For hours I had driven continually through tall black forests on narrowing roads. By 10p.m. it had been dark for over four hours. Instead of cars I now met with hares - hares sitting upright in the middle of the road at regular intervals. Dazed by the headlights, they would freeze momentarily, and then be gone, much to my relief. I was rather hoping to see moose. This is moose country, and catching sight of these large, gaunt creatures in their natural habitat is always awe-inspiring. It can, of course, also be dangerous, should the animal choose to show up unexpectedly in front of the car.
One morning, having just sat down in the car to drive away I nearly jumped out of my seat. Glancing over at a gravel-covered side road, I saw one of the largest living moving things I’d ever encountered in a Swedish forest. A bit too close for comfort, a large moose bull was contemplating his next move. I grabbed my camera, enthralled by this chance encounter. Its majestic features seemed to me to be larger than life.

I drove with extreme caution for Småland is not only known for its glass, IKEA and tomtenissar, it has elk and is inhabited by the indigenous peoples called Smålänningar.