tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91136421617190271632024-02-08T00:55:51.534+00:00Wild-Wirral Nature NotesEncounters, observations, moments captured around the Wirral Peninsula.
Also incorporating Rarehare Nature Arts.RareHarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974071851426997658noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113642161719027163.post-35717711653508808842019-10-29T22:04:00.000+00:002019-10-29T22:04:00.288+00:00Wild about Wirral now on Twitterhttps://mobile.twitter.com/mary_rarehare
This is my last post on the blog as I am now posting a nature and artist diary on the Twitter address above.
Thank you to all my faithful readers and I hope you will continue to follow me.
This change is brought about mainly because blogging does not reach as many readers as Tweeting and it allows me to engage with others of similiar RareHarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974071851426997658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113642161719027163.post-41536584296564685642019-09-10T15:00:00.001+01:002019-09-17T14:35:52.592+01:00SadAs a S.A.D. summer sufferer this past season has been pretty difficult and that is not accounting for the current appalling politics. I do not know how wildlife cope. Supposedly like humans some love it some hate it. Too hot, too humid, too noisy, too crowded and too long. Now autumn has set in with wind, rain and fresh air I am a much happier person and less grumpy to get on RareHarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974071851426997658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113642161719027163.post-14943909849106077182019-08-12T15:31:00.002+01:002019-08-12T21:22:18.430+01:00Silent is the airReflecting whilst basking in the unusual silence of a balmy Sunday evening it became obvious that the expected absence of bird song was not so prevalent as I presumed at this time of the year. In the distance a song thrush was making a fair copy of a goldfinch warble and A languid jackdaw hicacked across the gardens to join pair of woodpigeons ...'RareHarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974071851426997658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113642161719027163.post-68990169649893033522019-06-19T12:06:00.000+01:002019-06-20T11:53:05.714+01:00AudiomothFor anyone watching 'Springwatch' over the past few weeks, you will have heard them discussing remote monitoring devices. Last year they concentrated on remote mammal cameras, this year they have concentrated on audio. As usual the BBC have focused on the expensive top end of the range, but for many years as regular readers will have noticed I have been RareHarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974071851426997658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113642161719027163.post-51922318216970165792019-05-22T16:16:00.003+01:002019-05-25T18:38:07.578+01:00Long long springYet another storm! although it is a while ago now. But we used to call these events ' just a bad spell of weather' now we have name them all. We knew this one was coming because all the gulls moved inland into nearby fields the day before. The gulls are much more reliable than any weather forcast. Despite the torrential rain and heavy winds the RareHarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974071851426997658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113642161719027163.post-62727362632974787422019-04-13T14:37:00.000+01:002019-04-21T14:37:52.204+01:00It is enoughIt is enough that birds are................
There is so much to rapture over this spring and time to stop and stare. After the tiny two week rushed spring we had last year, after the great freeze, it is the more enjoyable for being missed. . On the bus here today we passed several vibrant crimson and pink cherry trees which had blossomed full in the space of 3 days..... RareHarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974071851426997658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113642161719027163.post-71489329677446121332019-03-18T12:06:00.002+00:002019-03-18T21:26:47.082+00:00The Blackbird knowsWell! So much for storm Freya, nothing happened on the Wirral. Bit of wind and some horizontal hail and rain for 10mins, just enough to flatten the poor daffodils and crocus. In my book just ordinary February/ March weather.
All things yellow and white are ablaze. Daffodils taking over from rain beaten crocus and hedgerows illuminated with blackthorn and early flowing crab apple RareHarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974071851426997658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113642161719027163.post-17806979228522410632019-02-14T21:34:00.001+00:002019-02-14T21:51:33.491+00:00This time last yearThis exact time last year we were begining to suffer the worst of the 'Beast from the East' from Russia. How fickle is the UK weather and how short our memories. Spring is definitely in the air now going by the buzz in nature all around.
