Year 2012 -a flashback... :)

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Kärruddenabben, Orust, Sweden 29/12-2012

Not many days left of December and it is soon getting time to welcome the new year. But before then I want to share some flashbacks from 2012... :)






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Already in the beginning of 2012, many of my big dreams became reality. Fabulous encounters with many different marine species of the Red sea were a fact! :)





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Exiting months along the coast of Egypt and it is time for us to continue our voyage north, through Gulf of Suez and the Suez Canal.

Finally we are back in Europe and the blue waters of the Mediterranean again.






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From a water temperature of 28°C I get a bit of a radical change when I join the film team Loke Film to the cold waters of the Canadian Arctic.

Here, between the ice blocks, our aim is to film the mysterious bowhead whales, a baleen whale believed to get an age of up to amazing 200 years...




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After a great time among ice and bowhead whales it is time to take the flights back to the heat again.

Back in Crete and a air temperature of up to 40°C... I can tell that I am very happy that our work is out at sea and beneath the cooling waves!







Greece and Crete are good spots for cave and cavern dives and so we spend many many dives and hours exploring those exiting environments...




Many wonderful experiences but 2012 did also have hard times. After 10 years of great team work, it feels very empty to no longer have my lovely border collie by my side.

However, I know she had a happy life and we had a wonderful time together. Laritza was a very cooperative dog who for sure will stay in numerous hearts forever...




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Long time in the water and we better get the sailing boat up on dry land for both maintance and service. With other words time to head north to Peloponnesos...




With the boat safe on land we are all able to take the air-way back to Scandinavia again. Long time no see!!

Already winter and though it is cold both Sweden and Norway show up with the most beautiful winter sceneries.




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With those flashbacks from 2012 and with the exiting feeling of a new adventurous year waiting ahead I wish you all a wonderful 2013!! :)

 To all of you:


Happy New Year!!!






Ps. More information and photos from year 2011 and 2012 you find HERE: 2011/2012. Ds.






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Merry Christmas!

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Trondheim, Norway 23/12-2012


Merry Christmas!

Wish you all a beautiful Christmas! 

... :)

/Birgitta







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"Mermaid of the Sea"

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Slussen, Orust, Sweden, 4/12-2012

The Ocean is home to the greatest diversity of life on our planet. A world filled with beauty and wonder. But less than 0,5% of marine habitats are protected!! 




Take 2 min and join me to the magnificient world beneath the surface. This time we are searching for the real mermaid... ;)

All footage from 2012 ©Crystal Water Film Production AB.

Via YouTube: "Mermaid of the Sea".




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Lighthouse in Salty Waves

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Chania, Crete, Greece, 11/11-2012

Rain... wind... waves...

... and it is cold ...



Cold?!... well, everything is relative... ;)

But slowly it is getting winter also here in the Mediterranean!





However, my opinion is that this grey weather is beautiful.

Just look at the clouds, the waves or the falling rain... it is not ”only” grey and wet, for me it is an exiting scenery! 


A scenery in constant change... :)




Also the old town of Chania remains a colourful place.




I have already been publishing many photographs of the light house of Chania but as a faithful neighbour this light house has become special for me.

Day or night and in all kind of weather this light house remains beautiful.




And a day like this, it looks even more majestic and powerful...




The wind is increasing and the waves are getting bigger... it is a perfect opportunity for photographing...

When I do not plan to go into the water the sea comes to me..., with other words there is a huge wave breaking over the pier offering both me and my camera a refreshing shower...!

Totally wet and salty I once again feel how much I love the ocean!!! :)











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Mountain Hiking

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Chania, Crete, Greece, 5/11-2012

Autumn in Chania... and the old harbour is becoming into a calm and very peaceful place...





Beyond the town, the massive mountains are offering a glorious view and the great silence is tremendous...




The wonderful surroundings make my smile growing bigger and bigger...

... yepp, the "mountain-goat" is climbing up the hill again...! ;)




This time, I go for the higher peaks and my hike follows small paths along the step slopes.





The Cretan mountains offer a majority of peaks above 2000 meters (up to 2456 meters).

I enjoy the feeling of climbing up the mountains and finally reach the level above the clouds.




 


The hike continues south...

... sweat and hot... but I truly love it!! :)





Many hours among mountains, peaks and stones and it is getting time to descend back to the vegetation.





I feel very happy to spend my time running and climbing in this impressive mountain surrounding, but even so I do start longing back to the cooling waves...

Time to head for the sea!





Finally, back at sea level again and it does not take many minutes before the mountain goat becomes into a fish... ;)

... sooo nice being in the water again!! :)




After a great day of hiking, it is pleasant for both feet and shoes to relax a bit...




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Gently waves from the ocean... tired feet and legs... a comfortable warming evening sun...

... maybe now is the right time for a small nap... ;)










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Water, Light and Reflections

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Chania, Crete, Greece, 30/10-2012

Water, light and reflections, beauties in constantly change...

... no moment stays the same ...




Day-light, or evening...






Pelagic ocean, or coastal waters...



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Above surface, or beneath the waves...

Regardless where we are, there are always scenarios well worth appreciating... :)
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