Wildlife in Sweden

It’s been a warm and sunny day with a strong but warm northerly wind. After our travels and with no dog to wake us, we had a leisurely start to the day including breakfast at our dining table over looking the lake. 

We’ve spent the day exploring the area around the house which included a morning walk up the roughly made road towards a local nature reserve. The area around the lake has a number of cabins used as weekend and summer retreats. We watched some children brave the cold water and strong wind to take a quick dip in the lake. We weren’t as bold but when we returned we spent time enjoying the various outdoor seating areas around the property which gave us different views across the water..

 This is the lake and surrounding area as seen from a viewing platform just above the house we are staying in. It was interesting to see fully mature and healthy juniper trees growing here - something of a rarity at home in the UK where it struggles to thrive. Other highlights included seeing pretty alpine flowers carpeting the mossy ground, seeing four black throated divers swimming up the lake and hearing the distinctive call of a black woodpecker as it flew overhead. 

As I lie in bed this evening I can see the warm glow of the sun over the trees on the horizon and hear the gentle call cf birds outside on the lake.