#Irish wildlife trust

[samyelyel]

[reasonsforhope]

"Irish conservationists report that the magnificent osprey has successfully bred in the wilds of the Emerald Isle for the first time in almost 250 years.

Worldwide, ospreys are doing great—listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN who add they are increasing in population. However their massive brown and white wings have been absent from Irish skies for two centuries after being hunted to extinction.

The last recorded osprey to nest in Ireland was found in 1779, writes the Ireland-based conservation group Golden Eagle Trust on Facebook.

Visiting ospreys sometimes stop on the island to rest, but almost since the signing of the US Declaration of Independence, no pair has ever deemed it a safe environment to raise young.

A nesting pair (ospreys mate for life) was discovered by experienced birdwatcher Giles Knight, the Environmental Farming Scheme Advisor with Ulster Wildlife, a conservation non-profit.

“Along with my son Eoin, I have watched the adults return to the same site since 2021, so you can imagine my excitement the moment that I saw three chicks and two adults this year,” said Knight in a statement. “It was a rub-your-eyes, once-in-a-lifetime moment; an absolute highlight of my 30-year wildlife career—like finding long-lost treasure.”

“With at least two of the chicks fledging this season, this is a huge conservation success story and indicates a healthy wetland ecosystem with plenty of suitable habitat and fish to bring this apex predator back to our skies and plunging into the Fermanagh Lakelands. Truly the return of a living countryside!” ...

The old Gaelic name for osprey was “Iascaire Coirneach”, meaning “Tonsured Fisherman”, possibly related to how its black eye band and white crown give it the appearance of the semi-bald tonsure typical of medieval Christian monks, the Golden Eagle Trust wrote on Facebook in a celebratory post.

“Now these birds are back in Ireland and breeding successfully, it is critical that they are left in peace so their numbers can continue to grow by returning year on year to breed,” Knight added in the statement. “We believe and hope that this could be the start of a raptor dynasty.”"

-via Good News Network, August 27, 2023

[delopsia]

Del my dear, might I send you some Edelweiss, Forget Me Nots and some Indian Paintbrush? They're very pretty mountain flowers with alot of meaning behind them and they all smell beautiful. Plus the Indian Paintbrush is super soft and fuzzy (lol). Might I also send the "Message In A Bottle" for our dear Miles Miller?

I feel like Miles would be very, very close with not just his mom but his dad, Otis (think of a cross between Bob Hinson from A League Of Their Own and Jack Callaghan from While You Were Sleeping). Otis was a Navy Corpsman during WWII and saw some really rough shit and when Miles got back from his army service, you, Otis and his mother, Kathy, were really the only people who could talk him through things.

*BONUS!*

Otis and Miles are definitely animal whisperers. They've hand raised pretty much anything and everything from a house plant to a 900lb angus bull, but by far their favorites were the baby bunnies that they bottle fed one spring and very quickly you had yourselves some hutch bunnies who shed like crazy, but gave you some of the best wool for yarn making.

Music was a huge thing for Miles growing up so him and Otis often sing and play music in a Celtic band that frequents the bar in the town you guys had moved to. It's also Miles's way to not only keep the Irish in his family alive, but a way to honor Otis's mom and dad who came to the country with nothing and wound up with everything.

Del my dearest, a very happy bday to you, I hope the flowers and the vase brighten your day a little bit. 🥰🥰🥰🥰

Omg, Edelweiss are so cute 🥺 they look like felt flowers pretending to be real ones, lmao. Join my Birthday Bouquet Event! 💐

I have never seen A League Of Their Own or While You Were Sleeping, so I...have no idea who these characters are, but I trust your judgment 💃 omg I LOVE the idea of Miles being an animal whisperer though.

He attracts just about anything, but some very unique animals have a habit of finding their way to him. An owl flies into his bedroom window and spends three days in his care until the wildlife rehab can pick it up. A camping trip ended in Miles waking up to find a coyote pup snuggled up with him, and more than once, he has been caught leaving out feed for the deer that venture into the yard at night.

