It was quite unexpected that I came upon a Spindle tree (Euonymus europaeus), I first noticed the red berries now mostly decayed in the mud, and recognised them as being spindle berries. When fresh they are so very beautiful! So I looked out for the tree and found it growing beside a much thicker trunk of a tree unknown to me. Part of it had fallen down and is probably dead. The crown of the tree though was still full of the berries. Do some of the birds feed on them? I do not know. The first I ever heard of the Spindle tree was from a Dublin lady called Hilary. She used to read out her essays on nature on Sunday morning in a radio program called Sunday Miscellany. Although I was fascinated this was before the internet and Google search. So I never really bothered to look up something about what was said to be a very beautiful and also a native tree to Ireland.
The berry which contains the seeds
Seeds can be seen here
The winter appearance of the tree or bush you could say is rather confusing and I will return in spring and summer to check out more about the growth and its leaves, flowers. It is something to really look forward to, I believe that it already flowers in May. In autumn its leaves apparently turn a flaming red, now that should be worth looking out for. The Spindle tree is mainly found in hedgerows and that’s where I found it too although it wasn’t a hedge but rather the remains of an old stone wall. I also read that its wood is very hard and it was used to manufacture spindles for wool-spinning, I guess hence its name.
Finding this to me new and interesting tree was the highlight of my week, we might be in lockdown but there are still always new wonders to discover.
I just want to add a little note here. I am not being very active at the moment both in posting and in reading posts from others. I am very busy but also my inspiration seems to have taken a downturn. I know this won’t last so I am just going with it. It is good to have a period of reflection as well as a period of posting a lot. I’ll soon be reading all your blogs again dear friends and followers and I wish you all the very best. Thank you for reading my words.
First I would like to wish all my friends and followers a beautiful new year ~ Let 2021 be a year filled with hope, many blessings, happiness and good health. That is my wish for everyone of you.My walk took me around our little town on the ring road, this road is relatively new and is flanked with interesting shrubs. It also gives lovely views towards the town and behind it some the hills that surround us. At some stage the road crosses the river Ilen. The view is always spectacular, the river is tidal, today the tide was high which saw the sun sparkling in the water.
Red twig Dogwood in leaf
Red twig Dogwood during winter
One of the lovely shrubs along this road is the Red twig Dogwood, it is vibrant and adds bright colour to the otherwise bare branches all around. I have added this shrub to my garden plan for this coming planting season, I read that one of the varieties needs lots of moisture and it may well help to solve some of our waterlogged problems. It would also add great interest.
Type of fir
Budding soon
Beautiful blue sky
Frost still where shadow lives
We have been enjoying sunshine and very cold weather which is a bit unusual for West Cork area but is so lovely and healthy too. The sky was so blue the day I took these photos, a delight to the eye.
Fir tree
Willow catkins
Crystals shimmering in the rock
And then to my surprise I found some willow catkins, nature sure is slowly waking up. On the way back to the car I noticed the sun was lighting up the crystals in the stones of the wall I passed, these quartz crystals are seen regularly in our stone walls and I’m always delighted to see them. They are a little camera shy though, I can never seem to take a good photo of them, nothing that does them justice as they are so beautiful.
I am hoping that you all stay healthy and happy during these frequent lockdowns. Sending you all much love. Let 2021 be a year full of hope and happiness.
Looking for signs of life whether in the past or in the now. This is what currently interests me in my photography. I’ve always been shy of taking photos of people, I have felt that it would be too intrusive, and because of my interest in nature I mostly take photos of plants, landscape or insects. This I enjoy. But recently it has come to my attention that I am always searching for signs of human habitation or activity, signs that the land has been worked, of structures having been used by humans; bridges, stone walls, gate posts, ruins, ancient pathways, old churches or houses or other structures. All these are interesting and give pleasure, not only from trying to find out more about them locally, from the internet or from books, but also from the sheer beauty of them.
My attention has been drawn by my friends and followers that you like to see this variety too in my blogs, and I find this very helpful and realise that by blogging and interaction with my other blogger friends I get to know myself better, and I define what I really want to record. I am grateful to everyone.
