Russian nature

These lovely nature cards were also sent by Galina.

I can't identify the location of this image but there's somewhere in northern Russia and it's seems a perfect place for a fox to live.

Photo by Igor Shpilenok

I'm not a fox expert but i think this is a red fox. She lives in the Kronotsky Nature Reserve, which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in 1996, as part of the “Volcanoes of Kamchatka”.

This is a nature area reserved for the study of natural sciences in the remote Russian Far East, on the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula.

"Malye Korely" Open-Air Museum of Wooden Architecture

A few months ago Galina proposed me a trade and we swapped 7 or 8 cards.

I really like wooden churches, that's something we don't have here. She had a few cards of the "Malye Korely" Open-Air Museum of Wooden Architecture and i picked this card.

This museum is located in Malye Korely, a village in Primorsky District of Arkhangelsk Oblast, in the north of Russia. The main sight of the village is this open-air museum, featuring the traditional wooden architecture of Arkhangelsk area.

The museum was created on July 17, 1964. Traditional wooden architecture has been recognized at the time one of the most characteristic features of Russian Norths, and some of the buildings, churches, chapels, and peasant houses, scattered all over the Arkhangelsk Oblast, were put under state protection. The goal of the creation of the museum was to save the most outstanding wooden monuments, placing them under protection on the premises of the museum. - in: wikipedia

And this is the St. George Church (1672) from the village of Vershiny.

RU-1419382 & RU-1549813

A church and a lighthouse from Russia.

 RU-1419382, sent by Lera.

This is the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Kazan, better known as the St. Paraskeva Church.

It was built in 1726-1728 in russian baroque style.

RU-1549813, sent by Liliy.

This is the "Fish Village" in Kaliningrad, a commercial area made up of small old-fashioned buildings, souvenir shops and stalls, smokehouses, wine cellars, fish restaurants, bars, cafes, discos, business premises, company offices, hotels and museums. The most recognizable building of “Fish Village” is a Viewing Tower “Lighthouse”.

You may enjoy a wonderful view over the river and the island of Kant sitting with a cup of coffee in a cozy cafe “Coffee Lounge”, located on the third floor of the tower.
In addition, there is an art gallery.

The tower’s height is 31 meter, 133 steps. 

Finnish official cards

I've been getting a lot of church cards from Finland, most of my last officials from there are churches. 

 Photographed and Published by Janne harala Tmi, Lahti

 FI-1666941, sent by Silve.
Enough of Helsinki's churches, this one is Michael's Church in Turku.

The church is situated in central Turku. It's named after Archangel Michael and was finished in 1905. It dominates the western skyline of the city of Turku was designed by Professor Lars Sonck and is one of the most popular wedding churches in Turku being able to seat 1,800 people. When Sonck won the competition for the church in 1894, he was only a 23-year old architectural student. Michael's Church is older than Michael's parish. The parish only dates back to 1921. - in: wikipedia
 

Photo by Kalevi Asplund

FI-1710722, sent by Sansku.

Kittilä is located in northern Finland north of the Arctic Circle within the area of the former Lappi province.

The lovely Kittilä church in designed by C.L. Engel, the architect of the cathedral in Helsinki, and completed in 1831. During the Lapland War it was the only building in the town not burned by the retreating German army.

FI-1640424, FI-1603537 & FI-1696927

Just three officials from Finland.

Inge Löök - Paletti

 FI-1640424, sent by Tuula.

This is my very 1st Inge Löök card. Usually i don't like this kind of cards but old people are the most important people of my everyday life and i must confess, i really liked this card. I just wished my old ladies were this happy and energetic.

Inge Löök was born in Helsinki in 1951. She is both a gardener and an illustrator. Today she lives in Pernaja, Finland.

Her illustrations are mainly inspirations from her own surroundings or life. To date, there are 36 different images of the aunties.

Other favorite images are from the nature. - in: http://www.ingelook.com/site1.html

www.karto.fi

 FI-1603537, sent by Taina.

A typical finnish snowy view.

Two words in finnish: talvi - snow; lumi - winter.

Published by Pentti Harrala Ky, Espoo - Photo by Markku Tano

FI-1696937, sent by Hilja.

After a few minutes searching on the web, i believe this is a picture of the Haapavitja rapid in the Ruunaa district.

In the Ruunaa district there is almost 20 km of water course, which include ca. 8 km of rapids and fast flowing currents.

Ruunaa rapids are part of the Lieksa river, which flows out from the vast woods of Russia.

The first two hundred meters of Haapavitja are the nicest. From the edge onwards the waters start surging down rather steeply for some hundred meters. You'll find the best spots in Haapavitja rapid by the stout blocks, which may hide a lot of trout. It is not unusual to hook over 40 cm ones there with a large-sized fish imitation fly. - in: http://www.fishinginfinland.com/PublisherFishinglordsSingleCard?selectedObject=102

DE-1956436

A few posts ago i've posted a danish card as an official from Sweden and now i've a german oficial but the card is from Sweden.  

© Petra Wöbke

DE-1956436, sent by Marc.

Klövsjö is a locality situated in Berg Municipality, Jämtland County, Sweden with 291 inhabitants in 2010. The wooden church was built by Pål Persson between 1795–1797. It replaced the earlier church from the 16th century. The major restoration was made in 1971-1972 and the interior was repainted. The altarpiece was painted by Jonas Granberg in 1742, it was moved from the previous church. The pulpit dates from 1858. - in: http://www.spottinghistory.com/view/1573/klovsjo-church/

NO-73576

My 3rd official from Norway. The card shows Eidsvoll's church.

NO-73576, sent by Tonni.

Eidsvoll is a municipality in Akershus county. Eidsvoll was the site where the constitutional assembly met to draft and sign the Constitution of Norway on 17 May 1814.

Eidsvoll's church was built in 1200. The church has conservation status protected by law.