But he and bunnies 🥹 sometimes he’ll go missing from the house; his car is in the driveway, but his shoes are missing from their usual place. You can't find him anywhere; he's not in the house, nor is he in the shed or the garage. Until you walk into the backyard and find him lying in the grass with the bunnies, dead asleep. His cheeks are already red with the beginnings of a sunburn, but those bunnies just love having him as their own personal bed 🐇 You hate to wake him up, but he'll be a strawberry for the next week if you don't.

[redraven3093]

Catching Up wit Phil's QSMP VOD

1st JULY lets GOOOO

OKAY let's GET STARTED

no gegg??-was there anything different?-ohhh solo modification?

safety first-ohh a smart chat-

HIKE???-MINING IN CAVES??-BULLS??-ughhhh the code bastards are up to something -that's not how it works PHIL-WAKE UP CHAYANNE

YAEH HEALTH CARE-opp the Hotel is really fuqed

hah Phil you have way too many stalkers on this island -YEAHHH FUQTHE BINARYBASTARD UP PHILL

oh no the French-OH NO MUMZA-ah okay well soon mumza

yeah, ANTZA-that’s cheating Phill-???-what is he talkin about??-somthin' about world edit??

Whooo congrats Chat -omg Phil nooo-welp a little arson is okay sometimes-ahh shit its not little-yeah sure nature-admins problem now

ohh adventure yesyes-WAKE UP CHAYANNE WAKE UP-wat?-OH FUQ-loud to loud

¬lol TALLULAH STAY ASLEEP SWEETIE-YEAH CHAT DAYY

Holly chat that is a great Headcanon-the code bastards eggs lol

ughh Trauma beach-???-quackity in boxing event?

LUZU there?-HE LOST!-aww sad-no happy things for Phil I guess-

Opp what happened?-ah the server lagged-?-cactus lag?

Aww chat yu are loved-Chat pls this is his son- busy old man

Bad cactus-ohhh go down- THERE are NO SUCH THINGS AS TO MANY VENUS PHIL

Ohh deep-cave creeper? Oh he chonks-trash cave

Persimmon! I never has persimmons

Dapper the handyman!- ohhh Life guards POG-omg chat u okay?-wat is going on with the mobs-oh go where is the god apple?-omg the seagull-oh that fuker-omg they eat it-fuk the seagull

Ohh Chayanne bday??-aww- yeah show them some message

Does bull have different milk??-MONKEYS!!-infernal evil Pumpkin??-uhhh?okay?

ACASIAAA-caht don’t farm the monkey-well maybe for Tallulah-bet if Tallulah ask he will says yes-awww

Phil’s parenting 101- I do not get the reference-wat??-huh??? Wat?? How?

Ohh full diamond armour guy- dadza pls-CURSE WATER-oooh the BLIMP-uppies-not many good loot-well done-

CAPPYBARAS-wait we can't trust them-yeah from the wedding-phill you can't demand the wildlife to do work for you

Resct earn -boat time-ROAR TRIP YEAHHH-okay these guys are fun

Pretty baome-you use to be cool Capibaras shame on you-cappy on a bike-lol- ohhh good loot-oh god it head-dodododdod

YEAH FUK HIM UP-good god they are powerful-lol snot-yeah bring them more often-nooo not the FLOATING TREE

Lol-get in LOSERS- is the place dangerous?-omg there op

Omg DAD you cant just Irish left your way out of the fight- that is rude

Hi Fit

Classic Chayanne-cappy here?-NOOOO TALLULAH STAY ASLEEP

YAY for BS missions-YAY CHAYANNE SHRINE

Binary bastar the creep­-glad yu having fun chayanne- yeah Tallulah the poor dear is terrified-yeah cook your way out of trauma kiddo

RAMON-yeah touch grass

YEAHH FTC-fried the cat fish-omg- they are magic cappibaras ramon-Chayanne get down

Safety first-MONEY-omg 100 Yippe-

Are they all gone?-opp there they are-FTC

Thetictacs- new acent unlocked!- yeah cooked the Catfish!

Omg cappis nooo

Phill youcant exploit the wild life like that

The big mountain wall-yupyup tottaly legit-okay ramon is just flexing

Just because ramon just because

Ramon, he is an Anarchist

Tall mountain time-ughhh-FLOWER DUNGON-YEAHHH

FLYING CAPPI

Where are we going?-ah to the mountain-OHH a Toucan! :D-a bamboo creeper?

