Autumn in the Narvik region
Over the course of a few short weeks, the summer loses its green grip as the colour-rich autumn sets in.
A season that is abundant and generous in so many ways.
At the end of August, the transformation in the Narvik region starts. The mountain birches turn yellow, and on the meadows the blueberry bushes dress in a flaming red colour.
It doesn't take long time for the rest of the trees and the forest floor to follow.
During September, the colour belt creeps down the mountain sides as the highest peaks are frosted by the first snowfall of the year. Light and colours change from day to day.
Mountain-ash (rowan) impresses with its varied colour palette that shines from deep yellow via luminous orange and strong red tones to a surprising touch of purple.
Autumn = harvest
Autumn is also the season of harvest. The bogs have dressed in gold. Under the August and September sun, clusters of alluring cloud berries appear in their beautiful golden cloaks.
Yellow and juicy, they lie in close proximity to the marshes and the slopes, calling to us, and luring us higher up and farther in. And we are lured.
At the beginning of September all moose and small game hunters feel an extra tingling in the stomach. The month marks the start of a new hunting season and soon moose scraps and lovely grouse will be maturing in garages and under the roof tops.
Lobster and hiking
September is also the month when the area's many domesticated and wild sheep are brought down from the summer pastures on the mountainsides, and in October you can hunt the world's northernmost lobster in the fjord under the steep north wall of the national mountain, Stetind.
The wonderful autumn nature is an irresistible invitation for hiking and outdoor activities. The mountain top tours are now at their most beautiful. The insects are almost gone, the colours are strong and the fresh clear autumn air provides extra broad views from the Narvik region's many mountain peaks.
Nothing can last forever
The farewell performance of the forest and the mountains is intense. For a week or two its flames reach glorious heights, then comes the first autumn storm and sweeps away the splendour.
Nothing lasts forever.
When the last, crisp-dry foliage has fallen to the ground, and the night frost has cracked it with rhyme, the autumn is immediately over. The colours are gone, the mountain puddles are covered with ice sheets and the sun loses altitude from day to day.
Indoors, the warm woollen blankets and slippers are put out, and more and more often one can notice smoke from the many chimneys around us. A new intense season is underway.
Maybe it will snow tomorrow.