There was a chance to get some sunshine in the evening so I did my favourite hike, around Kappruet. I’m absolutely convinced that there are some great photos to be taken from the south side of the mountain, overlooking the valley with Blåstöten and Ånnfjället in the background. Just add light.

It didn’t start very promising though, it started snowing. Yes. Snowing on midsummer’s eve. But I had faith that the clouds would clear by time I started to go up the mountain, and I was delighted too see I was right! It was very fleeting light though, and the background peaks didn’t really get any sunlight at all, so mostly I was just shooting the birches (again). But it just means that I have to get back here, again and again until the conditions are right. It’s not a long hike anyway, just under 13 km and that’s including all the detours for pictures.

When I got over to the north side of Kappruet, it was clear that it was more likely that I would be snowed on than shined on. There is plenty of interesting detail here though, so I kept shooting regardless of the light (or the lack it of), knowing that everything would work out in B&W.

I’m really pleased with the pine crown picture. I have walked past this pine a few times but never saw the crown like this. But this time I approached from a different direction and sometimes it makes all the difference.

It was 11pm when I got back, and zero degrees centigrade. Welcome to the Nordic summer.