Wait????-is that Rigby??waitt-OH NOO RIGHBY- RAMOON NOOO-You have its TALE PHILL NOOOO

RIP

PHIL NOOOO- you don’t give ur child a dead corpse of its pet

Welp adventure must go on

The MOUNTAIN-Cappis that is cheating-YEAH TO THE TOP-dance party

Welp to the caves-so good at the video game-gator roll- how do u know??-

YEAH CHILD LABOUR-opp water cave-AHH GLOWY BOY-ohhh big cave

INFECTED DIAMOND ORE??- omg-KIDS- an absolute UNIT

CUBE SHEEP-ohh statues-RAMON DONT DIG DOWNN- RAMON NO-

YEAH, BED ROCK-YEAH MISSION DONE-PARTY-

oh hey the cat live

ugh the bulls- welcome to the FAVELAAS- this one bull against 6- bull hunting time- omg the bulls are riding the guardians-OMG THE BULLS

RAMON NO-PHILNOOO- the oldest shit house

Ohh the day care!!-awwww it looks so cute-oh fit was a teacher??-omg NO

SPINNNN-yu spin me right round baby-BELLS

BAGHERA ANTOINE HELLO

Ahh its Dapper and BBH-opp chayanne gone? Oh he’s in the basket

Yeah the attack yesterday are fuqed-Wait they taking picture of the parents too?

Yeah the Fed lied – a reminder huh?- OHH COLORFUL TOUCAN-

Yeah they just hang- funny noises- okk lets go out- lol- Antoine wat???

Scary Story!- HAM BURGULUAR- Trauma Dump

RIGBY 2.0 LETS GO

Scary retaile story

OMG- Tax Fraud???? PHIL?-lol Drugs- yeah stay an Egg Chayanne- the government IOU

Chayanne stop using others sign

Ah yess glad I still haven’t got any tax

Ah karen-oMG??-u fuqed him?- fukin Bastard- good lord Phil

A Karen Diner??-YEAH CHAYANNE KITCHEN!-FREE FOOD LETS GOO

WHOO STAY LIVING

BYEE CHAYANNE- oh wait uhhh -LOL

PHIL ONCE AGAIN AVOIDS ALL THE RP

WHOO BYE PHILLLL

[ammg-old2]

The west coast of Ireland is famed for its wave-beaten shores and bare, stony mountains, where only a few stunted trees grow in hollows and valleys, bent by harsh storms blowing in from the North Atlantic.

The coastline, with its cold, clean winds and ever-changing skies, gives an impression of unspoiled, primal nature. In 2014, the Irish government designated a 1,550-mile tourist route along the coast, and called it “The Wild Atlantic Way.”

Yet, where generations of painters, poets and visitors have rhapsodized about the sublimity of nature and the scenic Irish countryside, ecologists see a man-made desert of grass, heather and ferns, cleared of most native species by close-grazing sheep that often pull grasses out by the roots.

As climate change threatens even more ecological disruption, a growing Irish “rewilding” movement is calling for the restoration of the native forests that once covered these lands, both as natural machines to capture atmospheric carbon, and to preserve and extend what remains of Ireland’s dwindling biodiversity.

Rewilding, the practice of bringing ravaged landscapes back to their original states, is well established in Britain, where numerous projects are underway. For Ireland, this would mean the re-creation of temperate forests of oak, birch, hazel and yew that once covered 80 percent of the land but now — after centuries of timber extraction, overgrazing and intensive farming — have been reduced to only 1 percent.

For some, rewilding began with a personal choice.

In 2009, Eoghan Daltún, a sculpture restorer, sold his house in Dublin to buy 33 acres of gnarled oaks and rugged hillside on the Beara Peninsula in County Cork, in the far southwest. Where local farmers had once raised a few cattle and sheep, he erected a fence to keep out feral goats and sika deer, two nonnative, invasive species that nibble undergrowth and saplings down to the roots, and kill older trees by gnawing away their bark.

One day in late spring, with the wind driving rain off the foaming ocean, he proudly showed off the results. Wood sorrel, dog violet and celandine were already in flower beneath the twisted branches of mature oak and birch, thickly draped in mosses, ferns and epiphytic plants. New shoots of oak, hawthorn and ash pushed up through the grass and dead ferns.

