Summer in the north

A compilation of photos from the summer 2013 from the region right abow the arctic circle.

The lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) is one of the earliest breeding birds
 in the region. Not much camouflage before the fields are green.
Hadselsand, Lofoten 18.05 (Vipe)

Female Ringed Plower (Charadrius hiaticula),
Leknes, Lofoten 25.05. (Sandlo)

Willow grouse (Lagopus lagopus) in midnight light,
Gimsøy, Lofoten 27.05. (Lirype)

Willow grouse (Lagopus lagopus), Gimsøy, Lofoten 27.05. (Lirype) 

White-tailed Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla),
Øyhelle, Lofoten 08.06. (Havørn)

Short-eared Owls (Asio flammeus) showed up
in unusual high numbers in the Lofoten
Islands this summer, probably due to lack of
rodents in the breeding areas in the inland.
Sandøya 12.06. (Jordugle)

Little gulls (Larus minutus) have spread in Northern Norway
in recent years.  Southern Troms county,  17.06. (Dvergmåke)

Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola), Evenes 17.06. (Grønnstilk)

Juvenile Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis), Nordpollen, Lofoten 28.06.
(Heipiplerke)

Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) at night, Offersøy, Lofoten 29.06.
(Jordugle)

Elk (Alces alces) stopping traffic, Bertnes, Bodø 29.06. (Elg)

Not a very successful year for the Arctic Terns (Hirundo paradisaea)
 - this juvenile bird was the only airborne in a colony of more than
a hundred birds at Røst. 21.07. (Rødnebbterne)