WHAT I'VE FOUND IN A YEAR

Every year is odd in some way. This year had its discomforts - for a while I was without a camera. But having a new one has been a delight!

Disregarding that blip, Loose and Leafy has documented a year in the hedgerows. Old scenes have been re-visited. New interests developed. The only constant is that I respond to what I see rather than have a detailed plan ahead - so the posts flit about randomly, depending on what I notice of what has flowered, died or reappeared. Much depends on weather! Much depends on page space (and time!) so all sorts of interesting things get missed out. 


(I’ve seen them though. Rarely a few days go by without a camera walk.)

June 5th 2010

In May and June, the focus was on colour

Viper's Bugloss (Echium vulagere) and Wild Fennel (Foeniculum vulagare)
June 30th 2010

and patterns.

July 1st 2010

In July I stood up for Bindweed.

(When I'm not championing Bindweed, I'm sticking up for Ground Elder - this is the blog where villains are allowed to celebrate!)

Cowslip - Primula veris -
August 15th 2010

In August, seeds roused my interest.

September 22nd 2010

In September, I began to pay attention to the wild plants of towns and cities.

Sandsfoot Castle, Dorset.
Built in the 1530s.
Now falling into the sea.
October 12th 2010

In October, I was drawn to the seashore - looking up as well as down!

Beadlet Anemone - Actinia equina - November 5th 2010

In November, I began to notice creatures - not cuddly ones but interesting none the less. This blob which looks like a shiny bit of plastic is a Beadlet Anemone. When the sea comes in, its top opens and tentacles emerge to grab food from the water. These creatures are carnivores and though small (rising up to about 5cm when fully expanded) are violent. They'll tolerate members of their own group but are likely to attack Beadlet anemone intruders and sting them! (Looking at this shiny red thingy, I find it hard to grasp that it is animate, let alone able to distinguish one being from another.) They are common but I have only ever seen them under water before I came across this one. And even though they are common, scientists don't yet properly understand how they reproduce. (Collins Pocket Guide to the Seashore talks about both male and females disgorging their young. Sounds disgusting, doesn't it?) I find this very reassuring. It's nice to know that, although I am more ignorant than others, ignorance isn't completely avoidable!

Each year, I’ve looked for fungi. Now I’ve become more aware of  lichen too - and here is some on frosted rocks.

December 9th 2010

Frost on rocks on this part of the south coast isn’t common but, hopefully, through the year, I have shown the uncommon in the common - and a few things new too. I have certainly found plants, fungi, seaweeds, lichens and creatures I haven't thought about before, even if they are ordinary in the experience of 'proper' naturalists and however many there are in the wild. 


Thank you for accompanying me on this journey.

The spring will come and we'll be back to pretty flowers, wonderful colours  and unfurling leaves but, just at present, the hedgerows are full of berries and birds hunting for food. It's all pretty stark, the light is dull and it's getting close to Christmas.

Have a wonderful celebration!

Here’s to the year (s!) to come!

Hurray!
Meanwhile . . . .

P.S. This is an advert for my other blog  - Message in a Milk Bottle. 

Message in a Milk Bottle takes up where Pictures Just Pictures left off. (A picture a day without words). There are lots of plants and twigs and leaves and stones shown but Message in a Milk bottle offers a place to the urban, the abstract and the domestic as well. Why not follow me there too? I’d be glad to read your comments.