Tag: the natural world

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natural world

Intermission 25h

A mix of sunrises and sunsets

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natural world

Intermission 25g

Autumn proved to be a busy time for sunsets and cloudscapes

Plenty of pinks and greys on show
Rich oranges but then again the pale pinky grey cloudscapes are also interesting
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natural world

Intermission 25e

Well it’s another warmer than usual and sunnier summer which means less time wargaming.

Pond-life proves interesting – we inherited the garden newts and an almost buried pond. The one goldfish in it was actually brown so we did not find it till we tidied the pond up.

He is long departed for fish heaven. In the meantime the newts rule which also means the frogs get a raw deal as newts voraciously eat frog spawn apparently.

That’s pond life – eat or be eaten.

Egg laying newt

So newts should have laid their eggs by June yet this one was spotted cuddling some floating leaves – looking like egg laying. Who knows. They are fun to watch.

Not so much fun is tidying up the outdoor track although watching the train go by is!

Garden railway

Not much rain or cooler weather in the forecast so wargaming might go a bit thin for a while ……

Categories
natural world

Intermission 25d

The other night a cloudy sunset caught my eye simply because I had not seen one in a while.

Spring has been delightfully dry, sunny with low humidity. It has meant the watering can has been doing overtime at a point when seedlings and young growth can die in days if not watered.

Nature has offered some interest.

A bracket fungus
Once upon a time cows were commonly seen on York strays – they are still there if you know where to look. Walmgate stray looking towards the iconic York Cemetery complete with those angel statues – think doctor who.
The strays typically are wet – the taller grasses indicate water courses still damp despite the drought

It was a great season for tulips – no wind or rain to batter them down

I wonder what summer will bring?
Categories
life natural world

Intermission 25b

Different day!
Very messy sunrise
Not an abstract
Not many frosts this winter although it’s been consistently cold.
Whispery clouds
Flaming sunrises have been more common
I think this was a snow cloud
We had a decent snow fall – now a rare event
We have also had some very big clear skies when the moon is visible even when it’s quite small
Nothing like the red orange grey blue contrast in this sunset
Categories
natural world Scenery

Intermission 25a

Experimenting in 2D

Acrylics on a gesso canvas plus a you tube guide
Categories
natural world wargaming

Happy 2025

Goodbye 2024

Categories
life natural world

Intermission 24d

Autumn is well on with some excellent skies

Plenty of Sunsets
Just a passing frost – a very mild autumn so far breaking records as usual
Ten a penny apparently
Moonlight
Autumn leaves
Another fantastic sunset
Categories
life natural world

Intermission 24c

Well summer is well and truly over.

Insects have been in short supply – I have even missed the wasps
I have seen the moon in interesting settings
Cloud formations invariably with sunsets have been numerous
Summer put in the odd showing-Flamborough head, Yorkshire
The sea washed chalk rock provides an excellent contrast for natures beach detritus
York races had a Japanese star
A palmatum newt – not as fancy as the great crested but common – the only downside is they eat frog spawn so you get one or the other in a pond – the answer of course is to have two ponds…..one for each!
Skipwith common near Selby is the last of open common land undrained left in northern England- it was once very common. The habitat was self managed by wandering flocks of wild cattle. Today they use cattle and sheep.
Some late summer or early autumn colour to finish up.
Categories
life natural world

Intermission 24b

At least there has been the odd cloudscape worth a look
A waning crescent moon – last phase of the old moon before a new one arrives. The sliver of light is always attractive
Attractive caterpillar but for my one box shrub it’s terminal as these guys strip and destroy the shrub. Your only fix is hand removal of every caterpillar you see. looks like something less vulnerable will be found instead.
Stripped in a week by cheeky caterpillars