Photos from a summer trip to Troms and Finnmark, Northern Norway, in 2018
All of the photos shown here were taken in Troms or Finnmark counties in late July or early August 2018. This was not a well-planned trip, so the destinations were selected from day-to day. The first three days I spent in the eastern valleys in Troms. First stop was Signaldalen in Storfjord municipality, were I was looking for the the rare Læstadius Poppy (læstadiusvalmue) on the river banks of the Signaldalelva. No luck there. But the valley is very scenic, with the twin-peaks of Otertind mountain dominating the lower parts. Second stop was in Skibotndalen further north, where I was able to find the Close-sheated Cotton-grass (gulmyrull), a species I had not encountered before. Then I went to the next valley, which starts at Birtavarre in Kåfjord municipality. Here it is possible to drive via a dirt road in Kåfjorddalen to Guolasjávri, a lake (at about 850 mamsl) supporting a hydroelectric power station which has regulated water-level fluctuations. Finlands highest mountain, Halti (at 1324 mamsl), is relatively easily accessible from this lake, explaining all the cars with Finnish vehicle registration plates seen there. Spending about 24 hours around Guolasjávri I managed to find several rare alpine plant species. To me, the most exiting find was the Hawkweed-leaved Saxifrage (stivsildre).
In Finnmark county I visited town such as Alta, Havøysund, Lakselv, Tana, Vadsø, Vardø and Kirkenes. I spent a couple of days looking for whales, but no big luck there. I only briefly saw one dolphin species south of Havøysund, and a porpose (nise) in the Hamningberg area. The porpoise was obviously following a big whale, which gathered a lot of gulls, but I was not able to see or decide which species (most likely a Minke Whale, as I have seen porpoises following hunting Minke whales in the region earlier). Also for birding the Finnmark trip was a bit of a dissapointment. But the weather was great, with temperatures up to 31°C some days, so it was a nice break from work. In Finnmark I also managed to find a few rare plant species, including the Lapland Poppy (kolavalmue) and the Tartarian Catchfly (tatarsmelle).
Lapland Poppy / Kolavalmue (Papaver lapponicum ssp. lapponicum), Talvik, Alta
Otertinden, Signaldalen, Storfjord, Troms, July 26, 2018
Signaldalelva. No signs of the Læstadius Poppy / Læstadiusvalmue (Papaver radicatum ssp. laestadianum) on the river banks
Close-sheathed Cotton-grass / Gulmyrull (Eriophorum brachyantherum), Skibotndalen, Storfjord, Troms, July 26, 2018
Close-sheathed Cotton-grass / Gulmyrull (Eriophorum brachyantherum), Skibotndalen, Storfjord, Troms, July 26, 2018
Close-sheathed Cotton-grass, distingushed from Hare's-tail Cottongrass by three-nerved bracts
I think this is Salisburg Eyebright / Lappøyentrøst (Euphrasia salisburgensis), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord, July 26, 2018
Siberian Sea Thrift (Arctic Thrift) / Sibirkoll (Armeria scabra), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord, July 26, 2018
Siberian Sea Thrift (Arctic Thrift) / Sibirkoll (Armeria scabra), Guolasjávri
Guolasjávri, Kåfjord
Guolasjávri, Kåfjord
After-flowering Red-tipped Lousewort / Brannmyrklegg (Pedicularis flammea), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord, July 26, 2018
After-flowering Hairy Lousewort / Lodnemyrklegg (Pedicularis hirsuta), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord, July 26, 2018
Alpine Milkvetch / Nordlig setermjelt (Astragalus alpinus ssp. arcticus), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord, July 26, 2018
Snow Buttercup / Snøsoleie (Ranunculus nivalis), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord, July 27, 2018
Hawkweed-leaved Saxifrage (Stiff-stemmed Saxifrage) / Stivsildre (Micranthes hieracifolia), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord, July 27, 2018
Hawkweed-leaved Saxifrage / Stivsildre (Micranthes hieracifolia), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord, July 27, 2018
A late Narrowleaf Arnica - Arctic Anrica / Fjellsolblom (Arnica angustifolia ssp. alpina), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord, July 26, 2018
Nutty Saw-wort / Fjelltistel (Saussurea nuda), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord, July 26, 2018