Much excitable dancing and prancing, bickering and fighting, riffling and canoodling is in evidence everywhere. RareHarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974071851426997658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113642161719027163.post-60373179064719863832019-01-24T18:52:00.005+00:002019-06-09T18:49:13.437+01:00Purity and HopeThere is very little evidence of purity, hope, honesty or truth around in this countries politics and governance at the moment, so thank goodness we can rely on finding it elsewhere to maintain our sanity.
Even ...... in the mostly miserable month of January, on a cloudless day there is much to celebrate. Clear crystal skies and radiant moonscapes at night. Rich blue RareHarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974071851426997658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113642161719027163.post-15869567824254326102018-12-24T14:16:00.002+00:002018-12-28T14:34:07.493+00:00Blue HourAs a norm I get quite depressed around Christmas because with no public transport it is impossible to go anywhere. Christmas Eve is usually bang smack in the middle of a named storm and getting to church is mostly a major logistical effort.... BUT not this year. Christmas Eve was the nicest day we had had in several weeks. Dawned in fog and mist that slowly lifted toRareHarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974071851426997658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113642161719027163.post-75919731193313433102018-12-15T18:54:00.002+00:002018-12-28T22:36:31.949+00:00Ink laden daysSoft smudges of orange, rubbed across deep dark ink ridden clouds, white gulls floating in against a background of full arched rainbows..........then lots and lots of rain.
Now the Autumnal colours have left the woodlands and fields and we are left with a wonderful stark exhibition of symmetry and sculpture of bare trees dotted with last seasons nests. RareHarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974071851426997658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113642161719027163.post-55014105114746108102018-11-29T22:09:00.000+00:002018-11-29T22:09:28.605+00:00Eco mark makingAfter last years experiments with cyanotype, eco printing and nature art, this next year we are taking the process to the next level to produce finished pieces from all this experimentation.
It is time to try out new fresh leaves and mordants in the eco steaming mix. Starting so late in the year last time there were only brown brittle fallen leaves which RareHarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974071851426997658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113642161719027163.post-38942512280374761072018-11-12T14:50:00.002+00:002018-11-12T14:50:37.838+00:00Eco PrintingAs all know it takes longer to make than it does to talk about it. Thinking also takes up much more time than talking, but the longer it all takes the better the final outcome. This process is not for the impatient.
Whilst working on a project in a local wood over the past year I have been totally absorbed by the overwhelming experience of natures RareHarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974071851426997658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113642161719027163.post-86199054637671208732018-10-30T19:42:00.004+00:002018-10-30T19:42:33.474+00:00Scent and colour of Autumn A period of soft after glow of autumn seeds, fruits, nuts and transforming leaves. The scent of damp earth, wet trees and ......leaves. If only it could be bottled, but then I suppose it would not be so special.
Inspite of the long drought this years crop of seeds, nuts and berries does not seem to be overly diminished. Maybe in size but RareHarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974071851426997658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113642161719027163.post-84622354168937448552018-10-14T15:09:00.004+01:002018-10-14T15:09:52.176+01:00Woodland VisitMembers of the North West Book Artists visited the woodland project on Saturday October 6th despite all the dire warnings of travel and weather which in the event did not materialise. (That is not say public transport would have been so easy.) Because everyone was somewhere else ie. watching the Giants we few had the woodland to ourselves for the whole radiant morning.
RareHarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974071851426997658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113642161719027163.post-48835907287016852792018-09-29T16:18:00.003+01:002018-09-29T19:53:51.578+01:00Strong winds and beech nutsAs the sun slowly sets into an autumnal glow the red berries and leaves seem to acquire a resonance beyond their own organic colour.
Parkgate Marsh - in glowing heat haze
The
virginia creeper drapped over the garage is starting to turn into
russet red and lime green-yellow. My all time favourite part of the year
when migrating birds start to arrive on the gathering winds, the tides
get RareHarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974071851426997658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113642161719027163.post-62374790487612567252018-08-26T12:52:00.001+01:002018-09-01T19:41:14.177+01:00The season has turnedAs an ardent cloud watcher it has been very disappointing reading since last May with the relentless sunshine, heat and cloudless skies. It is wonderful to get up in the mornings to smell the fresh air and dew laden foliage and wonder what the day is going to bring again.