“The sheep and deer would eat those little saplings before they even started on the grass, so when the old trees eventually died, there’d be no new ones to replace them,” said Mr. Daltún, who wrote about his experiment in “An Irish Atlantic Rainforest,” a memoir. “But the native forest is returning here, all by itself. I don’t have to plant anything.”

Ireland has committed to increasing the total proportion of forested areas to 18 percent by 2050, from 11 percent currently. Yet this would still be well below the European Union average of 38 percent, and most of it would consist of commercial spruce and pine plantations that make up more than 90 percent of Ireland’s current woodlands.

Grown to be harvested within 30 to 40 years, these nonnative conifers are treated with chemicals that pollute groundwater and rivers. Ecologists say little can grow on a forest floor carpeted with dead needles and a desert for insects and native wildlife. And much of the carbon they store is released again when they are harvested.

It would be better for biodiversity and carbon sequestration to pay farmers and landowners to grow native trees and leave them unharvested, according to Padraic Fogarty, the campaign officer for the Irish Wildlife Trust. He cited the example of Costa Rica, which has reversed the Central American trend of deforestation by paying farmers to preserve and extend the rainforest.

Ray Ó Foghlú of Hometree, another rewilding organization, believes farmers could be paid not to plow or graze strips land that border remaining pockets of native woodland — often only a few trees and bushes — that cling to inaccessible hillsides or in the awkward corners of fields. Biologically rich, these microforests would, if left to themselves, quickly recolonize neighboring areas, Mr. Ó Foghlú believes. He himself recently bought nine acres of “scrubland” — home to sessile oaks (Ireland’s national tree), hazels, wood sorrel, blue bells and anemones.

“I pinch myself still that I own it,” he said. “It has a river running through it, and I can’t believe it’s mine, for the price of a second hand car these days.”

Irish rewilding enthusiasts look enviously at the highlands of Scotland, ecologically very similar to the west of Ireland, but where the concentration of ownership in the hands of a few hundred aristocrats and magnates allows rewilding at much greater scale.

Ecologically minded figures like the Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen, Scotland’s largest private landowner, with 220,000 acres, can clear deer and livestock from tens of thousands of acres, allowing native growth to quickly regenerate. Eradicated native species, notably the European beaver, have also been reintroduced to Scotland to restore ecological balance.

In Ireland, where the average farm size is 83 acres, such large-scale rewilding would seem to be unfeasible. The big exception, so far, has been in the unlikely setting of County Meath, in the flat, highly fertile and intensively farmed east of the island, and in the unlikely person of Randal Plunkett, a New York-born filmmaker, vegan and death metal enthusiast.

Since Mr. Plunkett — better known, to some, as the 21st Baron of Dunsany — inherited his 1,700 acre ancestral estate in 2011, he has cleared it of livestock and left one-third to revert to unmanaged forest, complete with a wild herd of native red deer.

“Biodiversity is expanding dramatically,” said Mr. Plunkett, 30, standing in thick woodlands humming with bees and other busy insects. “At least one species has returned every year since we started. Pine martens. Red kites. Corncrakes. Peregrine falcons. Kestrels. Stoats. Woodpeckers. Otter. We think there’s salmon in the river again, for the first time in my life.”

One of his forebears, Sir Horace Plunkett, pioneered modern, industrial farming in Ireland early last century, encouraging small farmers to set up cooperatives and to mechanize their operations and use fertilizers and chemicals. Today, Randal Plunkett says, not everyone in this rich farming area is happy about his decision to abandon intensive agriculture, or to ban all hunting on the estate.

“It’s safe to say I’m not popular with the hunting crowd,” he said. “I’ve had death threats.”

Rewilding has its opponents. Ireland’s influential agribusiness lobbies are economically and culturally suspicious of suggestions that farmland should be allowed to revert to what they traditionally derided as “scrub.” People will always need food, they point out. In more marginal areas in the uplands and west, farmers argue recent regulations have reduced the numbers of sheep they can graze per acre, and that removing them altogether would harm existing biodiversity.

“If you leave an area ungrazed and unmanaged, you leave an area that’s at risk of being burned,” said Vincent Doddy, the president of the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association. “I think cattle and sheep are the most cost effective way of managing the land.”

