Finnish Lawn Ornaments.
Chilean Flamingos, Phoenicopterus chilensis, Korkeasaari (Helsinki Zoo).
What have I done and seen so far in Helsinki? So far, I've;
- visited the Korkeasaari (Helsinki Zoo), where, among other things, I watched endangered Przewalski's horses actively working at increasing their tiny population -- and no, I did not photograph that, but it sure was tempting!
- met some of my host's friends over beers .. many many beers ...
- had beers on the SS Hyöky, oddest quaintest little boat-bar/museum I've ever visited (yes, I have lots of photographs that I plan to share with you soon)
- eaten dozens of delicious pastries and quiche -- the Finns can really make fabulous pastries!
- Kansallismuseo (National Museum of Finland), and saw a really interesting exhibit of the history of Finland from prehistoric times through the present
- Sea Life Helsinki, where I watched lots of fishes (after eating a few smoked fishes myself)
- Hakaniemen Kauppahalli, where I bought, and then ate within a few minutes, sometihing like 500 grams of smoked fish -- of course, I "forced" my host to also eat it along with me!
- Ataneum Hall Museum (the Finnish National Art Museum), where I saw lots of art I've never seen before by artists whom I've never heard of before -- art that appears to have a strong Japanese influence, except that it doesn't at all -- why doesn't the Met have a Finnish art show so these works can be exposed a larger audience?
- Gallen-Kallela Museum, which is kept in his very wonderful house -- a house that completely entralled me
- Tuomiokirkko (Helsinki Lutheran Cathedral), where I photographed the largest pipe organ I've ever seen, and I've seen plenty of them in my life. I hope to return to photograph this church a little more before I leave, and possibly to attend a service so I can hear that organ being played
Today, I will visit the Helsingin Luonnontieteellinen museo (Helsinki Natural History Museum), Kauppatori Helsingin, where I will photograph lots of dead fish, and Suomenlinna
And tomorrow, I will go birding in the area all day long, and the bird I most want to see is the Steller's White-tailed (Grey) Sea-eagle, Haliaeetus pelagicus albicilla, although I am happy to see anything.
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Sounds like you're having loads of fun!
Steller's Sea-eagle? Aren't those restricted to the north Pacific? You don't mean White-tailed Sea-eagle Haliaeetus albicilla, do you?
Posted by: Hai~Ren | November 22, 2008 8:40 AM
indeed i do. unfortunately, i didn't see either sea-eagle species, but i did see a saunaduck. i'll let you entertain me by filling in the species name for me. :)
Posted by: "GrrlScientist" | November 22, 2008 10:09 AM
Museovirasto = National Board (or Bureau) of Antiquities.
Kansallismuseo = National Museum (of Finland).
Posted by: Jusu | November 24, 2008 3:39 AM
thanks for the corrections, jusu. i am already making plans to begin learning finnish after i return to NYC, so hopefully, i will return to finland this spring (summer?) with a better command of the language.
Posted by: "GrrlScientist" | November 24, 2008 3:43 AM
Hi Hedwig, haven't been by in a while. It's so cool that you're in Finland, and it sounds like you're loving it! Good luck with Finnish. In college, I had some friends from Finland and I understand their language is very difficult, one of those ones that's not related to any other tongue. Enjoy the rest of your time there!
Posted by: Library Diva | November 26, 2008 1:58 PM
moikka, library diva! it's GREAT to see you again! i am back in the USA now, although i am thinking i'd rather leave the country -- for good -- since my employment opportunities here have never been worse in my entire life. sad, but oh so true!
Posted by: "GrrlScientist" | November 26, 2008 4:43 PM