Have you ever felt like life quietly pushed pause on something you love? In this post, I’ll share about life’s recent turns.
As you have noticed from my earlier posts, photography is my passion. I love wandering through nature with my camera, always seeking something new that I haven’t seen before. Being outdoors with my camera feels like a therapeutic session—it’s something I truly need!
Besides photography, I also enjoy working on my blog. I especially love reading comments and feedback from my readers, as it always gives me a sense of positivism.
As I mentioned, I love hearing from my readers. I’m curious to know what gives you energy and what your passion is. Feel free to leave a comment at the end of this post!
March was a Heavy Month for Me
March has been challenging month for me and because of this I haven´t posted anything for six weeks. I’ve really missed sharing my thoughts and images, but life had other plans. I hadn’t planned to stay away this long, but sometimes life rearranges our rhythm.
In early March, I caught a cold that I just couldn’t seem to shake. It left me drained and without energy to edit photos or write anything. On top of that, my photography course has taken a lot of time and focus. But the hardest part has been something far more personal – the loss of my beloved cat, Hemmo.
My Beloved Cat Hemmo
He was with me for 11 wonderful years. In mid-March, I had to make the heartbreaking decision to say goodbye. Hemmo was like a dog, always trailing me where ever I went. He had a habit of curling up next to me. This happened whenever I sat on a sofa watching TV. It was as if he knew that was our quiet time together. Even now, I sometimes find myself glancing toward that empty spot beside me.
The grief has been deep, and Hemmo is still with me in memory every day. In those quiet, heavy moments, photography once again became my way of grounding myself. It was a way to step outside and reconnect with life around me. Also the nature has been in important part in the healing process.
In the Forest you will find Peace of Mind
In the forest you will find peace of mind, at least I do. Walking around in the forest effects on mood, as the forest calms and speeds up recovery from stress. Studies show that staying in the woods lowers heart rate and blood pressure quickly, also muscle tension decreases.
I have written earlier about this topic. You can find more In the Forest you will find Peace of Mind.
Sense of Peace
Have you ever stepped away from something you love – only to return with a fresh perspective? That’s what this spring has been for me.
Despite everything, I slowly began to return to the rhythm of photography. Fresh air, early light, and a new camera gave me the motivation I needed to start again. Yes, I bought a new camera couple of weeks ago. Namely I entered into the world of mirrorless camera and I found totally new way of photography 🙂
Wandering Outdoors With My New Camera
My new camera is the Canon EOS R6 Mark II. Testing it out has been both exciting and rewarding. I’ve been amazed. Photographing birds and subjects near to the ground is much easier with this mirrorless camera.
With my older gear, bird photography often resulted in soft or missed shots. Besides that my neck was hurting when I tried to photograph some small object. Now, I’m finally getting sharper and more successful images. And I can go as low as needed and my neck is OK.
Trying Out the Canon R6 Mark II
The Canon EOS R6 Mark II is a powerful and fast full-frame mirrorless camera. It feels like it was made for nature and wildlife photography. One of its standout features is its advanced autofocus system. This system can recognize and track animal and human eyes. It does this with incredible precision.
Autofocus on Animal Eye
When it locks onto an animal’s eye, the camera follows it seamlessly, even as the animal moves. This has made photographing birds so much more intuitive and enjoyable. For the first time, I’m truly excited about bird photography – something I used to find quite challenging.
Why I’m loving the Canon EOS R6 Mark II compared to my former camera (Canon 5D Mark IV):
- Fast and accurate animal eye autofocus
- Great low-light performance
- Lightweight and comfortable to carry on long walks
- Impressive burst mode for capturing movement
- Flip-out screen that enables low-angle shots
- Fast electronic shutter allows 40 frames per second
- Silent shutter
What challenges you have in photography? I would love to hear your challenges and how you managed to fix them.
I will now show you some photos I have photographed with my new camera.
Photographing the Common Goldeneye
Near our home in Espoo is the Suomenoja bird pond, a well-known habitat where several rare species nest. It’s a lovely place to visit, with or without a camera. One morning at the beginning of April, just before sunrise, I headed to Suomenoja with Mr. H to photograph birds. I mainly focused on two species – the Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) and the Eurasian coot.
Funny and Charming Goldeneye
Sometimes, photographers overlook the Goldeneye because it is a common bird in Finland. Still, I find it quite charming. It is funny to watch and listen. A female Goldeneye swam surprisingly close to me while I was photographing them in Suomenoja. Its bright eyes caught the morning light. It was a beautiful moment, as the color of its eyes is so unique.
The Photos
So here is what I photographed during that morning and also some shots in the evening.
As you can see in above photo, it is photographed against the rising sun. If you are interested in learning how to photograph backlit photos, you can find tips HERE.
I mentioned this in my earlier post. Best photos are taken either early in the morning or late in the evening. The reason is the light. In case you want to learn more you can find my earlier post HERE.
I post earlier how to get bokeh in your photo. Please check the post HERE.
Are you familiar with this bird? What experiences have you had with it?
I personally find them fascinating. The male, especially during courtship, performs a show that’s both comical and charming. He arches his neck, points his beak to the sky, and calls out with enthusiasm. The Goldeneye is also an excellent diver and is easily recognized by its bright yellow eyes.
This spring has reminded me that photography isn’t just about images. It’s about being here. It’s about noticing small things and finding light even in hard times. With my new camera in hand, I’m learning, exploring, and slowly returning to what I love.