The season has definitely turned with the advent of chilly mornings in the bathroom.
Rain on the way
From the top RareHarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974071851426997658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113642161719027163.post-66579437262252757482018-07-30T19:18:00.001+01:002018-08-11T15:33:46.995+01:00Goldfinches, Wood pigeons and REAL RAINAlthough the sky is very silent for the most part, Goldfinches and Wood Pigeons seem to ignore the norm and carry on calling and singing throughout, even this horrible hot summer. The robin in the silence with extra concentration on our part, can be heard practising his song for the Autumn in whispers from the depths of the hydrangea at the bottom of the garden.
OH&RareHarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974071851426997658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113642161719027163.post-80161419076387548362018-07-15T13:33:00.000+01:002018-07-18T11:59:06.757+01:00Summer silence again
Sat in the garden trying to cool off, the sky was silent and I started to lament the leaving of the birds. Then I was woken by a sudden cacophony of sound as the goldfinches, house martins and swifts all erupted together with the blackbird - going through his repertoire of car alarms, across the sky in waves of sound. Then as quick as it arrived they were gone.&RareHarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974071851426997658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113642161719027163.post-22425961507736674082018-06-27T11:43:00.003+01:002018-06-27T11:43:25.786+01:00Small things matterHumanity perpetually lives under the grand delusion that they are above and seperate from the rest of creation. We all came from the dust of stars so instead of constant journeying, yearning and seeking it is time we made friends with acceptance and find ourselves where we are and engage with who we share this planet with.
Chris Packham has started a national debate about how we RareHarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974071851426997658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113642161719027163.post-87869873126584128562018-06-11T19:34:00.002+01:002018-06-12T17:46:03.405+01:00JackdawsWe waited so so long for the spring to arrive and after a blast of blossom it has quickly flurried into summer. What a short energetic month May has been. The trees are starting to cast their seeds and relax down into conserving energy towards the autumn. Desperately wishing for rain for the garden, the cold early spring is a faint if not RareHarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974071851426997658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113642161719027163.post-58742885345398355442018-05-20T21:40:00.002+01:002018-05-28T20:16:50.186+01:00Where are the Swifts?Sat in a gentle shower of dark pink flower petals floating from the old crab apple in the garden I write the beginning of this blog.
In the same week it has been hotter than South America one day and bitterly cold another. When planning to go out for the day what to wear is a nightmare. The only guarantee is that it will be wrong, so how nature plans what to do and when is a mystery.
OnRareHarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974071851426997658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113642161719027163.post-50622670923232653592018-04-22T19:55:00.001+01:002018-04-25T22:04:14.432+01:00Herons and EgretsHerons used to be an unusual bird sighting, but this has changed possibly over the last few years due to the presence of RSPB Burton Point and heronry on the adjacent farmland. A couple of weeks ago you could count the egrets and herons in double figures along the front in Parkgate as large digger was expanding the drainage ditches and stacking huge mounds of silt and mud along the RareHarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974071851426997658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113642161719027163.post-82396742132379436532018-04-01T13:13:00.002+01:002018-04-01T13:13:40.217+01:00 Dunnock SpringWithout dwelling too much on the wonderful positioning of the Wirral Peninsula...again...what was the worst day of the winter for the rest of the country was one of the brightest and joyous days for us. Moderate snow overnight but the bitter wind dropped and we were bathed in warm sunshine by mid- morning
A little bit of sunshine and warmth and nature has erupted into spring catching upRareHarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974071851426997658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9113642161719027163.post-4526884105576319322018-03-09T11:29:00.002+00:002018-03-09T11:30:17.638+00:00Is Spring here yet ?After the combination of horrible weather and even worse relentless viral infections, initially there was not a lot of positive stuff to reflect on in this blog, but nature has a way of surprising the most pessimistic of us.
Nuthatch
On entering the Woodland after a week going stir-crazy indoors, I expected to find everything hunkered down and silent. Not a bit RareHarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974071851426997658noreply@blogger.com