Even on poor soil and small farms, where livestock production is sustainable only through government grants and second jobs, the title of farmer is still prized beyond its cash value.

“You’d have some of them who’d say, ‘Sheep are a part of my family tradition, and my identity, and it’s what I want to do,’” said Mr. Daltún, who himself keeps some cattle on his 33 acres. “But others would see the benefit of being paid for looking after the land, and letting it regenerate, and to have time to focus more on their other work or business.”

[arjaandsimoni]

Family matters

A plane slowly taxied to the terminal at Jaipur International Airport. Soon, four large men in business suits disembarked. One had red hair and green eyes, two others had dark hair and green eyes, and one had neither but it was clear they all shared some form of common ancestry. They were all large men, but Europeans tended to be pretty huge anyways and their passports checked out.

“So… what is the reason for your visit to India?” asked the attendant at the customs desk.

The leader of the group replied, “Hunting trip. I believe you’ll see our permits are in order.”

The attendant checked, then nodded, opened a drawer, and took out four copies of a pre-printed guide to wildlife in the country. “Please observe the list of endangered species, you will face legal consequences if you harm any of the animals listed, even by accident.”

The man nodded, “You don’t need to worry, me and my brothers are very good hunters.”

“Accidents can still happen sir, but I trust you will be careful. Enjoy your stay, and good hunting.” smiled the attendant, buzzing them through the turnstile. “Next please!”

The four men gathered their bags, then walked out of the airport. The bags were so heavy that the workers had trouble unloading them, but they lifted them with ease. They got them out to the car that had been rented and left in the designated spot for them, then opened the trunk, before each bag was put in they unzipped them and checked. Mostly clothing and other essentials, but then they unzipped the hidden zipper and checked in there as well.

A sword, grenades, a gun with several different clips of ammunition, and more.

Franklin had given them strict orders. Find Stephanie Fullmoon, kill her, and get out of the country. They would likely not be able to leave by plane after what they had planned, but they were Fullmoon. It could take months, but they could go overland if needed.

Jacob Fullmoon nodded to his men, they nodded back. They would do what needed to be done, the Patriarch’s decision was law.

They piled into the car and one of them started the engine, Jacob riding shotgun as he took out his phone and dialed a number. “Sir, we’ve landed in India. Beginning mission now. As per protocol if we do not check in by midnight local time assume our mission failed and ourselves terminated.” he nodded, putting his phone away. It was standard procedure in the field after all.

The car pulled out of the parking lot, and four men drove off towards the city of Jaipur proper… to kill their cousin.

Some hours later…

Stephanie and Arja were sitting at a fountain out in the city, enjoying the cool night air. It was late enough that the foot traffic was finally starting to die down somewhat, but the city was still packed to bursting with people, moreso than any American city. Stephanie only had Cincinnati to really go by, but even now after a few weeks in India it made her head spin.

“Okay… lemme try again… umm… hailo mera pair ek pyaaree paee hai?” she attempted.

Arja snorted her soda, putting her hand over her mouth.

“W-what?!” she asked.

“You just said ‘hello my foot is a lovely pie!’” she giggled hysterically.

Stephanie blushed, looking away, “At least I said something reasonably coherent that time…” she muttered.

Arja just grinned, “Its cute!” she chuckled, “Besides, Hindi isn’t an easy language for outsiders to learn, I’ve heard people do a lot worse…”

She blinked, then glanced at her, “How many foreign kids have you tricked into saying curse words in Hindi when you were somewhere with your dad?” she asked.

Arja just grinned, “… dunno, lost count.”

The two of them looked up at the sky and Stephanie sighed, “This is nice though…”

Arja nodded, glancing at her. “Yeah, it is…” she replied.

Stephanie looked back, “Arja… um… I…” she started… turning to her, and then saw Arja’s expression just before she dove ontop of Stephanie.

The Irish girl squealed, “H-hey! Isn’t this illegal here?” she giggled, then her eyes went huge as a gunshot rang out and the wall of a building suddenly chipped from a bullet that, a moment before, would have gone right through her head. “… oh shit.” she whispered.

“Stephanie Fullmoon.” came a gruff voice, “Patriarch Franklin has declared you banished from the Clan and marked for death. Surrender now and we’ll make it quick as we can.”

