Uncle Henry´s Universe.

Now it’s
time to look for the capercaillie roosters well-drawn tracks. If you’re lucky,
you’ll find a guy who is very eager to play, but beware, some of them can be
very aggressive! They can weigh up to 7 kg and strokes by the wings are
surprisingly powerful. Not to mention the sharp beak, a terrible weapon you do
not want to meet!

Most
roosters I’ve met have been very friendly. However, it can be annoying in the
long run to have a popping, hissing, clucking mate in hind legs a whole day! I
promise, I’ve been through it!

To honour
the day, I would like to offer something unique. During my years in the
wilderness, I have experienced the most part, but on only one occasion, I have
managed to capture a troll on photo! They are very shy and appear rarely in
daylight. The Scandinavian troll today is very rare and is considered acutely
threatened on the Red List.

Have no
picture of an Easter rooster so it have to be a capercaillie instead.

I wish you a nice
weekend!

During
clear nights in March, it happens that we hear shouting / barking lynx males
that pass our farm. It’s mating season and they are looking for a female.
Rännberg, the nature reserve we live at, is a well-known mountain where lynx
mate.

For me, is
probably the sound of lynx males more associated with wilderness, than howling
wolves. I have heard them so much over the years that it’s almost lost its
magic. But why choose, it is better to hear both wolf and lynx at the same
time, right?

It has
actually happened to me on one occasion. I recorded a howling wolf when
suddenly a shouting lynx interfering in concert. It was a pretty okay
experience of nature!

Want to hear how it sounded? Click here!

(There are sometimes problems with soundcloud, you may need to try on
different occasions.)

Gray, windy
and snow showers. No eagle today, opportunity to get some other things done instead.
Transported firewood for windbreaks and cabin in Fänstjärnsskogens nature
reserve. Cleaned off some garbage and loaded paper on the toilet. Being an
executive caretaker is also an important task!

The cottage is open to visitors all year round. Welcome!

Destruction
of our old-growth forests are in full swing. It is astounding what rough types
that forest companies are using to get the dirty work done!

Just found
this clip from last year, or perhaps it was in 2011. Filmed with an iPhone 3Gs.
A colleague transporting lumber out to the footbridges in Fräkensjömyrarnas
nature reserve. He looks very pleased, right? I think my dear colleagues dreams
of their own iron horse, instead of the miserable four-wheel motorcycles that
they use today…

Now enough
is enough with flying eagles against blue sky, while I just get to watch! Took
time off from work today. Long time since I last played with my paramotor and
trike with skis. Wonderful, though damn cold, but wonderful nonetheless …

Today
arrived the fifth squirrel, slightly later than last year, but who knows, maybe
it will be even more. Last weeks has also greenfinch, siskin and yellowhammer
been visiting the bird feeder, a sign that spring is slowly approaching,
despite the cold nights. We have been down to 24 degrees below zero, but the
days are warmer, only a few degrees below zero! Sunshine and good winds for the
golden eagle and no snowfall in sight, we have wonderful days right now.

Yesterday
came five jackdaws up from the village and made a hasty visit to our farm.
Nice. A harbinger of spring. We are still waiting to hear spring’s first crow,
they leave the valley during the harshest winter months so it feels really cozy
when we hear their croaking again. One of the first real signs of
spring.

The power
of nature is overwhelming. The seasonal changes, extreme weather, tides or just
a small lingonberry twig that has found its own place on earth.