Nuorttitunturi fell from Kynsivaara hill

Pulkkatunturi fell from Varrio II

Rakitsa hill from Varrio II

Varrio fells in red

Alpine bearberry in carmine red

Forestry west of Ruka fell.

The area of Kuusamo is famous for its national park of Oulanka, and for its skiing and other outdoors activities holiday resort of Ruka. Kuusamo is also site of private forestry activities, like planted forests, silviculture and harvesting, as is seen in this photograph taken from Naatikkavaara hill towards Ruka fell.

Autumn colours in Varrio fells (Varrio III)

Slopy peat bog at the foothill of Riisitunturi fell

Cowberry in Naatikkavaara

Cowberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) yield of 2005 is good in North-Eastern Finland.

Lake Ylikitka from Kouvervaara

Ylikitka is a large lake in Kuusamo and Posio municipalities in North-Eastern Finland. On the western side of the lake the fells of Riisitunturi and Karitunturi make the bordering land mass to the lake. On the eastern side of the the corresponding land mass is a long but lower hill (chain o f tops) called Kouvervaara.

26.8.2005

Sauoiva in August

Eriophorum scheuchzeri in Kaarasjokk

Candle spruces in Devil´s Creek

Waterfall in Devil´s Creek.

Mountain Betula in Varrio I.

In Regio subalpina of Varrio the mountain birches dominate. Is the birch a species of its own? Or is it a subspecies of Betula pubescens? For time to time the opinion of a species of its own, that is Betula tortuosa auct., has had its supporters. Currently the mountain birch is believed to be subspecies, that is Betula pubescens ssp. czerepanovii (N.I. Orlova) Hämet-Ahti. - Behind in the photo Kotovaara; the sun is shining from north.

SMEAR I forest of Kotovaara by midsummer night

SMEAR I climate station is situated in the middle of even Scots pine forest of Kotovaara mountain. The aluminium climate tower, shining in the midsummer night sun, is seen to the right, on top of Kotovaara. The bigger mountain behind is Nuorttitunturi. Just in front a narrow belt of regio alpina of Varriotunturi (Varrio I) is seen, and the birch - dominated belt of regio subalpina.

Junipers in Varrio fells.

Juniper (Juniperus communis) is the most tolerant conifer against heavy snow in winter contiditions of Varrio fells. These two specimens grow in Regio alpina of Varrio II.

Junipers in Varrio fell

Wilderness west of Varrio IV

2.7.2005

Spruces in Deep creek

Caltha palustris

Test photograph of Caltha palustris (rentukka), was taken at Kuntasjoki river on 18 June 2005.

Ylinuortti is the northern border river of Varrio nature conservation area.

Eriophorum vaginatum in Sokanaapa

Track to birdtower in Sokanaapa

Trollius europeus in late flower in Vuostimo

Devil´s creek pond

Midsummer night sun in Varrio mountains.

For one month the midsummer sun does not set at all in Varrio. This photograph was taken in a clear night from the northernmost Varrio mountain (Varrio I) on 18 June 2005 at 00:15. The 3 peaked mountain to the left from the sun is the mythical Korvatuntunturi mountain. It is believed to be the mountain where Santa Claus lives (off-season the Christmas). The borderline between Finland and Russia traverses Korvatunturi mountain, in the photograph from left to right so that the leftmost mountain (Juuoiva) in on the Russian territory.

June night in Lake Ylikitka

Sunset in Apaja bay of lake Ylikitka

Kemi river after flood peak

Varrio Subarctic Research Station

On a clear morning of 2 June 2005 Varrio Subarctic Research Station is free of snow. The skiis have been stored on the eastern wall of the station.

Varrio fells from eastern direction

Varrio Subarctic Station in March