August 03, 2009

Scandinavian Sky.

I love to watch the sky here in Scandinavia, as it is never the same. The sky, just like the sea in which it is reflected, is moody and changes its colour from season to season, even from one day to another.

On a winter day, it is milky white, fading to grey. It can look this way for days, weeks and even months at a time. Heavy clouds make the sky feel low and menacing, intrusive and oppressive at times.
But once the sun returns in spring, the sky changes as if by magic. Upon a clear summer day, the zenith is always baby blue. Almost transparent, it never reaches the deep blue color of the tropics. Frequently covered by white, light clouds, which are almost never stationary. They move fast with the wind, sometimes they gather in a spot, then dissipate fast as if they never were there in the first place.

There is something inadvertently tranquil in watching a summer sky. Every time I do, I recall a scene from the movie "Girl with a Pearl Earring", where the object of Vermeer's affection and his model for the famous painting, is asked to define the colour of the sky. She is quick to say "blue", but upon a moment of contemplation she realizes that is not correct. Nothing around us have one single colour, but is a plethora of nuances, of light and dark tint, creating shades and reflections. Making everything seems alive.

Such is the Scandinavian sky.

17 comments:

BLOGitse said...

Greetings from Cairo, Egypt!
I'm a Finn and expat here since March 2008.
This summer sky post is so familiar! :) Beautiful pics!

I have a party on my blog today - WELCOME! :)

steviewren said...

I love to watch the sky myself. We have some of our most perfect blue sky days in February. The sky is always pristine and clear in the winter.

I'm sorry your summer is almost over. We have at least 2 more months of hot weather here. Our days will get shorter but the heat will stay.

Reading Tea Leaves said...

Thank you for this lovely journey, cloudspotting - today we have cotton-wool clouds in the sky, and above them a lovely blue. A nice day indeed and I'm just off for a lunchtime walk!
Enjoy your day.
x

Barbro Andersen said...

I love these candycotton beauties :)

Re: Sundays can be the best, but also the worst :p Depends on the mood, I guess. Hope Monday's being nice to you too!

Hilary said...

So lovely. The collection of photos reminds me of a view of the ocean from above the clouds.

Phivos Nicolaides said...

The sky is beautiful and like the rainbow, you can see it, but you can't touch it!!!

FASHION CHALET said...

Clouds are the portal to the soul. I love it when the Sky turns that ultra-special-blue and the clouds are large and puffy like cotton. My favortie pasttime as a child was laying in the grass and just staring. HAVE A GLORIOUS MONDAY, Dear! :)


xoxo!!

Keera Ann Fox said...

The blue of a clear winter sky is definitely different from the blue of a clear summer sky. The light does amazing things.

So do layers of clouds. Today in Bergen has been a lovely day with puffy clouds criss-crossed by wispy clouds making the blue sky that much more interesting.

Beverlydru said...

Your photography complements your word pictures beautifully.

Claus said...

Beautiful sky! Love summer skies as well. They are my favorite. Though, at their own moment, I can also appreciate the November and December skies, or those of a rainy afternoon.

Betsy Brock said...

I'm a sky-watcher, too! The sky is noticably bluer here when the fall comes.

Shelly's Style Shop said...

I have missed so many of your great posts! I have a lot to catch up on. ;-) I have been so busy getting my kiddos ready for school. Anway, love this post.

I love love love the baby blue sky! We have had a lot of baby blue during the day and then the sky becomes all kinds of beautiful different shades in the evening during sunset! I usually see different shades of blue, pink, purple, orange and white. I love sitting outside and enjoying the beautiful sky! ;-)

xoxo, Shelly

Zuzana said...

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU everyone!!!:))
I LOVE comments and I am always grateful for anyone to stop by; I am glad so many of you too enjoy the beauty of a summer sky.;))

XOXO

United Studies said...

One of Emma's favorite things to do is lie on the grass and watch the clouds pass. She will point out clouds and say "Doesn't that look like a butterfly?" or something else. It is fun and a huge stress reliever.

Zuzana said...

=Jacki,
it shows your daughter has great imagination.;)) That is a very good thing.;)
I hope you see many clouds such as these on your trip here.;))

Maria said...

Sky blue is azure, right.

Zuzana said...

=gaelikaa,
thank you so much for all your lovely comments.;) xo