Text and photos Tiit Hunt, www.rmk.ee
Translation Liis

Estonian text published 01.09.2017

That birds migrate even people very little aware of nature know. But that butterflies also may catch an irresistible wandering urge is certainly news for many of us. The more so since it is not a very common phenomenon in the insect world either.

Text and photos Tiit Hunt, www.rmk.ee
Translation Liis

Estonian text published 30.08.2017

The Ruhnu Kuningapuu (King’s Tree) known as the Holma White Elm is believed to be somewhat more than 300 years old

White elm; Fluttering elm     Künnapuu     Ulmus laevis

According to legend more than three quarters of the 300 inhabitants of Ruhnu island died in the great plague of 1710. After the devastating plague two white elms were planted at the gate of the cemetery. One of them grows there even today.

Photos Arne Ader
Translation Liis

Estonian text published 28.08.2017

Black-headed gulls

Black-headed gull   Naerukajakas      Larus ridibundus

The black-headed gulls, with heads coffee-brown to the neck, that were busy in the fields in spring during the springtime ploughing and familiar to all we also notice during the autumn ploughing: size about the same as the springtime birds, but somehow with light heads – the black-headed gulls are in their winter or non-breeding plumage .

Photo Arne Ader
Translation Liis

Estonian text published 28.08.2017

Sea buckthorn berries

Sea buckthorn    Harilik astelpaju     Hippophae rhamnoides

Sea buckthorn plantations add colour along road verges.

The fruit of the sea buckthorn, a stone fruit or drupe, is oval, coloured yellow to orange. The fruits are attached to the branches with short stems (pedicels), strongly and tightly, and only grow on branches from the previous year.

Video and photo Ahto Täpsi
Translation Liis

Estonian text published 26.08.2017

Bear; Brown bear       Karu or pruunkaru        Ursus arctos

The hunting season that lasts until the end of October has made bears very cautious. They have no-one to fear particularly except humans.