Finally a Sunny Day on the Second Day of May. Hurrah!

The sea is indispensable to me. I would not be able to live in a place where I could not go to the sea very often. It must be the sailor's blood, although I'm not much of a sailor myself. I get easily seasick.

This second day of May is a lovely day, with a blue sea and a blue sky, a light breeze and a temperature of 18 degrees Celsius.Finally. It has been so cold but it is soon forgotten.

The marina, called Marselis, is a quiet place at this time of the morning. In the evening it's another matter. The restaurants are filled with people, some fish-restaurants are very popular. There are no city shops in the place, they are actually only meant for the boat people, the shops have maritime equipment, and the clothes you can buy are sailor's clothes, you know, marine, white, red, stripes and fine fabrics. If I go there it's only because I like to watch those pretty sail boats or yacths! - and see them sail out into the bay. But there are cafés and ice cream shops where you can sit outside and enjoy a summer's day with coffee or ice cream!

But now I just want to walk along the beach road and up through the park and the botanical garden, from where I can go back to my home. It's a good "motion tour". Or what it is you call it?  A pretty sailboat is on its way out in the bay. I don't quite understand, why people don't use their boats, even in the week-ends I have noticed that the boats are anchered up in the marina. Maybe they only use them for a holiday in the summer season. Or maybe they get seasick like me! A sailboat looks so pretty in the blue sea. I've got a weakness for sailboats, also the big ones. The huge sailing ships. I once saw the famous Russian school ship. It was so beautiful with all sails up that it's impossible to describe.
















 
Well, I'm now leaving the beach road, walking up the steep bank to the park. There were some old ruined stairs, but they have been removed. Now it's only the solid trampled earth and it's really steep. Luckily there is a bench at the top. With a beautiful view across the bay. I really feel lucky this year. Last year was not a good one. And the light green leaves of the beech have come out. I took a photo of "witches broom" in a birch tree for Rebecca in the Woods, but I'm not sure she sees my blog. I've made a link so you can see what she wrote about witches broom. 

Marselisborg castle is being painted.

 There are two neat little houses in the park, they are not inhabited, the gardeners use them for storing. They were built in the 1800s, they functioned as a residence for servants of the manor Marselisborg. They burnt down in 1996 but were rebuilt by Århus Municipality in their original looks.
Oh, I see now that queen Margrethe's "summer house" is being painted. She really must have bought a huge pot of paint!

There was a pretty magnolia tree in the garden by the Donbæk houses, and along both sides of the lawn are rhododendrons in many colours during summer, but only the light pink is blooming now. I was looking for the blue tits, but maybe it was too late in the morning. I'll  have to be out earlier if I want to "catch" the little birds. Wauw, they are smoking water pipe over there. I wish I could go a little closer, but I won't disturb them. If you enlarge the photo you can see the pipe upon the table. 

Speedwell

In the grass is the fine blue speedwell, and by the foot of some trees was a carpet of the wood sorrel with the pure white flowers and the light green leaf.
The beech wood stands with its beautiful light green leaf,  it's one of the most wonderful sights in spring, the tall beeches with their light green leaves, which turn bright yellow when the sun shines through.

Wood Sorrel

The beech forest is a very loved forest type in Denmark, it is called the typical Danish forest, the beech is in the national hymn and together with the oak it's appointed Denmarks' national tree. The beech immigrated into Denmark ab. 3000 years ago, but it was not a common tree until 500 B.C. The beech is native to western Europe, where it is a part of mixed hardwoods, and it has its northern border in Denmark. It is known and loved for two things in spring, the carpet of  white anemones and the lightgreen leaves in May. The forests are now treated in a different way than before, where the wellknown and loved columned hall of beeches were the usual sight. Now dead trunks and branches are allowed to stay in the forest floor, there are more glades and water holes, and other trees are allowed to grow, so the forest will be more versatile. The beloved columned beech hall will not disappear, but the forest will be more exciting to be experience.

    

From the wood I walked out into the park - the wonderful Japan cherry is still blooming with bunches and bunches of lovely pink and white flowers. Soon the flowers will fall down, covering the lawn like a fine layer of snow.  The pink flowers and the blue sky, that's such a beautiful sight. It's difficult to leave this place, but I still find it too cold to sit on a bench here. It's not summer yet. 

