Ghosts of The Tundra.

In the depths of the Finnish Lapland, winter does not just cover the landscape—it sculpts it. The spruce forests are transformed into a field of silent, frozen giants.

This phenomenon is known locally as Tykky. It occurs when rime ice and heavy snow accumulate on trees in such quantities that the branches are completely hidden. These structures can weigh several tons, bending massive trees into strange, alien shapes that resemble statues more than biological organisms.

Atmospheric Rime

Rime ice forms when supercooled water droplets in fog freeze instantly upon contact with a surface. In the high-altitude fells of Lapland, the combination of constant wind and sub-zero moisture creates a thick, porcelain-like coating. This layer acts as a protective shield for the tree against the brutal wind, but the sheer weight also tests the structural integrity of the wood.

The Aurora Borealis

The lack of light pollution and the dry Arctic air make Lapland one of the premier locations for observing the Aurora Borealis. This light show is caused by solar particles colliding with the Earth's magnetic field. When these particles hit the atmosphere, they transfer energy to oxygen and nitrogen atoms, which then release that energy as vibrant green and violet light.