Category: Flora and Fauna of Ireland

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An artists life…

All around me textures, colours and forms vibrate in the spring sunlight. Everything sings with vibrant life. If you don’t count the stinky dead crab! There were many empty crab shells and so many tiny shells, empty ray and dog fish egg cases. Life on the shores is rich for those that see beyond the riches in money.

I hope you enjoy my photography, that the images evoke some pleasant memories, feelings or sense of being and belonging. We are all nature. Continue reading An artists life…

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At summers end

Children are back to school, the sun is shining and that gorgeous autumnal light has returned. The berries are ripe for picking, butterflies are everywhere, the bees are busy and the land is showing signs of slowing down for the winter sleep. It is harvest time, foraging time and jam making time. I am holding … Continue reading At summers end

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Natures Jewels.

I absolutely love this time of year when natures jewels are ripe and ready for picking. Elderberries, blackberries and rowan mountain ash all grow nearby where I live so I am super lucky to have these to forage. I don’t think I have missed more than a handful of years since being a small child to pick blackberries. It’s almost a ritual. I think perhaps bordering on addictive. Who can resist those juicy black berries. One for me and one for the bucket! Risking brambles and nettles to reach the prize. Continue reading Natures Jewels.

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Back to Dingle

Last week we managed to take a few days away and headed for the ancient lands in the Dingle peninsula. The Kingdom of Kerry is steeped in traditions and culture, history and folklore with a landscape to match. We booked four nights at the Rainbow Hostel, a lovely rural setting surrounded by fields of yellow flag irises and bounding lambs. Continue reading Back to Dingle

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Can you make tea with that?

More and more people are looking to what grows wild for an alternative source of teas. The need for a calmer lifestyle away from caffeine enriched drinks and medications is calling people back to the hedgerows. Foraging is re-emerging. As a young child, I remember my grandfather teaching me about the edibles in the woods, fields and lanes. He used to make his own wines and was happy to pass on his knowledge. I am now doing the same for my young grandson. At three and a half, he already knows many names of plants and trees and is aware of the spring growth appearing when we are out and about. This is so important to pass on. This knowledge passed down through generations. I have a Korean friend who always asks when I talk about a plant… Can you make tea with that? Often the answer is yes! Let’s take a look at some of those plants, flowers, trees and leaves. Continue reading Can you make tea with that?