And so yes also on this walk last Saturday I did come across a broken old iron gate, rusty and fallen down, it has had its use in the past of that I am sure. And then I saw an iron gate post which is quite an unusual find around this area and I wonder how long it has been supporting this newish galvanised gate. Was this always a gatepost? Or did it start its life as something different on a farm in the area?
It is always lovely to see acres of crops, stretches of land that change colour according to the seasons and to what is grown on them, also fields or meadows sometimes with cattle. There is something so soothing and reassuring about a pastural landscape, I think that it goes very deep in a person, to see the land being used and crops being grown, it gives a deep feeling of safety and that all is still well with our earth despite all the environmental problems.
And then I spotted a red ribbon in this tree and it reminded me of an old tradition, not only in Ireland as I have seen it in South India too. People tie ribbons usually on hawthorn trees as a gift for spirits or fairies and as a symbol of a prayer or a wish granted, usually someone with an illness or unhappiness. This is done mainly during May around the feast of Bealtaine. I was quite surprised to spot this ribbon and it does add to the interest.
But here are also some of the wild flowers along my path, as always such a delight.
Field Scabious
flower of bramble
Sheep’s bit ?
Ferns in the distance
Silverweed
Meadowsweet
Rose-Bay willow herb
Hogweed
Some type of sorrel
It has been another glorious day today after a real thunderstorm yesterday with a heavy rain shower, but it is this rain that makes the countryside in Ireland so green, lush and beautiful. We very seldom get thunder here usually only one clap and done, but this one took half an hour with brilliant skies and fantastic lightning and afterwards when the sky cleared and the rain stopped all was still, and then a blackbird started to sing!
Just now we returned from catching some fresh air and admiring the beauty of Loch Hyne some 10 minutes drive from here. There were many people, young and old swimming and more people chatting over cups of tea. The sun had come out and it was now actually warm. A most beautiful evening and a great ambience.
Spurrey
I noticed two new flowering plants that I want to identify. Ok I think that both these two photos are Sea Spurreys. The one on the right might be Greater Sea spurrey (Spergularia media) but I have a suspicion that it is actually Rock Spurrey but in order to confirm that I have to go back and check the underside of the sepals. This little flower has 10 stamens and the sepals are shorter than the petals. The photo on the left, I will also go and double check this little plant, it is a Spurrey but I am not sure which one, probably the same as the one on the right but not in as good a condition. So some homework for me to do.
Common Cat’s-ear
English Stonecrop
More lichens
Lichens growing on the stone wall.
We both feel refreshed and ready to head into a peaceful night.
On a fine day like today I took a long walk along the river Ilen. After it has meandered through the town of Skibbereen it flows towards Old Court and this is where my hike took me. The Ilen river ‘An Aighlinnis’ in Gaelic, is beautiful. It flows from the Mullaghmesha mountain in the area between Drimoleague and Dunmanway. Skibbereen is the largest settlement along its way to the sea at Baltimore. Here, just outside the town and downstream a lot of young and sportive folks enjoy canoeing, and upstream it is salmon and trout fishing that attracts people to its waters. I have always personally liked the Ilen river because often when I pass it the surface would be like a mirror, reflecting the trees and houses, and that is so lovely. I think that this river makes Skibbereen and surrounding area what it is. A very scenic place.
On my walk today I crossed the ‘New’ Bridge, in my eye a beautiful bridge and I am glad to say that I found out some information about the design of this bridge. I love old bridges.
Here at low tide it is easy to see the abutments just above the water which act as support for the arches and strengthen the whole structure against the power of the flowing water.
‘New’ bridge has got beautiful arches, this bridge has been constructed with segmental arches. This arch type is made from a segment of a circle, allowing for a flatter arch, which in turn allowed for flatter carriageways, and to reduce the hump-back profile. This hump-back profile was the result of an earlier design of a masonry bridge where the arch was constructed in a semi-circular form. These bridges are still very common in County Cork. The segmental style, however, became a common feature of 19th century bridges and ‘New’ Bridge in Skibbereen is a fine example of such a style. The bridge is constructed of limestone and sandstone which is the rock most commonly found in the area.
Thistle
Figwort
Bridge over the river Ilen
Along this walk again I found a multitude of wild plants and flowers.So I started towards Church Cross on the N71, this is a very popular walk with keep fit enthusiasts. Looking back towards the town I was surprised to see some horses grazing in a field bordering the river.
