Moths and butterflies

Had the moth trap out a couple of nights now and last nigth just one moth but a nice one - a Hebrew Character - lovely clear markings. I contrast it against the comma butterfly that I saw last week at Paxton Pits and they show that beauty comes in many different forms. ised to like butterflies and be a little wary of moths- just thought of them as things to be avoided in the linen cupboard by the use of the cloe smelling moth balls or worse. But last year having had a moth trap as a birthday present I came to see that they are lovely creatures, some having a lot of colour, no less than the butterfly, and some just this different king of gentle beauty.

And as the year rolls onwards so many of butterflies and so many moths to see and get to know.

What a wonderful world

 Depression is a horrible illness and recovery is a long slow process with its ups and downs along the way. Having had a really happy few days last week the black mist was there when I woke up on Sunday and it really saddened me - but am hanging on in as the overall direction is towards wellness. So yesterday we went for a walk around a new reserve for us and the area around it -- Sandy Smith. It was a joy to see the first bluebells in the woodland, shy quiet flowers but heralds of spring. A little earlier than some years due to the balmy weather

 Getting out has made a big contribution to my recovery and earlier this month we went on a fantastic Field Studies Council weekend at Flatford Mill. Sorting out my photos and they reminded me of the day we spent at RSPB Minsere Reserve - where we saw such a lot of different birds and animals. Amongst the birds was my first view of the shy Bittern- just in front of Bittern Hide!

On the journey there we had stopped at a sandy heathland and we were lucky enought to see a small flock of crossbills, including this one in the pine trees and a slo worm on the ground.

Minsmere was wondeful- not just birds but red deer, fallow deer, common lizard,  muntjac and a nicely rounded water vole. Learned a lot about habitats and birds - highlights included the barn owl in flight at dusk and superb views of marsh harriers.

This last week the good weather and the will to be healed of depression have taken me out a lot and close to home its been good to see so many ladybirds, Brimstone butterflies, hear the tawny owl and see bats in the twilight on Flitwick Moor, red kites, buzzards and everywhere the lovely song of the robin, blackbirds and thrush. What a wonderful creation we have to enjoy. How much it contributes to our wellness.

Harbingers of spring

My first visit to DENR for many months. Its a place I love but I have had to work through depression and somehow I thought that going there would tint the place with the pervasive sadness that I felt and the pain that caused it. So it was wonderful today when the sun shone at lunchtime to feel that at last I could go to this special place. And I was not disappointed and the visit made me feel that these harbingers of spring are signs that the season is indeed turning and sunnier, brighter days are around the corner. And it dawned on me that by this time next month I should be able to gaze at a damselfly or two...............wow!

Spring ....at last

It has been a long dark winter of ill health and unwellness. But spring has arrived and so we gathered our energy and strolled in the sunshine at Regents Park- a time to see the heronry and get close with these fantastic birds. It was strange to hear parakeets calling and see the flashes of green as they flew by. It was a real treat as was the stroll along the canal to Camden Lock and onwards to St Pancras. And toay I found some words that sound just right

I marvel at the way that hope keeps breaking thorugh; It is the Life in me that keeps on reenacting Resurrection. So be it.