I must not forget the simplest little flowers, they are so pretty too.
They pop modestly up in the grass, faithfully turning their heads towards the sun
Tusindfryd in Danish, meaning thousands of joys, and Daisy in English. Daisy is also a girl's name, like Hyacinth Bouquet's sister Daisy , married to Onslow. Some sweet, funny types.  

Some photos of the beech wood from the 2. of May:

Among the dry leaves in the botanical garden was a strange plant. I had only seen it once before, somewhere in south Jutland. It's the Common Toothwort. (DK: Skælrod). It's a parasitic plant without chlorophyll. The flowers have a fine scent.  It's hostplant is usually hazel, but also other hardwoods. It seems that it does no harm to its host plant. It is difficult to confuse this plant for any other plant in Denmark, there is only the same species of this family in northern Europe, globally are 5 species. The plant is not in bloom each year, but it can survive underground for one year or more. The Latin family name lathraéa is from Greek lathraios = hidden, it refers to the hidden life of the plant. Its specific name squmaria comes from sqama = scales. Its habitat is fertile hardwoods, parks and fences, old gardens etc., often with hazel, but also other hardwoods like lime, oak etc. It is rare in Denmark, mostly seen on the island Fyn, where it is found in many hazel growths and little forests.

Green-veined White butterfly.

Isn't this a fine little one. My first little ladybird this year. Now I can ask it to fly up into the sky to ask for fine weather.  And the only butterfly I saw today was the green-veined white upon a dandelion. (click to enlarge)

In the botanical garden are many resting places! Here's a bench by the pond, but I'm not far from home, so it's not worthwhile. I'm thirsty for a cup of coffee now! Btw, I wonder if those ducks are either deaf or just of a calm nature. The sirens started to alarm, we had been told a few days ago that they did a test at twelve noon. The last time they did the test, people were not aware of what happened, and they called the alarm central and blocked for important calls. The sirens stand in various places of town, and this one was close to the park on the other side of the fence, the sound was so terribly high that I had to put my hands on my ears. The ducks kept on sleeping, while the birds in the treetops flew confused around. That's why I wonder if ducks are deaf??

photos 2 May 2012: grethe bachmann

the terrible siren

Kielstrup Sø and Mariager Fjord, Himmerland, North Jutland

 

"Stinesminde"

Let's have some photos from a warm September's day. I have been wallowing in winter-weather for I don't know how long, Now it's time for fetching a little sun and warmth. The first place we came to after having been in the forest of Rold in the morning was a small cosy fishing village, "Stinesminde" by Mariager fjord. We have been there before, and it is the nicest place to take a coffee- break! And the weather was perfect.

Mariager fjord

The place around Kielstrup sø and along Mariager fjord is a wonderful place to see on such a day. The view from the hills is wonderful both to Mariager fjord and to the lake. And along the fjord are little cosy marinas with a few boats.  It is really a place worth to keep for the public. It's good that something positive is done. Everything cannot be done at once, but it's good to know that this beautiful landscape is taken care of now.


I usually do not write so much about the nutrients, draining etc. of the farmland, but the following material was available, so I wanted to tell just a little about how much it means for the rare plant-species - as well for the insects that arrive and all the other animals - that a place is listed and protected. EU-habitat and Natura 2000 see to that the politicians just do not tramp all over the land, building holiday houses and hotels along the coast -  and not at least is it necessary to keep a watchful eye on the negative effects from the farmland. 

Mariager fjord

Kielstrup Sø

Kielstrup Sø is a diked laguna on the north side of Mariager fjord in North Jutland. The lake has brackish water and is influenced by nutrients, but it is run through with a clear-watered brook, Karls Møllebæk (mill brook). The lake is surrounded by steep heath hillsides,(up to 63 m above the fjord), moors, pastures, beach meadows, thicket and forest. An area of  509 hectare around Kielstrup Sø is selected as EU-habitat and a part of this are protected nature types. The main part is listed for its  landscape and view-value.

Painted Lady by the lake.

Although the area is overgrowth and nutrient- enriched are here still several rare plants and animals. The surroundings are dominated by heaths and chalky pastures and juniper-thicket, which is often is in a bad state because of overgrowth. The biggest values of the area are rigkær (rich marsh) and springs by the lake. In spite of a negative development are still some fine spots with fx. Marsh Helleborine, Tufted Fen-moss, Blunt-Flowered Rush and Butterwort. (see Latin names after article.) In one of the marsh-springs are still a few plants of the red-listed Gul stenbræk (Saxifraga hirculus).

