Capturing life as it is

June to be or not to be…

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or something like that. It is a mess, but please continue.

Yay! The first summer month is here! Yet the question remains, which summer it will be this time – the hot and dry or the cold and rainy one. While living in Estonia, it is always a gamble. I prefer something in between, as the hot sun or cold rainy days are not the best options to enjoy the summer.

The June photo is about a similar dilemma – which side of the coin will it be? You can look at the big picture or the small details – what will you choose? Most of the time, we have a choice, but with the weather, we don’t.

I guess it will be what it will be. We seem to talk too much about the weather anyway. Whatever we are given, I hope that I can see some bigger pictures and find myself lost in looking for the small details. After all, the smallest things matter the most, so keep looking!

A close-up of a colourful caterpillar symbolizes the unpredictability of summer weather.

February discoveries

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This winter has been extremely poor in snow. I am used to snow and cold temperatures and I do not mind it really, so I was excited to be back at home and enjoy the winter. So far I haven’t even gotten my skis out yet! So it left me with some extra time to discover what the dark February had to offer. I wandered around in the garden looking for something small to capture. It happened to be one happy evening when there was some snow coming down. I wasn’t aiming to capture the snowflakes, but the sharp ends of the tiny coniferous tree. I didn’t even think that the ends of the little needles have such strong ends. So there you go – again something new learned in this whole wide world!

Th city of Tartu’s urban planning for 2030+

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I haven’t posted posts of my photos for a while, which I have found online from different websites. They tend to pop up now and then. Here is one used to illustrate the city of Tartu’s urban planning for the years 2030+.

Unfortunately, I can’t find the source of this website, but luckily I have this screenshot saved.

I took this photo, while I was exploring the river Emajõgi and Supilinn borough, as it captured the communication between the river and the borough. Emajõgi is always an interesting subject at any season. I should explore it in the winter and see what it looks like now.

Happy New Year 2025!

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It has been a while since I last wrote anything in here. I guess time flies and life changes. This post will replace the post that I have had up since June 2023. Today is the 1st of January, 2025. So much has happened and there is so much to share, so if you care, please check the previous posts on the blog section occasionally. I will keep adding new stuff and share some news. Even if they are old, perhaps someone will learn something new or experience some good photography.

After many years, I was back in my hometown, which has become unaffordable, but this is another subject. On New Year’s Eve, the best I know how to greet the new year is taking fireworks photos, especially when my connection with photography has gotten lost. Since the city of Tartu no longer offers fireworks, the private citizens took the matter into their own hands and created a wonderful light show for my short photography session.

As usual, there are the so-called must photos, and then there are those photos, which are actually more interesting and offer a greater viewing pleasure and more information than just a beautiful fireworks photo. So, please allow me to share three photos I chose to present here to give you an idea of what I mean.

First photo.

Even though this is not your average dark-sky and colourful fireworks photo (I cropped some of those as well), then I still consider it now of the must photos. It was quite an accident how this photo came to be. My camera was pointed in the city direction, from where I was hoping to capture the fireworks photos, but since that didn’t happen, then after fireworks started appearing by the canal, I just turned the tripod head around and started shooting.

Second photo.

This frame created me the most joy, as I have never seen fireworks sent like that into the water. Sure the arches create interesting elements, but I as an environment lover, started thinking about the pollution and how it would have affected the life of the water creatures. The people in the front add definitely more to this frame and bring more life to it.

Third photo.

This is my favourite shot. A photo which I guess has the most meaning. Imagine the beach which was so busy and full of people and fireworks, is now stranded, but you can see two boxes of fireworks cases on fire and a lone figure, admiring the faraway fireworks in solitude by a quiet canal. I was not sure before writing these lines, which photo I would put up on the front page, but I guess this is it.

Overall, I feel like I am back in business, so if you need some photos in Estonia, please drop me a line at kerly/at/kerlyilves.ee Enjoy the new year and make the best out of it!

June nature

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Finally, it is summer! Or at least the month, when summer really starts. I guess it is still summer when you know you are not taking a break from work, as there is so much to do! Hahaha, I know a body needs a break. What would be the best time to have it than not in summer? So excited about what this beautiful month has to offer.

