Uncle Henry´s Universe.

Working
with the Golden Eagle is usually associated with observations at very long
distances, only rarely am I close enough to photograph, but this year came one
of the Eagles to me to check the situation. It hung over me for a good while,
willing to be photographed. I finally got paid for all these days of cold and
long wait that otherwise characterizes the fieldwork.

Some days
this year has been quite unique! As on March 24, when I spent more than 15
minutes following a young wolf who
hunted Canada geese on a lake ice in Norway. (I take the road on the Norwegian
side of the border sometimes, when our gravel roads are too bad because of the
spring thaw)

Then, to
track a wolverine, where I really would watch for Golden Eagle …

… But
after a while, also found bear tracks, which I traced back to the bear’s den
where it remained during the winter.

Such days
are inspiring!

The annual
inventory of the Golden Eagle is coming to an end. It has been a fantastic
season although the last few days were unsuccessful. Long wait and chilly winds
tempted to today’s mood but salvation came in the form of two wonderful
companions, two Siberian jays. Always welcoming, always jovial!

Heavy snow
beds around and hides the older tracks but tomorrow are there new stories to
read.

A Great
Grey Shrike was a guest today on our bird table, a relatively rare guest in the
garden. Although it is virtually annual breeding bird in the northern part of
our county, it is not particularly common. This was our third observation on
the farm.

Despite
persistent snowfall and freezing temperatures we also heard a black tit singing,
it sat as usual at the top of a fir tree. It is still full winter but it shows
in the light that it faces towards brighter times.

Tracked
three wolves yesterday and was reminded of an old story.

Hot damn,
what a shit scary bridge, I refuse going over, ‘said the smallest wolf Bruse
and swerved off north along the river.

Shit, man,
I agree, ‘said the middle wolf Bruse and turned back and instead wades across
the river.

Oh,
cowards, this bridge is insane safe said the biggest wolf Bruse cocky when he
barged over.

Hmm, wonder
what the safety regulations are saying about this thought the big ugly tracker
troll when he with trembling knees slowly crawled across the bridge.

End of
story…

Monday
morning, 25 degrees below zero and frosty wolf tracks. Cozy!

//player.vimeo.com/video/83297601

Everyday life
sometimes contains magic, as during an evening walking in Krakow, she was worth
every penny in the bitterly cold December wind.

An old year
is behind us, maybe with some flaws but also with clear memories of what has
been good. A new year lies ahead, still fresh and unconsumed. Open the window
and let the inspiration flow! (Façade from Krakow)

I took an
afternoon tour yesterday and enjoyed good tracks from both wolves and lynx. Did
not note, took no pictures. Free from work, one has to have a hobby too 😉

Also came
across two hawk owl. Still plenty of small rodents, perhaps the owls stay
another season before they turn back to the north.

523B on a carrion. Photo: Sture Orrhult.

Got a Christmas message from the eagle we ringed as a juvenile
this past summer, it savored a Christmas dinner in the form of a roe-deer on
Sture Orrhults feeding place in Dalsland. (Approximately 238 km south from the
nest where it was born)

The first eagle we ringed in our county (in 2010), has
also been observed on carrion during December, but then instead in Leksand,
Dalarna. (About 125 km to the east from the birthplace.)

Of the seven eagles which we previously ringed is one
rediscovered dead and four observed on carrion, so it’s only 2 that we have not
yet received feedback on. A very good result I think.

For those who want to see more pictures or learn more
about Eagle, please follow the attached link to Sture’s site.

http://www.orrhult.eu/ovrigt/index%20ovrigt.htm

532B as a juvenile in the nest 2013. Photo: Börje Dahlén.

Now again
comes the light. First, it’s tentative, a minute longer daylight, then
increasing until midsummer. Wonderful!

The
pictures are from a fantastic day in wolf grooves, last week, when I followed 7
wolves through the home grounds. It became a long day of tracking in the
mountains, followed by an even longer walk along forest roads to reach the car.

A hawk owl
kept me company for a while, a silhouette in the moonlight. I really felt that
I took to be the day, took to be my life!

Merry
Christmas and Happy New Year to you!