Orchid Rescue
Today I rescued some bee orchids (Ophrys apifera) from being mowed.
I spotted these beautiful and distinctive little flowers outside work yesterday. With the brown centre that is shaped to look like a bee, they’re one of nature’s great mimics. Sadly, they’re declining in numbers. Each single flower takes the plant up to 8 years to produce. If it is cut too soon, its only chance of producing…
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First Blooms
drawn forth by warm sunrays
tender rosebuds unfurl
for old friendships rekindled and
new friendships that bloom
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Ssh...
Ssh…
It’s Wordless Wednesday.
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At the Water's Edge
At the Water’s Edge
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Bug Life
Bug Life
Day 365 of 365 Days Wild
I’ve finally reached day 365 of 365 Days Wild. Yay!
For my last day of the challenge to do something out in nature every day, I spent some time yesterday doing a bug hunt in the meadow. There were so many insects, flies and butterflies to be found. I also tried to identify everything that I spotted.
These are what I found:
1)Fourteen-spotted Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata)…
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Sunset Pinks
On day 363 of 365 Days Wild I watched the sunset over the field behind our house. I particularly loved the pink of the hawthorn blossom against the pink sky.
It was a lovely sunset.
The cattle are now back in residence. Mostly they seem to stay over the far side of the field, but occasionally I catch a glimpse of them at the barn or close enough to photograph.
How have you been connecting with…
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Paths of Dappled Sunlight
Paths of Dappled Sunlight
Day 362 of 365 Days Wild
walk on paths of dappled
sunlight, where summer’s
pinks bloom amidst the
dandelions’ great hurrah
and the cow parsley froths
corridors beneath blue skies:
there, take a journey with the
season’s steady turning, each
step, as each heartbeat, as
each turning of the wheel:
for within each new flower’s
bloom are displayed the
possibilities of renewal, as
life is emboldened by
the…
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Speedwell Array
On day 361 of 365 Days Wild I spotted some new speedwell flowers growing in the grass outside work.
These are, I think, Corn Speedwell (Veronica arvensis). Their flowers are far smaller than those of Germander Speedwell, which are also growing nearby.
What flowers have you spotted recently? Let me know in the comments below.
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Garden in Bloom
On day 360 of 365 Days Wild I spent some time in the garden, enjoying the late afternoon light on the flowers.
The Aquilegia, Alliums, and Irises are the current stars of the show.
How have you connected with nature recently?
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Break-time Wildflowers
On day 359 of 365 Days Wild I went searching for wildflowers in the grass outside the play area in which I work.
After having had most of the last year off, it’s been a bit of a shock to the system to return to work again. Whilst it’s been nice to see everyone and to actually interact with people again, I’m definitely missing being able to spend so much of my time out of doors. On my break I was…
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On the Lanes
On day 358 of 365 Days Wild I wandered along the local lanes, once again under cloudy skies. The cloud-cover seems to have been a constant lately.
The verges are dominated by white flowers at the moment: Greater Stitchwort, White Dead-nettles, Garlic Mustard, Cow Parsley, and Dandelion seed heads. The hedgerows are filled with white Hawthorn blossom. It’s a beautiful sight, even on a dull…
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Beneath Cloudy Skies
On day 357 of 365 Days Wild I walked along newly mown meadow paths beneath cloudy skies.
The sky was sullen and overcast, and a strong, chilly wind blew, but I wandered the new paths with a sense that summer was finally growing near. Flowers have started to bloom all around the meadow, and the insect life is thriving. Now all we need is a bit of warmth to bring out the rest.
How have you been…
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Bees in Cranesbill
On day 356 of 365 Days Wild I spent some time drawing a bee.
The Cranesbill flowers are currently growing quite profusely along the grass verges beside the local lanes, so I collected a handful of sprigs for my bee art. It wasn’t until I looked at them closely that I realized that there are actually two different types of Cranesbill to be found. The larger, brighter pink flowers are, I think,…
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Bee Rescue
Bee Rescue
Day 355 of #365DaysWild
On day 355 of 365 Days Wild I rescued a bee from drowning.
I spotted it struggling in the water as I approached the pond. I quickly found a stick that was long enough to reach it, which I lowered into the water next to the bee. The bee climbed straight on. Once it was safely back on dry land, I let it climb onto my hand and I carried it round to a nearby hawthorn tree. I left it there, happily…
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Pink Hawthorn
Pink Hawthorn
Day 354 of #365DayWild
On day 354 of 365 Days Wild I spent some time with the young pink hawthorn tree behind our fence.
It looked particularly lovely with the early evening sun shining through the leaves and onto its petals.
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Of Meadow Flowers and Storm Clouds
On day 343 of 365 Days Wild I wandered down to the meadow to see what was in flower. It’s wonderful to see the familiar summer wildflowers, including red clover and bird’s-foot trefoil, now starting to appear. The Meadow Saxifrage is a welcome newcomer.
There were some impressive clouds over the meadow, though the sun occasionally broke through. My outing was brought to an end by a rumble of…
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May Minibeasts
May Minibeasts
Day 352 of 365 Days Wild
Common Froghopper (Cercopis vulnerata)
On day 352 of 365 Days Wild I went on a bug hunt in the meadow, to see what minibeast life can be found amongst the burgeoning growth.
Identifications are (hopefully) in the gallery captions. Just click on the gallery to see them.
have you been on any big hints recently?
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