Botanizing Again – BioBlitz

11 juni, 2018 / Leya / 21 kommentarer

June 9 we had the annual BioBlitz, according to Wikipedia: ”… an intense period of biological surveying in an attempt to record all the living species within a designated area. Groups of scientists, naturalists and volunteers conduct an intensive field study over a continuous time period (e.g., usually 24 hours). There is a public component to many BioBlitzes, with the goal of getting the public interested in biodiversity. ^”

In the header, the most spectacular find according to me: the Buff-tip, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buff-tip, an extraordinary moth looking exactly like a twig when resting. Very exciting this day out with the group again!

We met this sunny morning – tolerably hot before noon – with loaded cameras and water bottles. Our leaders always on the alert – and all the others learning and marveling at their profound knowledge. There are really no questions they cannot answer. Invited specialists were also here, but the poor mushroom man did not have much to do. The dry spring and summer hasn’t left many detectable species.

Recording. After giving their consent to use forests and farmland, the land owners were also invited to join us this day. They were very helpful in showing special habitats.

fox-and-cubs, orange hawk bit, devil’s paintbrush, grim-the-collier

Once again – this nature’s wonder! The end of an interesting day – I guess we all returned home with happy hearts and a package of new knowledge.

Thursday Thoughts – Mindful Moments

7 juni, 20187 juni, 2018 / Leya / 12 kommentarer

If you know me…you know that the forest is my home. These days are wild orchid days, and when the forest opens up to the light and the stillness of the wetlands and its inhabitants…I will be there for short mindful moments before sunset.

Walking slowly, not to disturb anyone or anything, I follow the boardwalk between nodding armies of cotton grass or bog cotton.

The orchids here are mostly Dactylorhiza with subspecies – marsh orchids. Listera ovata in the middle, lowest row.

Listera ovata

In the setting sun, the rays shine enigmatic life to everything growing. The tiny purple marshlocks glow and the grasses throw flames of greens your way.

Detta bildspel kräver JavaScript.

I rest in the middle of everything – feeling blessed

Thursday’s Special – Pick a Word in June -y3

7 juni, 2018 / Leya / 24 kommentarer

For the lovely Paula at Lost in Translation – a new word lesson! This time, I had to look up pullulating and victuals. Thank you for the useful knowledge. Interpreted my way.

Pictures from Sweden, Switzerland, New Zealand, Poland and Britain.

Nascent

Maternal

Pullulating

Victuals

Reflective – in the header another interpretation…

Wordless Wednesday

6 juni, 20186 juni, 2018 / Leya / 16 kommentarer

Thursday’s Special: Traces of the Past

1 juni, 20181 juni, 2018 / Leya / 34 kommentarer

Paula’s traces are many, and this time she takes us for a beautiful late walk in Padua. An Italian gem.

I thought I would take you to some totally different traces – a hidden gem named Monastero de Ribas de Sil, in Spain. Sil is the river down in the ravine below. And these traces of the past were very different from anything I had visited before.

The monastery was built in the 12th century by Dominican monks, and finally left to be reclaimed by nature in the beginning of the 19th century.

Significant traces are the beautiful stone walls surrounding the monastery. So many hours’ work for the monks – but so beautifully constructed.

The buildings themselves are totally hidden in the greenery. Not until we were some 15 meters from the old archway, we found them. Standing with a magnificent view, high up on a rock overlooking the river Sil – but of this we could see nothing. Everything was buried in lush green – according to Nature’s design.

The open space in front of the remaining arcade. It must once have been a very beautiful place – and still is.

The impressive church is still complete – and the only light shining through the single window – and open door.

This monastery was almost impossible to find – no map worked. I guess that is just the way it should be. It was a place for hermits. A place of peace and silence. I found it there.

Wordless Wednesday

30 maj, 2018 / Leya / 6 kommentarer

Thursday’s Special: Saturation

24 maj, 201824 maj, 2018 / Leya / 12 kommentarer

For Paula this Thursday – Saturation.

I chose two natural ones from the garden. No enhancing – they are saturated by Nature!

Thursday Thoughts – Fog Fantasy

24 maj, 201824 maj, 2018 / Leya / 12 kommentarer

Is it not the strangest thing what fog can do to how you perceive nature and mood?

The header photo and the photo above were taken only a minute or two between them.

Walking along lake Vättern – The same minutes passing between these two.

And when the sun comes shining through – I turn around to meet – this view!

Nature is a master of moods.

Hiking Joy – Kivik and Stenshuvud

18 maj, 201818 maj, 2018 / Leya / 8 kommentarer

That day, in the beginning of May, hiking at Kivik and Stenshuvud – Looking at the pictures, I just have to bring you there again!

Stenshuvud is a hill ( 97 m (318 ft) high and faces the Baltic Sea) in the southeastern corner of Sweden, close to the little village of Kivik. Since 1986, it is one of the National parks of Sweden, covering an area of about 3.9 km² (1.5 sq mi).

Most of the area is covered with broadleaf forest, especially European hornbeam.

The sun was lavishing its hot yellow waves this day (27 C is hot in Sweden…), and Totti and I decided to hike close to the sea – hoping for a breeze.

Unfortunately there was nothing of the kind…

The park also contains heaths, meadows and swamps, and because of the mild climate and varied habitats, many different animal and plant species can be encountered here. If you are lucky, you can meet rare animals as the hazel doormouse, the Eurasian golden oriole or the European tree frog. But, except for the usual birds and some other dogs, we only met this little green friend.

Since the surrounding landscape is relatively flat, the hill can be seen from a great distance and has traditionally been used as a landmark for seafarers.