View to the lake from the hill

view to Mariager fjord from the hill

grave hill

Threats:
There is some nutrient-impact from the air and from the nearby fertilized farmland. This is a threat to all nature types except beach meadows. In the nutrient-poor areas like heath, sour pastures and hængesæk (water is just under the moss) the tolerated limit is exceeded almost all over the area, and this means that large common plant-species can overgrow and force away small, rare and hardy plants. The lake also gets some surplus nutrients from the slopes around the lake, from drains and ditches and from Karls mill  brook.

My son in the thicket-overgrowth

A little marina along the fjord

.
The overgrowth of trees, bushes and tall herbs in the whole area is an acute threat agsint most of the nature types in the area, worst in the rich marshes, in moist meadows and upon dry heaths. The overgrowth of fx some rush, spikes, reeds and some willow-species is the cause, why the plant Gul stenbræk (Saxifraga hirculus) has almost disappeared from its earlier suitable habitat. Drains and ditches are a threat to more than 75 % of the area. The drying also contributes to more overgrowth.

grazing of sheep

One of the calves in the cattle herd

Some plant-species are not native to the area, like Rosa rugosa, Broom and various species of fir and spruce, especially mountain pine is a problem on pastures and heaths.  The Eagle fern - which is of Danish origin - has also a negative effect on the low vegetation. This is partly due to that it gives shadow, partly that it sets free chemical substances, which works as a poison on other plants. ( allelopati )

The district of North Jutland has carried out nature-care in the listed areas. In 2006 was given public means for the care of the Saxifraga hirculus-localities in 10 habitats in Denmark, thus also Kielstrup sø,  which meant a much needed clearing and grazing in  parts of the area. Besides have there since 1997 been agreements in the Natura-2000 territory.

Source:
Danmarks Fugle og Natur, Mariager Fjord Kommune, Nordjylland /Naturhistorisk Museum, Århus.

Plant Names:
Marsh Helleborine/ Epipactis palustris/Danish: Sump-Hullæbe
Tufted Fenn-moss/Paludella squarrosa/ Danish: Piberensermos
Blunt-flowered Rush/Juncus subnodulosus/Danish: Butblomstret Siv.
Butterwort/Pinguicula vulgaris/ Danish: Vibefedt
Saxifraga/ Saxifraga hirculus/ Danish: Gul Stenbræk

Kielstrup sø

.photo September 2009: grethe bachmann

Another Walk ...........................

You'll have to put up with me in another walk, if you like! It was a beautiful weather, a little windy - but the sun was shining and it was too tempting. I really had to bring my camera today. Usually I walk in order to get some training - fast and steady, and usually I only bring my camera out in the week-ends. My daily walk is often down to the beach, where I pass the Races, Marselisborg Castle with the queen's garden, the forest and the Memorial Park, which is between the castle and the beach road. There was a butterfly I wanted to find - it has not been seen in many numbers this year, and I hope it would be in the herbaceous borders in a garden corner of the park. Among the first houses I pass on my way is this one. I call it The Italian House. I think it's charming. I love the tiles by the door.


I took a little break by the horses, but only one was out today. A cute little swallow was curious, looking down to see what happened.


Marselisborg Castle, queen Margrethe's summer-house, somewhat bigger than the summer houses I have rented in my holidays. From the big lawn in the park is a view to the sea and to Skødshoved, Mols and Helgenæs on the other side of the bay.


The park is filled with trees and bushes and fine hedges. To the right a walnut tree which drops walnuts in numbers on the ground. I have used some for snaps. Walnut-snaps is one of the best among snaps, almost like a cognac.


Crows walk two and two. These two had a crisis. One walked to and fro and to and fro. Was it the female, looking like she had got a perm of the neck-feathers. The male was sitting by the nearest tree philosophing over, why she had got that perm. Was she flirting with some young fool? He was really sad. (click the picture to see the perm)


Much rain and much sun. Lots of berries. Here hips from a rose, flowering with the most wonderful scent in May-June. I don't know the name, but I guess it is a tea rose. To the right rowanberry, and like the elderberries I told you about, there was one year where I experimented with berries from nature. Gathering, cleaning, cooking, it took a h... of a time, but the rowanberry-gele was absolutely fine. I had made a large portion and my friends all got a part. They loved it. I had put cognac in it!


