

Liked to Lens Artists at Sofia’s here

It was beautiful but so windy, and to be honest cold this evening

When you reply, could you link back to her original post? Let’s also use the Lens-Artists tag; it’s such a great chance to connect with other photographers. Today At midsummer Saturday John will post a new challenge be sure to check it out.

Please see this page for more information about the Lens-Artists Challenge . If you don’t want to miss any future challenges, please consider subscribing to the team members’ websites.

We are the Lens-Artists: Tina, Patti, Ann-Christine, John, Sofia, Anne, Egidio, Beth, and I, Ritva.

Until then, let’s keep exploring, broadening our horizons, and maintaining a positive mindset

Pikisaari: Nature and Culture in Oulu

Captures from Finland, Cities, iPhone photography

Still in Oulu, late afternoon 17:30, not that you would know that this time of the year it is so light. Our son is showing us places in in his hometown. Just a little fact about summer nights; last night the sunset was at 00:15 and sunrise at 2:21, creating almost a continuous twilight that casts a magical glow over the landscape.

Back to the topic of this post, I am sharing a few window shots from Pikisaari, located right next to the center of Oulu, which is a real gem! This charming area boasts lots of fascinating architecture, ranging from historical buildings to modern designs that harmonize beautifully with the surroundings. The beautiful nature surrounding Pikisaari, with its lush greenery and serene waters, creates a perfect backdrop for leisurely strolls. Additionally, the vibrant arts and culture scene here is truly inspiring, with local artists often showcasing their talents through various exhibitions and events, making it an ideal spot for both residents and visitors to experience the rich cultural fabric of the city.

Bright red animal and abstract shapes decorate the exterior brick wall of a building surrounded by greenery.

The area around the Old Wool Factory is turning into such a cool cultural hub, and honestly, this little island is just so pretty! Pikisaari has such beautiful nature; almost half of the island is untouched, so there’s plenty of space to kick back and soak in the scenery and art you find along the trails. The running paths here in Oulu are honestly the best and they weave through this stunning island! We didn’t feel like running, i never do though, so we just strolled slowly along the river path instead, but I’ll save those picture for another post!

How do you feel about those chair legs, kind of cute?

Pikisaari - Oulu 8 — My husband standing next to a large rusty metal sculpture that has art inside in front of a brick building

I hope this post has enough windows for Monday Window.

The tiniest flower, but so beautiful

Flowers, iPhone photography, Photography

Debbies Six Word Saturday

Tired

Flowers, iPhone photography, Photography

If you’re not in the mood for self pity, skip the text and enjoy the photo 😌

I had one of the worst nights in a long time. My sleep was in shambles, I couldn’t get a comfortable position in my bed, my feet were cold… from within, I was in and out of sleep. Yes I am whining about it… sorry for that. But on a a positive note, I am doing my best so I don’t fall asleep by sitting in my garden/ backyard enjoying the sunshine and beauty of the rhododendrons.

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