May 16th, Sunday

It was windy, the sky was gray with the sun coming out only for a moment every now and then. I loved the contrast between the green leaves and branches against the dark sky.

Birch tree branches

May – Macro#6

The miracle of sunshine. The new life grows from smallest of cracks.  This birch tree is trying to grow from our yard fence.Minimalist (5 of 22)Minimalist (7 of 22)

Forest

Finland is Europe’s most heavily-forested country. Forests cover 23 million hectares or 74.2% of the land area.

forest

There are about twenty indigenous tree species growing in Finland, the most common ones being pine (Pinus silvestris), spruce (Picea abies) and birch (Betula pendula and B. pubescens). Usually two or three tree species dominate a forest. Naturally pure pine stands are found in rocky terrain, on top of arid eskers and on pine swamps. Natural spruce stands are found on richer soil. Birch is commonly found as an admixture, but it can occasionally form pure birch stands

Birch

About half of the forest land area consists of mixed stands. Rarer species are found mostly as solitary trees. The south-western corner and the south coast of Finland are touched by a narrow zone growing oak, maple, ash and elm.

I’m participating in LetsBeWild.com’s Wild Weekly Photo Challenge. This week’s Challenge is: The Forest!

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