Lichens

I recently took this photograph when sweeping up the leaves on my back yard. I hadn’t previously taken much notice of the lichens on my acer tree, but on that day the sun’s reflection made them stand out like a miniature coral reef. Perhaps it’s the more dominant autumn leaves that cause us to overlook…

11 Things to do outside in November

November brings a change in seasons, a further turning of the Earth’s axis. From blue skies to golden sunlight and stretched shadows. From lush foliage to berry studded hedgerows and forest fungi.  As the nights draw in and the air is crisp, it can feel comforting to curl up at home. But November, and Winter,…

Our 14,000-mile visitor

Each year in May I spend a significant amount of time looking up at the sky. Not only do the warming temperatures trigger the formation of impressive cumulonimbus clouds (the huge fluffy ones), but we’re treated to the return of Swifts to our skies.  These birds undertake one of the world’s longest migrations of any…