Nature in the Kalevala - Nature and wildlife in Finnish folklore

Foreword Aurora Borealis - flames in the northern sky Skies the shade of gall Fog, mist and frost - the land's grey veil The forest - the land's blanket Mires and bogs - the last wilderness Lakes, the landscape's eyes Rivers and streams braid the landscape Dumped stones, potholes and scary tales Salmon is best, whitefish comes next Pike - terror of the reed beds Perch for soup, roach for salting Adder and frog - messengers from Manala The honey bee and the Kalevala Tits - bird table acrobats Cuckoo - golden voice of the wild The enigma of the Mother Earth and Sky Siberian Jay - the camp gossip Hooded crow - wary wayfarer Raven - smartest bird of all Magpie - the garden dandy Crane - king of the wetlands Bean goose - a regular migrant Hazel hen and willow grouse - Finland's smallest game birds Black grouse - jousting on the mire Capercaillie - unlucky but meaty Eagle-owl - lord of the forest night Black woodpecker - Väinämoinen's jungle drummer Whooper swan - sacred bird of wilderness pools Golden eagle - king of the skies Red squirrel - bright-eyed and bushy-tailed Mountain hare - the Long-ear of the Kalevala Wild forest reindeer - a tale of survival European Elk - Finland's big game Vivacious smaller predators Red fox - that lovable rogue Lynx - Finland's bob-tailed cat Wolf - Tapio's mythical dog Brown bear - lord of the forest The never-ending cycle History and importance of the Kalevala References