Category: Nature

Merry Lughnasadh 

Despite the rainy intervals, these gorgeous swifts managed to catch some respite during a sunny spell, drying themselves in Lugh’s light.  I’m spending Lughnasadh, also the time of Lammas and the first harvest, camping with family near a farm in Skipton. We are enjoying… Continue Reading “Merry Lughnasadh “

Online Lughnasadh Festival

Ah Lughnasadh! The height of summer, a time of fun and games, the rise of the competitive spirit and a time to truly honour our ancestors, just as Lugh honoured his mother at this time. I could smell it this morning; that sweetness in… Continue Reading “Online Lughnasadh Festival”

Bee on Self Heal

I’m writing about Self Heal, prunella vulgaris,  for next month’s Pagan Pages. I’m lucky enough to have some of the herb crawling over my lawn, and was even luckier to get this lovely visitor when I popped out to get some photos:

A Visit from Ratatoskr

This beauty was in my garden first thing, calmly surveying her surroundings and ignoring my cat who was clumsily stalking her. I’m fairly sure this is a female; the males usually have a much bushier tail. In Norse mythology the squirrel Ratatoskr is actually… Continue Reading “A Visit from Ratatoskr”

Big Jim!

Meet Big Jim the chilli! That’s the actual name of this variety. I haven’t tried the peppers yet as this is the first. They smell sweet as opposed to fiery, but taste will tell! I haven’t grown too many plants this year what with… Continue Reading “Big Jim!”

Sunbathing Blackbird

This beautiful boy just hopped casually into the garden, flopped down, spread his wings and luxuriated in the sun. Why wouldn’t you?

Palm Weevil

This gorgeous creature is a good couple of inches long. We discovered it as it was clinging onto my fiancé’s foot on the beach of Port Cristo! I rescued it (and him) and sat it in the shade until it recovered enough to move… Continue Reading “Palm Weevil”

Midsummer Moments

Devoted Mother

Arachnophobes, look away now! A cellar spider (pholcidae) in our bathroom, clutching her egg sac. She’s been there for days, determinedly carrying the unborn babies everywhere she goes, and even fighting off a rival (they sometimes eat each other!). I’m moving her soon, as we… Continue Reading “Devoted Mother”

Spring Treasure

I’m languishing in bed feeling sorry for myself at the moment, however at the start of the Easter break I did manage to get out and about a bit. Nathan and I had a lovely walk to our local town, via the woods that… Continue Reading “Spring Treasure”