Stephanie looked at Arja, then at the wall, then back at Arja, “How…” she whispered.

“I smelled gunpowder.” she replied, then glanced around. “I can smell that same sword oil that last one had in at least four directions…” she added, then glanced to her right, “Alleyway that way is clear… ready?”

Stephanie gave a nod.

Arja held her hand tightly, then with a sudden burst of speed the two girls bolted and ran for the alleyway.

“They’re rabbiting! Alec! Thomas! Containment!” barked the voice of Jacob Fullmoon as four men rushed after them. They were in non-descript white shirts and bluejeans and all had the same crew-cut hairstyle. These weren’t bunglers like Terrance, Franklin was serious now!

Stephanie felt her heart pound, THIS was why her mother was willing to go so far, the reality of it never really hit her until now… She’d seen how Fullmoons fought. They’d have relatives join militaries in various countries just to steal their techniques and tactics for use by the clan, and these four were clearly trained killers.

It hit her all at once, it suddenly wasn't just an abstract idea anymore or a potential threat... her grandfather wanted her dead.

The two girls raced through the city as fast as they could go, Arja gritting her teeth, “We need to get to the jungle…” she nodded, “I can get us somewhere safe, but its outside the city!”

Stephanie was already getting tired. She was a Fullmoon Witch sure, but otherwise she was as athletic as any other girl her age. “I… okay… just…” she gasped, they’d been sprinting for a full half mile now. Franklin’s assassins were keeping in close pursuit, but Arja knew Jaipur as well as Stephy knew Covington and was giving them a real run for their money.

Arja gave her a worried look, then nodded, “Hang on!” she said, and suddenly the hand holding Stephanie’s became a lot hairier. Arja shifted into her vanara form and pulled the exhausted witch onto her back, guiding her hands to wrap around her middle as she fell forward onto all fours, then leapt to a wall and pulled herself up it with lightning speed, leaping from rooftop to rooftop like a wild animal. As she ran she let out loud echoing cries and shrieks, sounding less human and more like a giant monkey as she went.

“Shapeshifter has transformed! She’s going for the rooftops!” came a voice from below… closer than she’d hoped. Arja gritted her teeth and poured on the speed! Her ancestry didn’t give her the same kind of insane strength that the men of Clan Fullmoon had, but monkeys were fast and excellent climbers! She just had to keep ahead of them… and then she saw the treeline and grinned.

“Almost there, hang on Stephanie…” she growled, and with a leap she dove from the last building and grabbed a branch, then swung to another and another! Arja swung from tree limb to tree limb, continuing to screech and hoot as she did!

“The jungle! Swords out lads, cut a path through!” shouted another Fullmoon assassin, and her grin widened. She could go through the trees, they couldn’t! In the jungle she’d be even faster.

She glanced back, seeing the steel slashing in the moonlight, then scowled, not as fast as she’d like though…

Twenty minutes later

Arja swung out of the last bit of the overgrowth, landing on hard weathered stones. Stephanie had gotten her breath back by now and let go of her shoulders, the girl looking around. “Where…” she asked.

Arja shook her head, “I’ll explain later! Follow me!” she nodded, heading deeper into what appeared to be a massive old building.

Stephanie nodded and quickly ran after her. Vines grew over most of it and there were creeper plants up most of the walls, but she could make out some kind of faded but still colorful mosaics under them in the moonlight.

Finally Arja skidded to a halt and turned, then growled as she heard four safeties click off one after the other. “End of the road girls…” came the voice of Jacob Fullmoon as he strode into view, his gun leveled at them.

Stephanie shook her head, “WHY?! Why does grandpa not want us to use any magic?! We’re hunters! We can’t all just use swords and guns!” she shouted.

“Doesn’t matter.” shrugged Jacob, “We’re just doing as our leader orders girl.”

Arja stood up and growled at them, “You guys are some special family huh? Willing to kill each other over something this idiotic. I know my family would never even think of that! We stand by each other no matter what!” she nodded, then smirked, “Lemme introduce you…”

A split second later their guns exploded as the bullet clips suddenly superheated! Their innate Fullmoon resilience saved them from losing their fingers, but they had lost their ranged weaponry! The four men looked up and around them in shock, and in the darkness golden fur shined…

All along the walls of the temple, above the arches, blocking the way out, were other golden-furred monkey people. Some dressed in traditional Indian dress, others in stuff as plain as jeans and a tee shirt.