Common mouse-ear
Wild blackberries in the making
Hedge woundwort
I think that this is ground elder but am not totally sure. Cork County Council constructed a nice walk way along the river which is a great addition to the town.My walk took me over ‘New’ Bridge where plenty of wild flowers grown on its walls. Common mouse-ear and oxeye daisies among others.
Alder leaves
Alder tree
Sycamore tree
The Black Alder tree is native to Ireland, it is a type of Birch tree, it is apparently an erosion reducer to the soils along our river banks, it grows fast and is therefore a good tree to plant along newly developed river paths. In the http://www.gardenplansireland.com forum it mentions that an established Alder tree offers refuge for up to 90 species of insects, my that’s something wonderful.
These sort of signs are helpful, they tell what native plants grow around the area and what type of wildlife is found in and around the river.
An unidentified plant, is it cudweed?
The river changes its colours
This walk took me one hour and was most pleasant and, at the moment, at least it was very quiet. The sun was blazing and the wind played in my hair and was very refreshing. What a treat after all the gardening work which was rather intense during the past week. I decided that I will keep Sundays for walking, although around here it is better not to stick to a certain day as you never know what the weather will bring.
In the black circle is the route of my walk, when I see it on the map it is a tiny walk in the larger area of Skibbereen area. While both Ian and I returned to this spot by the river today we noticed several fish jumping up and down. The river Ilen is known to be one of the cleanest rivers in Ireland. We are so lucky.
As from a few days ago, and after a lockdown period of over seven weeks we over seventies are allowed out for a daily walk. Well I did not have to be told twice and though it was raining for the last two days I did go out. But today the sun shone and it was mild again and beautiful. I badly needed to connect with nature big time, and so I choose a walk which was the last walk my grandchildren and I did together in early February. It is a country road close to our town, taking you right out into farmland, a sight to behold, beautiful.
Right along there is a wealth of spring flowers to be found. The speedwell’s especially were plentiful. The bluebells are only starting, but the violets have been open for a while. I also found stitchwort, buttercups, red clover, lesser celandine, and much more fresh and bright flowers. In the distance I heard a corn-crake calling and from the hedges and trees there was much bird song.The sun playing through the leaves of the trees threw dappled shadows on to the road, something that I love to see whether it is in a painting or in reality.
An original Irish gate pillar in natural stone. And the path winds along the curves of the landscape.This is farm land, lovely to behold and behind those hills in the distance is the sea, the Atlantic Ocean!
I was pleasantly surprised by so many speedwell flowers, a gentle blue in tiny flowers. and the plantain is flowering already, always good to know where one can source this as it is good to treat insect bites. I enjoyed my walk very much and feel nourished by my connection with nature. I hope that wherever you live you are now allowed out too and can find pleasure and joy in your walks.
On this fine Saturday afternoon, two of my grandchildren and I decided to go for a walk on a land that leads towards the townland of Milland and to Russagh Mill Hostel. It was a fine distance and totally in pastural land. Ruben had come with his binoculars and his notebook, he wanted to draw some pictures of what he would see and find. Alice wanted to take photos of anything that would please her eyes; leaves, trees, plants and ourselves. I merely wanted the walk in nature and to see plenty of green countryside. (and take phots of course). We were not disappointed and between climbing some roadside trees and rocks and walk at leisure we had a wonderful time. I did not climb the trees though.
Laneway running towards the townland of Milland, a part of SkibbereenNice to see the land being tilled, I wonder what crops will be grown
Ruben picking little flowers for his collection
Skeleton of an ivy leaf
Sycamore branch?
This is where the laneway stops or becomes private and then this Boreen connects with Russagh Mill Hostel.
Wild watercress growing in a brook
And this is perhaps its flower
Celandine flower and lovely leavesSome of the trees along this lane are very beautiful, even if only in silhouette
Ruben is drawing what he sees in nature, a leaf, a flower
And here is what Ruben drew in his copy book.
Alice has picked dandelion leaves for the canaries
The grass was so very green and the landscape flowing
Ferns
A type of hypericum
I was delighted when Ruben got out his copybook and pencil and started to draw what he saw, though I had to watch him as he plonked himself into the middle of the laneway at first and there might be the odd car passing. He was totally oblivious to all that, just wanted to do his thing. He is such a delightful boy.