I was very excited when I finally came to the herbaceous perrenials. Each year they have various flowers and colours in the park. Last year were the colours more vigorous, this year lighter. But they are beautiful. My mother had a lovely garden with such flower beds.


Here is the butterfly I wanted to find. Underside to the left. And like other butterflies it has a pretty English name. I'm sure the man who was sitting there many years ago, deciding the names of the butterflies, was a real romantic. Painted Lady is the name of this one. I'll write about it in my blog Flora and Fauna.


Painted Lady with underside (Cynthia cardui)


The Red Admiral and the Peacock


Small White and Small Tortoiseshell


The heavy rain last week caused problems in many places, here it has created a "ravine" in the walking path and in another path through the forest section it was necessary to wear waders. .


Two Whites were sitting for a long time "looking" at each other before they got closer. They were flirting I think.


They look like Green-veined White? A jogger came running and they disappeared.


There are two small houses in the park, "Donbækhusene", now uninhabited. They once were homes for servants from the Marselisborg Castle and for foresters in the 1900s. The Poplar Avenue along the edge of the Memorial Park is a lovely shadowy place when it is hot. But I don't need a shadowy place, so I walk on across Kongevejen (King's Road) to.........


Forsthaven or Forstbotanisk have with trees and bushes from all over the world. A bench by a small pond and the well by the pond. In spring are lots of frogs.


Mushooms in the grass by some beech trees upon a hill.

In some places the decay is supported, here a tree overgrown in ivory and leaning up another tree, a good place for the squirrels! Large fungus at the foot of an old tree.


This plant is named Dansk ingefær (Danish ginger). I can only give you this explanation from Wikipedia: Arum alpinum is a member the plant family Araceae. Certain occurrences of Arum in Denmark were previously labelled as the subspecies A. alpinum ssp. danicum, but these are now recognized as Arum cylindraceum. The picture to the right is from the small brook in Forsthaven. (click to enlarge all the small pictures)


In the corner og my eye I saw a movement. It was a squirrel. It is so quick, so quick that little guy! Disappeared in the ivory up a big tree.

At the foot of the same tree was a nuthatch and a great tit.


It is so majestic this Sequoia-tree. Just look at the strong red bark. And this one is small compared to the Sequoias in their native land in USA.


I came to the small lake in Forsthaven and saw this dragonfly at once. It was very busy and sometimes stopped in front of me! I'm sorry I could not take a close-up photo of this "dangerous" creature. Imagine there was once a dragonfly with a wing span of 70 cm ab. 300 million years ago - before the dinosaurs. This one is a Southern Hawker, with fine metallic blue-silver.


The dragonfly took care of its territory in a very agressive way. Two Small Whites tried to come near many times to get to some flowers by the lake, but the dragonfly chased them away each time, and it followed them across the path where I was and returned to the lake, where it stood like a little shining helicopter. In between it took a quick turn and stood in front of me, and I felt it was staring. "What are you doing here?"


In many gardens it is IN to have Hortensias. They are beautiful, but they do not attract much life. To the right some villas behind the Memorial park.


There are many grand white villas at the beach road, but I like this one, because it has kept some of its old charm.


The Marselis Marina. Lots and lots of yachts and masts - only one boat out. In the week-end I have noticed almost the same picture. Why do they "park" all those fine boats instead of getting out on the sea. Are they afraid of getting seasick?


In the corner of the bay beside Marselis Marina is a place named Tangkrogen. In the old days - when I was a child - it was a bathing beach. It was also called the Fly-Paper, because everyone went there. Tangkrogen means a place with seaweed, and there was much seaweed in the corner today. Here are all the small boats - also in big numbers - all the way along the corner up till the marina. To the left is a small section of the big lawn behind Tangkrogen, which is now used for circus and concerts etc. Behind the young people you see a little of Århus.


This is the last station on my walk. Here opposite the small ice kiosk is the bus-stop where I take the bus home. This ice kiosk has been here for hundreds of years! As long as I can remember anyway.


After the bus-tour I pass a house with this welcoming comité. It's a lovely way to welcome a guest. Notice the dog behind with a bristle on its back to clean your footwear.

And now home for a fresh cup of black coffee and a biscotti! Have a nice day!


photo 31. August 2010: grethe bachmann