Arja grinned at them, “Thought I was just making noise while you guys were chasing me? Jaipur is OUR home, and so are the jungles around it! I was calling MY family! You get ONE chance, go back to your ‘Patriarch’ and tell him that Stephanie Fullmoon is under the protection of Arja of the Vanara! If I even smell another of your warriors in our town again...” she growled, then several flames erupted around the Irishmen’s feet. “… they’re toast.”

Stephanie stared around her, just as surprised as they were. The Vanara had surrounded the temple without a sound, moving through the jungle as if it were a stroll down the street.

Jacob’s hand was an inch from his sword… but most of the monkeys who’d joined in the jungle were holding weapons themselves, and all of them were pointed at him and his allies. “You’d risk war against Clan Fullmoon for one girl?” he growled.

“You’d risk war against the Vanara for one girl? What the hell does he want her dead for?” she barked back.

Jacob snarled, “I don’t know and I don’t care. I have my orders.”

Stephanie watched her enraptured. Arja didn’t even flinch, she planned to call her allies as they fled, she planned it all out on the fly, and she’d caught four of her grandfather’s trained hunters with their pants down in doing so. Then she became aware that the moonlight was being blotted out.

She looked up and saw a massive ape-like creature standing behind them. She didn’t even hear him arrive.

“Your devotion to your leader is admirable… but blindly following his commands is folly. A warrior best serves their leader by knowing when to disobey so that he can serve him again tomorrow.” the huge creature spoke, and his voice had an odd stereo effect to it… and then the clouds drifted away from the moon and Stephanie’s eyes widened.

He had two faces, one on either side of his head and four arms, two folded over a massive barrel chest, two more resting on his hips. Like Arja his fur was a shining gold but streaked with red as well. “I am Akul, seventieth King of the Vanara and this one’s grandfather. You and your people are trespassing in our home and threatening my granddaughter and her friend. Leave, now, or we will remove you.” he warned, giving Jacob and his men a rather steely gaze, the words alternating between each of his mouths.

Jacob hesitated, then stood and lowered his hands. “… aye, we’re beaten this time. I will relay your message to Patriarch Franklin, but as for his reply…” he frowned, “… well, I hope protecting her is worth it to you.” he turned and waved for his men to follow, “We’re leaving boys, abort mission. We’re not starting a bloody war without our leader’s direct order to do so.”

Stephanie looked around, then slowly sank to the temple floor, shaking.

Arja watched them go, glaring until they were out into the jungle, then in an eyeblink she was next to the redheaded girl, “ARE YOU OKAY!?” she gasped, “I’m sorry, but I didn’t know if they could hear us and I couldn’t warn you without tipping them off that I was calling the rest of my tribe for help!” she chattered anxiously, her tail swishing behind her.

Akul chuckled at her, “So, this is the one you told us about little Arja…” he grinned, “My granddaughter came to me the night after you arrived and told me about your plight young lady… and how you helped her and my son-in-law drive back one of the naga’s warriors.”

Stephanie blushed up at him, “I… I mean I just… it was right there, I couldn’t just ignore it…” she muttered.

Akul nodded, “Many a braver warrior than you would have hesitated young lady, and the naga chose her ambush well. Our pact with divine Agni grants us mastery of flame, but that makes water our weakness. She waited until they were in a location where she would have the advantage. If not for your intervention the battle may well have ended in the naga’s favor.” he nodded, “You helped to protect my granddaughter in her time of need, it would be unworthy of the line of Hanuman to ignore you in yours.”

Arja looked up at him, “Yeah, but dad probably won’t like this…” she she sighed, “I mean, he can’t just ignore us getting attacked. What if we’re at home and it happens again?”

Stephanie frowned, the wheels turning in her head… “Dammit… yeah…” she muttered, “I mean… I can’t just stay here, I want to but… if I don’t go back then I’ll just be putting everyone here in danger… but… if I go back now…” she thought hard, “Dammit I wish Nelen was here… what would my brother do…” she muttered.

Then she remembered something he’d told her once, when she’d asked where he’d learned how to do all that more esoteric magic stuff. About a place that could do… well… anything!

