Spring is here.

It's the season of frosty weather and thaw taking turns, changing from snowing to fully sunny days. I hope temperatures to drop back below zero still, allowing some good skiing to come before the snow melts away.

As I,ve mentioned earlier, in February and March I'm quite busy with guiding on sled dog trips. Not making much knives at all, as I'm trying to spend as many free days as possible skiing in the woods and fells.

Here's some sceneries and such of my daily chores since the previous post.

Can't really complain about this kind of view from your "office".

Even though the spring is usually quite sunny up here, that's not always the case. This day it was pretty difficult to keep your eyes open without any goggles. Tough wind for the people. For the dogs it most likely gave some wellcomed extra cooling, as the temperature wasn't that low at all.

This hazel grouse trusted in me not spotting it. It was a safe bet though, as the hunting season is in the autumn. I skied a circle around it, only 2 meters away at the closest.

Willow grouse hunting is on 'till the end of March up here.

Youngest member of our family, 6 months old nordic spitz Kumu, being a clever guy here....

When I knocked on the window he obviosly was pretending just to be sighting up there.....

But didn't take long to see what was the real reason to jump up there.

Watching a young dog enjoying the outing always makes you happy. Animals have better ability to live in the moment. Is it a gift or an inability if you compare to us?

Kumu noticed that suddenly it's possible for him to run freely almost anywhere, as the cold nights after warmer days have stiffened the snow. What a joy!

Quite a lot of snow at some places still. This was taken on a skiing trip in Lemmenjoki national park. My pole is about 150cm, and didn't touch the ground yet on this hillside

Benefits of the winter; crossing creeks, rivers, lakes, and marshes is pretty easy.

Peaceful view, open wilderness as far as you can see.

There are pros and cons in both, but good thing in skiing compared to snowshoes is you get to travel gentle slopes like this almost for free.

Nice place for an open wilderness hut in Lemmenjoki national park.

This is what happens for me quite often when hunting willow grouses. Before you get your gun ready with the skis and poles on, birds have taken off already. Especially when the weather is really cold and you have to wear thick gloves while skiing. But there's more days to come. And if not, skiing in the wilderness for the last one definitely wasn't the worst choice.....