Blue Moon October
7 April 2020 - in a clear sky of ultra-marine appeared a pink moon. Named after Phlox - a Native American flower that blooms this time of year. It is the first full moon of spring.
Many cultures name each of the moons and in 2020 we will have a Blue Moon … October has two moons, the second of which is called a Blue Moon … the thirteenth of the year. This doesn’t happen often but when it does it is really special.
Pink Moon.
So soft are the first unfurled ferns … the leaves are rounded, green and still look like little babies. These ferns, probably MALE FERN are in the lower part of the woods … this morning’s walk with Jess took me down the river running though the woods. Its dark and damp down here … and quiet.
DOWN IN THE DARK AND THE DAMP
BRIGHT GREEN FLOURISHES.
MALE FERN UNFURLING
One night a few nights ago, there was a sound like no other, a scream as if an animal was being torn apart. As I looked out of the bedroom window I saw a slim, young vixen looking up at me… as if to say “what!” I BELIEVE IN BANSHEES!
Sometimes the banshee assumes the form of some sweet singing virgin of the family who died young, and has been given the mission by the invisible powers to become the harbinger of coming doom to her mortal kindred. Or she may be seen at night as a shrouded woman, crouched beneath the trees, lamenting with veiled face, or flying past in the moonlight, crying bitterly. The cry of this spirit is mournful beyond all other sounds on earth, and betokens certain death to some member of the family whenever it is heard in the silence of the night.
Read more here.
WHEN SWIFTS ARRIVE, SCREAMING
SCREAMING SWIFTS HAVE ARRIVED. 30 April … two flew over then seat at the top of the woods. First of the year (for me!). Originally nesting on cliffs and holes in trees they now mainly nest in buildings such as churches and older parts of cities. Who can fail to look up at these screaming marvels.
And a special sighting for me! A Brimstone Butterfly flying high in the leaves of a Bird Cherry in Wylam. First I have ever seen.
ROE DEER LEAPING
Capreolus Capreolus - simply means ROEBUCK. A beautifully elegant female ran past me this morning. So close I could feel the vibrations of her feet on the forest floor. She seemed to move in slow motion, defying gravity. Almost as if she was not held by the ground as the rest of us are.
LITTLE STARRY PEOPLE
So many starlings in Seaham today - 8 September 2020. 25 degrees and hot. Starlings capered the pavements and patches of grass everywhere, like little spotty people. Gregarious, noisy and busy. This one sat on a wall and “allowed me” to stare at him. I could fool myself into believing he was watching me! I had to make him a star of one of my cards - LITTLE STARRY PEOPLE.
LITTLE STARRY PEOPLE - A5 CARD WITH ENVELOPE.
