Kurjet (The Cranes), sculpted in 1947 by Jussi Mäntynen, is among the most graceful public artworks in Oulu. Cast in bronze and set on a natural stone base, the sculpture depicts a pair of cranes with their chicks.

The crane is the regional bird of North Ostrobothnia, and migrating flocks are a familiar sight in Oulu’s skies in late spring. Their calls—distinctive and far-carrying—often evoke a sense of melancholy and longing.

Mäntynen created several notable animal sculptures across Finland, the most famous perhaps being Hirvi (The Elk) in front of the Finnish Museum of Natural History in Helsinki.

#Oulu #PublicArt #JussiMäntynen #Sculpture #Cranes #Finland #NordicArt #CityNature #BronzeSculpture #NorthOstrobothnia

Another nice story before I head outside to make my own.

The first photo is of the author checking out some speedwell and I think the first flower I took a photo off last week was a tiny Germander Speedwell flowering earlier than it's country cousins by a garden wall in Wolverhampton.

There is a lot to be said for a slow walk in the urban jungle :)

#UrbanNature #WildPlants #CityNature #UrbanFlora #NatureInTheCity #GreenCities #solarpunk

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/09/country-diary-a-riverside-walk-reveals-the-citys-history-written-in-plants

Country diary: A riverside walk reveals the city’s history written in plants

Lower Ouseburn, Newcastle upon Tyne: Under boardwalks, in concrete, on window ledges, seeds borne by water and carried on feet survive

The Guardian
Seen on my walk yesterday in and around Uutela, Helsinki.

”Summer is for surrendering. Winter is for wondering.” -Debasish Mridha -

#winterlandscape #naturephotography #pines #pinetrees #citynature #walk
Deliberately getting lost in an old part of town, without avoiding the dead-end streets. Because there is always something there.

#EverydayBeauty #TreeRoots #TravelPhotography #PottedPlant #NaturalLight #CityNature #DeadEnd
The unique nature in Stansvik, Helsinki, that’s been defended for years by nature conservation associations is bit by bit being whittled away in the corners.

#natureconservation #citynature #Nature #trees #helsinki #winter #luonto #finnishnature
#urban #miracle
On my old #roof. If it can’t stop all the rain this #winter sometimes at least it gives some life.
#photography #mobilephotography #iphonephotography #citynature #plants #weed
Vantaa River at Tikkurilankoski rapids this afternoon.

#naturephotography #rapids #citynature #snow #vantaa