I feel like I repeat myself, but summer is the time to notice things. Explore and experience. Share and love. But yet again, any day of our lives should be lived like this – to the fullest, being the most present and appreciated. I guess it is not the best time to write anything while listening to Justament’s Petseri Tsura ja Hiitola Ätt. Words choke in my head, throat and fingers. But this only works when you are an Estonian!

/…/

Pictured here is a June shot from my earlier insects session in Hiiumaa at Kadri’s grandparents’ place. I got quite a few great shots of the June bugs aka Figeater Beetles. But what makes this shot great is the even smaller insect sitting on the beetle’s left side. When you think something is small, even something smaller exists. Miracles of the Mother Nature!

Let there be sun, laughs, good food and great company. Take it easy in June!

May clean-up

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I know this is a bit confusing, as Earth Day is in the end of April, on 22nd of April to be exact. But for many Estonians the month of May, especially the beginning of it is the time to roll up your sleeves and do something for the community. It is time for the The Let’s Do It collective action day. I have participated in this action for few times. Basically all the time when I am at home in Estonia.

It started as a small event, which has grown into a huge event and very loved by Estonians. A few years ago it was even organized as a worldwide event. A new tradition is born. It is called World Clean-up Day. On 16th of September it is your chance to participate in it and make the world a cleaner place.

About the photo. This was taken actually in 2010 – 13 years ago! I put this group together and people bought their own friends. So what are you seeing here are the friends of me, Anette and Maria. I invited them and they invited their friends. We were cleaning cemetery and found lots of evergreen flowers. This group picture was born after Maira thanked all participants in this clean-up day and handed to everybody a bunch of flowers. How can we not take a photo after hard work and such nice gesture.

Have you ever participated in Let’s Do It or the World Clean-Up Day? If not, I strongly suggest to. As it so much fun and you will be doing so much good for the planet Earth!

April fresh

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Well, if March wasn’t a spring month, then April definitely has to be one! Right? Look at this photo. Everything is brand new, full of energy and about to burst green. So beautiful, like a painting, right Hahaa, I guess I am really waiting for spring. Or Earth Day. On 22nd of April lots is happening all around the world. Read more from the above link and add your event. I will organize a nature clean-up again and I hope that some people are coming around as well to take care of nature while picking up some garbage. Get your spring on the right way!

March moon

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It may be a bit surprising or maybe not, that this photo was taken in March.

March moon photographer using a 200 mm telephoto lens

The picture really doesn’t give away any signs of the season. There are no visible trees. Also, no remains of snow. Which makes it a bit of an eerie photo. Not to forget the weird bluish tint.

Some consider March spring month, for some it is a definite winter month. Which is it for you?

I consider it a spring month, as it included Women’s Day. This day is known to be a busy day for flower shops, as many people around the world are buying flowers for the dear women in their lives. It is a fun thing, isn’t it? But it is no fun thing to think about what goes on to produce, transport and sell these flowers as the article HERE points out, not so rosy. The environmental impact is relatively high.

Food for thought, that on the eve of Women’s Day, I saved these flowers from their pre-timed death. For a whole week, they bought joy and beauty into my every day.

Saved from the garbage

December darkness

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Though it is the time of snow and colourful lights, the month of December is quite dark. Especially when there is no snow, the short days take their toll on the weaker ones, who are used to the sun and long days. Sad feelings may creep in and the gloomy days are no fun. No wonder that when many celebrate and are merry, many are sad and alone, also unhappy and desperate. Season to be merry and season to be sad. I painted quite a dark photo of December, and quite dark is the picture to describe this month. But this is something I do not wish on anybody. I wish you lots of light, love, warmth, care and happiness. Happiness for me is to take challenges and do what I love.

It was a challenge to take this photo, though it is not a single photo, two photos together, it still gives out a strong message. I know one photo would have worked itself, but I think it works better as a pair. It is my cousin and me on a cold December day. Interestingly enough, when I wrote these words, it happened to be her birthday (21st of December). Palju õnne, Sigrid!