Thank you for reading and sharing this moment with me. It’s comforting to know that we can find connection through stories and images. We connect with each other, with nature, and with ourselves.
Stay connected and follow my blog for fresh insights, photography tips, and more. Have a great April 🙂
MINNA JACOBON 
Beautiful duck running on the water. Just like photography lifts you. I know you don’t know me, but I understand a lot about the loss of dear pets. It is hard. Sandy.
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Thank you Sandy 🙂 You comment warms my heart, if you can say so in English 😍 I am glad that nature and photography gives me something else to think about.
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It certainly warms ones heart! Take care as spring and your camera bring you bursts of joy.
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For me, losing a pet has always been the hardest of all things and I am so sorry about your beloved cat. We can only comfort ourselves knowing that we gave them happy lives, alas never long enough. Like you, I find comfort in Nature which is why I came to live in the country. It has made me an altogether happier person, in my declining years and it inspired me to take photographs although mine are completely amateur. My greatest challenges are the fact that my hands shake, not a great deal but enough to ruin photos, and my eyesight. I have double vision which is corrected with prisms but it makes focusing unreliable. Still, I do my best and Nature supplies plenty of images. The photos from your new camera are just wonderful and wildfowl are very dear to me. I look forward to your next captures!
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Thank you for kind comment Carol 🙂 It means a lot to me 😍 I love your photos! It is nice to see your countryside, houses and animals living there. You could use tripod for your camera. I use it usually when I photograph. Keep photographing even you have problems with your eyes. Don’t give up 🌞
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Beautiful photos. So sorry to hear of your loss, Mina.
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Thank you so much Lynette 🙂
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Sending healing energy to you, Minna. Very sorry for your loss. Hemmo will always be with you in spirit.
Wonderful photos! I was not familiar with Goldeneye. The mating dance is definitely entertaining! 🙂
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Thank you so much Magickmermaid fir your kind words. Loosing a pet is never easy. Goldeneye is funny bird 🤩 I am planning to have a nest for them in my cottage.
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Stunning images of the Goldeneyes Minna, they are photos to be proud of! I only get to encounter this duck in winter and then usually on the sea.
Heartbreaking losing a pet. When our cat Astra had to be put to sleep many years ago it left a big hole in our lives. For twelve years she slept on top of me, strange being able to move in bed and not have the claws slowly telling me to keep still! Oh and the rough tongue on my nose and that breath! We never replaced her, nothing could come close.
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Thank you so much for your kind comment. My new camera is awesome. I love it 😍😍😍
I still have Reea in my life. She is comforting me a lot. Reea is an old lady, 13-years old, but still in quite good condition. After she is gone I will never get a new pet. It is too painful to loose them 🥲
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First of all, wonderful pictures of the goldeneye (sv knipa). The light in this case gives that extra golden glow, which makes the whole series of pictures stand out. Sad about your cat. We have had six cats over the years, so I know how it feels but also that it can be fixed. Now we have three dogs!
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Thank you Hans for your kind comment 🙂You are right, the light plays important role in any kind of photo. As the sun on the morning or evening is low, it is possible to get beautiful golden color in photos.
My husband would like to get a dog 🤩 but I don’t want to have any pet after Reea (the black one) is gone. It is too painful to lose them 🥲
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Minna, I’m so sorry you lost your friend; it’s never easy.
As for the goldeneyes, the images are beautiful! I smiled after seeing that you photographed ducks “the right way;” that is, with a very low point of view. I usually never bother to do this, but your results are a reminder that my “good” shots could be better!
Thanks for that.
All the best, Mike.
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Thank you Mike for your kind comment.
My husband always reminds me to photograph as close to the water surface as possible. Now with my new camera it is possible 🙂
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Greetings Minna,
One of the things worse than losing a beloved fur-baby is never having them in your life to start with. I too have been in your shoes, many times. I thought no other cat would or could ever be as much loved, funny, comforting, and touch our lives as much, but then suddenly she died. What a tremendous loss.
I thought there would always be that empty hole in my heart and in our lives, and for several months it was just that way. But then, surprise, surprise. We heard about a young mother with young kids in Espoo who had a kitten that liked to open the doors of the house and escape outside. The mother couldn’t have her toddlers following the cat outside….it was time to find the kitten a new home.
That escaping kitten, Greta was the fur-baby we so badly needed and has filled our lives with laughs and comfort. I still say hello to Viiru, who is buried in our garden near a place she like to sit and watch the wildlife. My heart somehow healed and that huge empty hole was filled.
When you have lots of love to give, it’s strange, but reassuring to know that there is another cat (or dog) that will bring joy into your life. All of us can agree, the journey of their lives is too short, but I guess knowing this brings into focus just how dear each of their moments with us are.
Hugs, hugs, hugs.
Kate
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Thank you Kate for your kind comment 🙂 I am so glad that you have gotten a new cat, who is giving you the joy in your life.
I have Reea (the black cat) still with me. She is 13-years old lady. She is comforting me, even she can’t replace Hemmo. Both of them are dear to me, even Hemmo is no longer with us 🥲.
Take care!
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Such sweet bird shots! Looks like your new mirrorless friend is treating you well. And I’m very sorry for your loss. 💜
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Thank you for your kind comment 🐱Actually you are right, it is treating me very well and we have gotten to know each other pretty well 😁
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