Eiffel tower was of course must place to visit. Weather was colder than in Finland, but we climbed half way up in freezing weather. Last half was done by elevator.

Louvre

The most visited museum Louvre was our main destination. This huge museum is 160 000 square metres large and there were of course no change to see it all. This time we chose ancient Egypt and the most famous art works of the museum.

We arrived just before doors were opened and there were no crowds yet. When we left people were queuing outside to enter. Most of items had their own glass vitrines. Painting halls walls were more crowded. Glass pyramid was surprisingly fine and did not spoil the look of the yard.

Paintings of Leonardo Da Vinci

It was amazing how different style Da Vinci has compared to other artists. His works were easy to spot even if I have seen only couple of his paintings before in Hermitage. Mona Lisa had its own wall and four security guards of its own.

d’Orsay

This museum is dedicated to French impressionism. It was built in to old train station along Seine River. Its three exhibition floors had good collection of paintings and sculpture. Most famous were Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, Renoir and Edgar Degas. One floor had art nouveau furniture that I liked a lot. Photographing was unfortunately not allowed.

Mont Marte hill has an avenue called Place de la Tertre where painters and drawers make their work and sell paintings. Most of painters made just mechanical paintings but some were really good. Most interesting was seeing French easels at use. They seemed to be very practical.

I went out for taking pictures of frosty vegetation. You newer know when reference is needed. I often get inspiration to winter paintings during summer and vice versa. It was so cold that moisture from breathing made ice to eyelashes! Tree in front of our house had split because of shrinking ice inside it.

Merry Christmas

My sketches are almost always very quickly done and small. I do them when I want to plan painting composition or when I am building idea for a painting. Sometimes I draw details that I will use in painting. Other Finnish painters make many times more detailed and larger sketches that they colour. I admire their skill but I often would like to start making the final piece right away.

Some of my newest paintings will have original sketch attached on back of the painting.

Detailed story can be found in our birders diary blog

Picture collection of highlighs of the week end.

Hannu Sarvanne is drawing

Jari Kostet (left) and Hannu Sarvanne

Dick Forsman is photographing huge Jay flock.

Jay trying to fly south

Crossing the sea is very difficould for Jay.

Sparrow hawks vere attacking migrating birds.

Kari Eicher, Esko Railo and Seppo Leinonen are ready for next flock of birds.

Hannu Sarvanne is looking for wood pigeon flocks

Pekka Suhonen

Juho Könönen smiles happily after great birding day

Mating Grass Snakes.