Our walk took us over two hours and was well worth it. Towards the end Alice picked some dandelion leaves which she wanted to give to our two new canary birds. We came home and made a big pot of spaghetti Bolognese which was soon emptied by my now hungry grandkids.
What better to do on a January Saturday 🙂 we loved every minute.
While waiting for a lift with my daughter, her husband and my grandchildren to travel today I spent this time taking some photos of knots in the Chestnut and Pine trees lining the little park on the outskirts of our town. I also wanted to take some photos of the lichens growing on their trunks, and so I did that too. It was a glorious and still Sunday morning.
The now leafless chestnut tree
This Chestnut tree is marked by several interesting looking knots, created when the tree was younger by some damage or disease. Interesting and pleasing to the eye.Some high Pine trees grow side to side with the Chestnut trees. Lichens and some mosses cover their bark.
I’m always fascinated by the bark of trees, they show the most intricate and lovely patterns and subtle colours. Above are some examples of these; A knot in the Pine tree trunk. Lichens and moss invading a trunk. A close-up of a bark design.
Just as my family arrived I noticed many beech nuts covering an area near the gate. A colourful leaf of a Cherry Blossom tree twirled toward the lowers shrubs. This small park is noted for its variety of trees, I often like to take my grandchildren there especially in early autumn to look for conkers, it is nice all around.
A few mornings ago I awoke real early and immediately decided to go for a walk. The sun was still only just reaching over the hills to the East. A walk around the block, and a little bit further seemed very inviting. We live almost on top of a hill, the walk would take me along the top of this hill and then down toward the town centre and up again taking the path called the ‘rock’ which overlooks the centre of the town and the river Ilen in a most fantastic way. Some hundred years ago people used to live there in small cabins. The remains of these pre-famine cabins have been excavated. In some places the rock face had actually been used as a wall, even some niches were cut into the rock wall. See my earlier blog about this dig at: https://gaiainaction.blog/2015/07/09/an-interesting-dig-in-skibbereen This morning’s walk did not take me quite as far as the site of the rock cabins. However, the lane leading up to them is a wonderful bit of woodland, birds were singing beautifully, it was an awesome moment to listen to them there.
Vicia cracca – tufted vetch
Succisa pratensis – Devil’s bit scabious
Fly on yarrow flowers
Hoverfly on blackberry flowers
Senecio jacobaea – common ragwort
These are only some of the wild flowers that I find growing along the roadside, and in the Boreen along this walk. We are experiencing rather warm and dry weather in the past week or two and it shows in the abundance of flowers. And though insects in general are on the decline, I’ve seen several butterflies recently, among them a few painted ladies and one meadow brown.
And so the walk goes on, along the road leading down into the town. I have always admired this scenery.
Malva sylvestris – common mallow
Calystegia sepium – hedge bindweed
Lythrum salicaria – purple-loosestrife
Cochleria officinalis – common scurvy grass
Unidentified speedwell
Ladybird on thistle
Anthyllis vulneraria – kidney vetch
Another view looking down at the town of Skibbereen
Path to the rock, very quiet apart from birdsong, and very beautiful, tranquil and peaceful.
Ferns grow here under the trees
Amazing rocks, shale or slate
So my walk carried on along all the many beautiful and interesting wild plants and flowers. The speedwell which I could not identify I have seen growing in a little brook along the road for many years. I think that it might be either creeping speedwell or thyme-leaved speedwell. Its leaves are glossy and they grow differently along the stem from most speedwells. A mystery to me! The common scurvy grass, also newly identified, grows in the same brook.
Erica cinerea – bell heather
And more rocks
Scrophularia nodose – common figwort
Trifolium pratense – red clover
C.nigra – Black knapweed
The abundance of wild plants and flowers is amazing and wonderful, while making the walks interesting and ever changing. Always something new to find and explore or look up after coming home. I am not sure about the bird that I hear singing but if you would tell me that it was a nightingale, then I would believe you, it was quite magical. The other bird was a chiffchaff.
Have you had an interesting walk recently? I know that many of my followers and the friends that I follow are into walking and enjoying it very much. May I wish you happy times.