White Mountain Orchid / Fjellkvitkurle (Pseudorchis albida ssp. straminea), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord, July 27, 2018
Falce Orchid / Fjellkurle (Chamorchis alpina), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord, July 26, 2018
Arctic Bell-Heather / Kantlyng (Cassiope tetragona), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord, July 27, 2018
Arctic Bell-Heather / Kantlyng (Cassiope tetragona) with fungus infection (Exobasidium cassiopes or similar species), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord, July 27, 2018
Probably vivipar Alpine Meadow-grass / Knoppfjellrapp (Poa alpina vivipara), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord, July 27, 2018
Nodding Saxifrage / Knoppsildre (Saxifraga cernua) Guolasjávri, Kåfjord, July 27, 2018
Possible Arctic Alpine Fleabane / Svartbakkestjerne (Erigeron humilis), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord, July 27, 2018
Frog Orchid / Grønnkurle (Coeloglossum viride), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord, July 27, 2018
Snow Gentian / Snøsøte (Saxifraga hirculus), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord, July 27, 2018
Alpine Sandwort / Tuearve (Sagina biflora), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord, July 27, 2018
Arctic Mouse-ear Chickweed / Snøarve (Cerastium nigrescens), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord, July 27, 2018
Arctic Mouse-ear Chickweed / Snøarve (Cerastium nigrescens), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord, July 27, 2018
Alpine Pearlwort / Setersmåarve (Sagina saginoides), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord, July 27, 2018
Alpine Pearlwort / Setersmåarve (Sagina saginoides), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord, July 27, 2018
Possible Tufted Pearlwort / Stuttsmåarve (Sagina caespitosa), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord, July 27, 2018. Posted the image on a plant ID forum, but the experts kind of couldn't agree on species
Snow Saxifrage / Snøarve (Saxifraga nivalis), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord, July 27, 2018
Alpine Mouse-Ear / Fjellarve (Cerastium alpinum)
Creeping Spreawort / Evjesoleie (Ranunculus reptans), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord, July 27, 2018
Smooth Whitlow-grass / Skredrublom (Draba glabella var. glabella), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord, July 27, 2018
Smooth Whitlow-grass / Skredrublom (Draba glabella var. glabella), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord, July 27, 2018
Snow Whitlow-grass / Snørublom (Draba nivalis), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord, July 28, 2018
Snow Whitlow-grass / Snørublom (Draba nivalis), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord, July 28, 2018
Woolly Pussytoes / Sølvkattefot (Antennaria villifera), Guolasjávri, Kåfjord, July 28, 2018
Woolly Pussytoes / Sølvkattefot (Antennaria villifera). Has narrow leaves with three nerves
Reisadalen, Troms
Fish farm in Langfjorden, Alta
Lapland Poppy / Kolavalmue (Papaver lapponicum subsp. lapponicum), Talvik, Alta, July 28, 2018
Lapland Poppy / Kolavalmue (Papaver lapponicum subsp. lapponicum), Talvik, Alta, July 28, 2018
Growth habitat for Lapland Poppy, Alta, Finnmark
Wild Chives / Sibirgrasløk (Allium schoenoprasum ssp. boreale), Alta, July 28, 2018
Drying rack for stockfish, Kokelv, Kvalsund
Layered rocks, Måsøy
Porsangerfjorden at Lakselv, Finnmark
Habitat for Four-Leaved Mare's Tail / Korshesterumpe (Hippuris tetraphylla), Porsanger, Finnmark
Four-Leaved Mare's Tail / Korshesterumpe (Hippuris tetraphylla), Porsanger, July 28, 2018
Four-Leaved Mare's Tail / Korshesterumpe (Hippuris tetraphylla), Porsanger, July 28, 2018
Four-Leaved Mare's Tail / Korshesterumpe (Hippuris tetraphylla), Porsanger, July 28, 2018
Four-Leaved Mare's Tail / Korshesterumpe (Hippuris tetraphylla), Porsanger, July 28, 2018
Fringed Pink / Silkenellik (Dianthus superbus), Børselv, Porsanger, July 29, 2018
Fringed Pink / Silkenellik (Dianthus superbus), Børselv, Porsanger, July 29, 2018
Golden Dwarfgentian / Bleiksøte (Gentianella aurea), Børselv, Porsanger, July 29, 2018
Golden Dwarfgentian / Bleiksøte (Gentianella aurea), Børselv, Porsanger, July 29, 2018
Windmill Fringed Gentian / Fjæresøte (Gentianopsis detonsa), Børselv, Porsanger, July 29, 2018
Windmill Fringed Gentian / Fjæresøte (Gentianopsis detonsa), Børselv, Porsanger, July 29, 2018
