Naming nature

I am beginning to feel the effects of the flora and fauna course I am taking. I can't look at a patch of moss without wondering which moss it is, and I want to know the names of all the birds I see. As spring is coming on and nature wakes up, I become more and more interested in it.

Common Goldeneye pair

The last couple of weeks, as I have looked out of my window while eating breakfast, I have seen some black and white ducks on the river. They would dive suddenly and come up again like a floatation device.  It was nice to have the company on the dreary mornings, but I wanted more. I wanted to label them. Today, I walked home from University and saw them closer up. I found out what they were, finally: Common Goldeneye - or in Norwegian, Kvinand.

Somehow, knowing this doesn't destroy the joy and magic of nature. I will still love having them for company in the mornings, maybe even more, because now that I have a name for them, they'll almost be like friends.

Learning these things about nature - not only the names of things, but also the internal and external structure of plants and animals, their life cycles, their preferred food and their habitat - makes me appreciate nature that I see all around me all the more. Now that I know a little bit of how amazing it is, I can be awestruck every time I see a patch of moss or a little sparrow. I think that is wonderful. I am looking very much forward to the spring coming for real and seeing nature alive and vibrant again.

Snow in March

The snow dances
a wild dance.
The snow maidens are chased
by enamored suitors
who fly through the air
on their handsome horses.

The wind plays
with the trees,
in a game
full of surprises.

The snow men and wives
veer across
the white carpet
in a beautiful waltz,
while the snow maidens
are asked to join
in a passionate tango.

Everything dances
including my soul,
which swings slowly around
in the white
and is engulfed
in the intense dance.

Nature is having a ball tonight.
Winter's last joyous celebration
before spring comes along.

The Norwegian look

This past week, we've had some days with a clear blue sky. That means a cold night and a sunny and warmer day. Around this time of year, the sun is warm to the feel again. I know, that isn't technically a correct statement (you can't touch the sun, and of course it's always hot, it's a miasma of incandescent plasma!), but what I mean is that you can feel the heat from the sunlight that hits your face. In Norway, this isn't always the case. During the winter months, especially December, there is little or no difference between sunlight and shade when it comes to warmth. So, when the sun starts to warm you up again, it feels really awesome.

That is where the Norwegian look comes in. It is not the name of a fashion look or anything like that. It is the innate response of Norwegians to the sun warming them on their faces again after the long winter. It is a sure sign that spring is on the way when people stop and show off the Norwegian look in the middle of the street. Here is how to get the Norwegian look:

If you are skiing, plant your ski poles behind you, pointing slightly outwards. Lean a little backwards on them. If you are not skiing, plant your hands on your hips or lay your hands on the small of your back, and lean a little backwards with your legs planted a little apart. Raise your head towards the sun, shut your eyes (these two things define the Norwegian look) and smile a little. Can also be done while sitting down.

The Norwegian look while sitting down

There you have it. The Norwegian look. Remember, only for use in the late winter and spring. Enjoy soaking up the D vitamins in the sun!