Taexalia

wild.life

Buzzard

Did you know every Buzzard has a unique pattern under it's ... read more

Yesterday we found more signs of Spring in a secluded corner by an old wall. The yellow flowers of Lesser Celandine were dotted against a backdrop of dark green, heart-shaped leaves that resemble ivy - amongst the browns and russets of dead undergrowth and rotting leaves.

Lesser Celandine seems to have little folkore attached to it, which is disappointing given it is sometimes called the "Spring ... read more

Birds

Winter Aconite Spittle of Cerberus

Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis) emerges soon after the Snowdrop. Although not a true aconite, it is closely related to them, being also a member of the Buttercup family. As with true aconites, all parts of the plant are poisonous, however ingestion would mean enduring a bitter taste sensation. Aconites are sometimes referred to as Wolfsbane ~ plants that were said to repel werewolves and also said to cure lycanthropy, the cause of the shapeshifting condition. It is said that these ... read more

Is It Spring?

I'm hearing this question all over the place as people wish the moments away looking for something better. I look for signs of new life emerging - the snowdrops and winter aconite shine their carpets of hope amongst the decaying humus of the woodland floor, the owls and foxes make eerie night noise as they mark territory and call for mates, buds on trees seem to swell a little more and my flowering redcurrant is uncurling leaves... The wheel is turning, but the Carlin/Cailleach has not ... read more

Plants

A collection of photos of trees, plants and flowers that have caught my ... read more

Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)

Some of my photographs of foxes collected into one ... read more

Bird Haiku

Perched Kestrel watches Frost holds the earth in stasis Five Curlew fly ... read more

Messages About Marking Territory

The birds that catch my eye just now are the birds marking territory. Is this a message, or a mirror, or an affirmation? The Buzzard is not hunting when it glides against the clouds. The Buzzard hunts from the vantage point of a fence post, a telegraph pole or a tree. No, when the Buzzards are tilting on the wind, soaring and circling, they are marking airspace and conversing over who can fly where. They may even be describing their home and territory to a potential mate. But they do not ... read more

Pathworking

I sit at the desk typing and I am whipped out of my seat by the sight of a Buzzard. It hurtles so close that I think it is going to hit the window and then it switches direction and zig zags out of the garden, a Crow in hot pursuit. I am open mouthed at this drama and laugh as my hand reaches for the camera as if I have any hope of rewinding the moment. I take it as my cue to get out into the landscape with the Greyhound and see if I can bring something new home. We choose our favourite ... read more

Mistle Thrush and Dominance

Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus) - Amber Status

Yesterday I ramped up the bird feeding opportunities in my garden. This "cold snap", which has brought us our first real winter for as long as I can remember, has brought birds in about who would not normally come so close. At first I thought it was luck, being on the very edge of town, but I have since seen some of these species (Redwing and Fieldfare) near the High Street. The search for food is intense ... read more