Matias Takala

Satellite service developer and researcher D. Sc. (Tech.), amateur photographer, astronomy and atmosphere enthusiast, nature admirer and music lover.

[Matias Takala @elfsprite]

I am visiting Uusikaupunki in the western coast of Finland this weekend. I went to see the Pyhämaa old church from 17th century. The paintings inside are just stunning.

[Matias Takala @elfsprite]

Uusi kamerani pääsi heti tositoimiin, kun yöpilvikausi aukesi varsin mukavasti.

I just got me a new camera and the noctilucent cloud season opened with a decent display.

[Matias Takala @elfsprite]

I am trying to clean up my film stash, so I took some already shot films for development. I even had one roll of Agfa CT100 slide film. According to my notes, it was shot as recently as 2020! There seem to be lots of street photos from Kallio.

[Matias Takala @elfsprite]

Tänään luontoa laulun sijaan.

Walking in nature instead of singing today.

[Matias Takala @elfsprite]

I am attending singing masterclass in Kaivoksela, Vantaa for the third summer and I hadn't visited the historical (1744-1866) iron mine yet. The deepest shaft is 51m and called "Vuorimestari" (Bergmaster). About 35000 tons of iron ore was mined here.

[Matias Takala @elfsprite]

"Ravn flyg i himmelhjul"

[Matias Takala @elfsprite]

"Who masters the feared khöömei..." In the hands of Batzorig Vaanchig, the sound of the morin khuur was like a herd of wild horses galloping across the steppe or a neighing stallion. We also heard a tale about the great warlord Genghis Khan.

[Matias Takala @elfsprite]

Wood anemones covered the forest floor like a mattress, here and there patterned with patches of yellow anemones and fig buttercups. Lungworts were blooming too. There were also some dog's mercury in sight.

[Matias Takala @elfsprite]

Vuoden paras aika on juuri alkamassa ja siihen sopikin hyvin kolmen päivän luontoputki.

Best time of the year is beginning and three consecutive days in nature is a perfect match to it.

#sternaparadisaea #podicepsauritus #calthapalustris

[Matias Takala @elfsprite]

Perinteisesti vappuna kävin luontoretkellä.

On first of May I usually do some birdwatching.

[Matias Takala @elfsprite]

After a long pause I got to shoot with a model and we had a good time. It was exciting to get out of the dark studio to the bright sunshine of spring. One needs to do the dark dees from time to time. Model is stunning Neferet.

[Matias Takala @elfsprite]

Kevät etenee nopeasti, sammakoiltakin oli jo puhti pois ja sinivuokot taitavat lähestyä loppusuoraa.

Spring is advancing rapidly. The frogs were already exhausted and the hepaticas seem to wither away soon.

[Matias Takala @elfsprite]

I visited Espoo to see migrant birds and the situation was good. There has been news in Finnish media recently that bird watching and singing in choir are beneficial activities for your brain. I guess dementia is avoided then.

[Matias Takala @elfsprite]

Ihanaa kun on kevät! Luontoreissun kohteena oli tällä erää Karttula, teki hyvää kävellä metsässä ja järven rannalla.

I love that spring is back in Finland! I did a hike in Karttula, Kuopio. I enjoyed the lake shore and woods.

[Matias Takala @elfsprite]

Eilen taivaalliset sfäärit aukesivat Berliozin messua laulaessa, tänään taas ihan silmien edessä.

Yesterday the celestial spheres were shining while singing the Grande messe des morts by Hector Berlioz. Today the heavens are ablaze in my eyes.

[Matias Takala @elfsprite]

@Keorkios Näin auran!

[Matias Takala @elfsprite]

I checked Sentinel 2 satellite images from yesterday and there still was some sea ice on the coast. I headed to Lauttasaari and got some photos. Cranes were migrating from south spring is at hands.

[Matias Takala @elfsprite]

Spent the evening exploring Vantaa: guest at Heureka’s new planetarium opening (AstroQuest looked cool on the 10K screen, though dizzying), smoke rings in the science theater, Foucault’s pendulum, Ice Age giants and then at Hotel Vantaa to see the new Raven sculpture. Loved it!

[Matias Takala @elfsprite]

@TereSammallahti Sama ongelma on myös Kumpulan kampuksella, tosin varmaan epäsuhta ei ole ihan noin paha.

[Matias Takala @elfsprite]

Vuosi 2025 oli musiikkivoittoinen, ehdin kuitenkin myös kuvaamaan. Tässä siitä muistelua.

Year 2025 was heavily influenced by music but I still found time for photography. Here is a flashback.