Common Cottongrass / Duskmyrull (Eriophorum angustifolium), Børselv, Porsanger, July 29, 2018
Surbuktvatnet, Børselv
Common Mare's-tail/ Hesterumpe (Hippuris vulgaris)
Dark-red Helleborine / Rødflangre (Epipactis atrorubens)
Hairy Marsh Pea / Håret myrflatbelg (Myrskolm) (Lathyrus palustris subsp. pilosus), Tana, July 29, 2018
Hairy Marsh Pea / Håret myrflatbelg (Lathyrus palustris subsp. pilosus), Tana, July 29, 2018
Tana River, Finnmark
Polmak River, Finnmark. Growth habitat of the Tartarian Catchfly
Tartarian Catchfly / Tatarsmelle (Silene tatarica), Polmak, Tana, July 30, 2018
Tartarian Catchfly / Tatarsmelle (Silene tatarica), Polmak, Tana, July 30, 2018
Tartarian Catchfly / Tatarsmelle (Silene tatarica), Polmak, Tana, July 30, 2018
Tartarian Catchfly / Tatarsmelle (Silene tatarica), Polmak, Tana, July 30, 2018
Polmak towards Finland
Varangerbotn, Nesseby
Arctic Buttercup / Setersoleie (Ranunculus hyperboreus), Vadsø, July 28, 2018
Arctic Buttercup / Setersoleie (Ranunculus hyperboreus), Vadsø, July 28, 2018
Sandfjorddalen, Båtsfjord
Along the road to Hamningberg
Yellow Oxytropis, also called Yellow Milkvetch and Field Locoweed / Russemjelt (Oxytropis campestris ssp. sordida), Sanddalen, Båtsfjord, July 31, 2018
Yellow Oxytropis / Russemjelt (Oxytropis campestris ssp. sordida), Sanddalen, Båtsfjord, July 31, 2018
Field Fleawort / Finnmarkssvineblom (Tephroseris integrifolia), Persfjord, July 30, 2018
Field Fleawort / Finnmarkssvineblom (Tephroseris integrifolia), Persfjord, July 30, 2018
Siberian Sea Thrift (Arctic Thrift) / Sibirkoll (Armeria scabra), This time from sea level, at Svartnes, Vardø, July 31, 2018
Strict Primrose / Normansnøkleblom (Primula stricta ssp. obesior), Svartnes, Vardø, July 31, 2018
Sunddammen, Vardø
Oyesterleaf / Østersurt (Mertensia maritima), Vardø, July 31, 2018
Svartnes, view toward Vardø Island. The new Globus III radar is dominating the Vardø skyline, July 31, 2018
Construction work in Vardø. The new, massive 10-story high Globus III radar used for spying on Russia (replacement for Globus II radar) is part of the US global missile-defense system. As one local said: "Though the current radar system is operated by Norwegians, Vardo’s main hotel is often filled with American technicians and spies masquerading as bird watchers"
"Pomor Starwort" / Pomorstjerneblom (Stellaria hebecalyx), Vardø, July 31, 2018
"Pomor Starwort" / Pomorstjerneblom (Stellaria hebecalyx), Persfjord, July 31, 2018
"Pomor Starwort" / Pomorstjerneblom (Stellaria hebecalyx), Vardø, July 31, 2018
"Pomor Starwort" / Pomorstjerneblom (Stellaria hebecalyx), Vardø, July 31, 2018
Arctic Skua - Parasitic Jaeger / Tyvjo (Stercorarius parasiticus), Komagdalen, Vardø
Ruff / Brushane (Philomachus pugnax), Vardø
Common Mare's-tail / Hesterumpe (Hippuris vulgaris), bordering toward Lance-leaved Mare's-tail / Brakkhesterumpe (Hippuris lanceolata / Hippuris tetraphylla x vulgaris), Litleevneset, Vadsø, July 31, 2018
Common Mare's-tail / Hesterumpe (Hippuris vulgaris), Litleevneset, Vadsø, July 31, 2018
Sea Pea / Strandflatbelg (Lathyrus japonicus), Grense Jakobselv, August 1, 2018
Sand Rock-cress / Sandskrinneblom (Arabidopsis arenosa), Sør-Varanger, August 1, 2018
Close-sheathed Cotton-grass / Gulmyrull (Eriophorum brachyantherum), Sør-Varanger, July 31, 2018
Marsh Labrador Tea / Finnmarkspors (Rhododendron tomentosum), Sør-Varanger, August 1, 2018
Alpine Bulrush / Sveltull (Trichophorum alpinum), Sør-Varanger, August 1, 2018
Yellow Oxytropis / Russemjelt (Oxytropis campestris ssp. sordida), Sør-Varanger, July 31, 2018
Red (Russet) Cotton-grass / Brannmyrull (Eriophorum russeolum), Munkelv, Sør-Varanger, July 31, 2018
Red (Russet) Cotton-grass / Brannmyrull (Eriophorum russeolum), Munkelv, Sør-Varanger, July 31, 2018
Kirkenes, Sør-Varanger, August 1, 2018
Siberian Aster / Sibirstjerne (Eurybia sibirica), Svanhovd garden, Sør-Varanger, July 31, 2018
Jarfjordfjellet, Sør-Varanger, August 1, 2018
Grense Jakobselv, Sør-Varanger, August 1, 2018
Water Awlwort / Sylblad (Subularia aquatica), Svanvik, Sør-Varanger, August 1, 2018
Great Sundew / Smalsoldogg (Drosera anglica), Sør-Varanger, August 1, 2018
Creeping Lady's-tresses (called Dwarf Rattlesnake Plantain in the US) / Knerot (Goodyera repens), Svanvik, Sør-Varanger, August 1, 2018
Creeping Lady's-tresses / Knerot (Goodyera repens), Svanvik, Sør-Varanger, August 1, 2018