…is often beautiful but usually comes and goes in an unacceptably short time. Already during the last two weeks of August, Jokkmokk can experience frost and we notice that the birch trees are showing signs of turning from green to golden. As the weeks go by, Lapland goes through moose and bear hunting season, starting the first full week of September. Soon after this, the reindeer round-ups start in compliance with nature and life’s routines and continuing until the end of December.

Autumn is briefly remembered and thoughts of the dark winter occupy movements, work and routines.

New ice on a Lapland lake

I enjoy walking my dogs this time of year. Especially when the sun blasts out between gray clouds to brighten up my walk. I enjoy discovering fresh tracks of capercaillie, field mice, snowshoe hare or squirrels on a thin layer of snow. There’s life in the move. The air is warm when standing in the sun. I don’t have any hurry to the contentment of my dogs, who race around on the frosty and firm vegetation of the forest.

They say that if a person feels autumn is the best season of the year, then that person will have a comforting and enjoyable old-age. I wish autumn in Lapland was longer and not so eager to say goodbye.