“I… might have an idea…” she said, staring out into the Indian jungle. “A way that I could stay here, but also go home…” she nodded slowly.

Arja raised her eyebrow, “… uh… how?”

Stephanie grinned, “Um… don’t suppose your dad has business dealings in London?” she tried.

Akul and Arja shared a confused look, then Arja said, “Whats in London?” she asked.

“Well… its more London-adjacent really…” she replied, “… have you ever heard of a place called the Nightside?” she asked.

Next Story

Previous Story

[briosca-sa-speir]

Comhghairdeas leis an Irish Wildlife Trust agus an Sunday Independent as póstaer dátheangach faoi Éin Ghairdín na hÉireann a fhoilsiú Dé Domhnaigh seo caite ♡

[somebogwitch]

In the Irish Wildlife Trust's magazine! Me! Join this great org to get your own copy!

[red-dead-do-over246]

if your requests are still open, may i request some fluff sean/ fem!reader?

something cute like, some confession type? them doing shenanigans and out of the thrill sean confesses? 🥺❤️

Sure! Love me that Irish man💖

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Let’s Ride till the Sun Goes Down

A horse race leads to a confession from Sean.

It was a beautiful and peaceful day. There were hardly any clouds in the sky after the rainfall from last night, which caused everything to have a bit of a glow about it. The warmth also brought the singing of the birds and wildlife out to graze. So, it was a very peaceful day indeed.

“Watch it shitheads!” 

Unless you were a farmer.

In which case two riders on horseback just trampled through your fields.

“Keep up, Y/N!” An Irish voice came from the first rider astride a beautiful American Standardbred with a buckskin coat. You, on your own horse, beautiful as well, tried to keep up.

“Slow down!” You called with a playful grin.

“Not a chance! This is a race, ya silly girl!” Sean called back before looking forward to guide Ennis over a fence. You weren’t far behind on H/N, nearly knocking a ranch hand over, who cussed at you in response.

So, how did you guys end up racing through some poor man’s property?

The two of you (much against Arthur’s will) just got done with robbing a small cottage far from camp. You were one of the few women who could be trusted to do something like that, other than be a distraction. Things went well, only one casualty, and a good stack of money and supplies. There was a good feeling in your heart, and you were expecting a peaceful ride back to camp.

However, you forgot you were riding with Sean Macguire. Nothing was ever calm and peaceful.

“Hey Y/N, let’s race back ta camp.” He said with that playful spark in his eye, his youthfulness glowing all around him. You’d be lying if you said you didn’t want to, but you also didn’t want to get into any trouble.

“You sure that’s a good idea?” You asked him, and he made a pleading face.

“Please? Let’s have a bit of fun while the old guard ain’t around!” Sean whined, and you eventually gave in. It was hard not to give into Sean, with you especially. You found him rather adorable.

However, you had every right to worry as this race soon led to property damage.

That said, you were having too much fun to worry. I mean, there was this handsome yet adorable Irish man that you had to catch. Plus, if you let him win, he would never let you live it down.

The finish line was said to be right before you enter the tree line that led to camp at Clemen’s Point.

Which wasn’t very fair.

“Sean! Is this any way to treat a lady?” You called up to him with a bit of a smirk, spurring your horse forward. You heard him laugh, and that was his only response as he encouraged Ennis to move faster.

Eventually, you reached your destination with Sean in the lead.

“Talk about being a speed demon! Wasn’t I something, Miss Y/N?” He said while flourishing Ennis, the horse still dancy on his feet. You stopped your own horse, who was much calmer, before grinning at him.

“You certainly were. Perhaps you could teach me a thing or two.” You told him with a bright smile, making the poor ginger all flustered. It was very unlike Sean to get so, but you loved to see it.

Ennis, apparently, did not.

Sean pushed his horse to his limits, and now it was payback time. Rearing up on his hindlegs, Ennis caught his rider off guard. Sean was too busy thinking about what to say to you to notice and did a lovely tumble onto the ground. Granted, it was better than if he fell while the horse was going full speed, but you still winced.

“You alright?” You asked while quickly dismounting and walking over to him. He groaned slightly while placing a hand to the back of his head. You placed a hand on his shoulder while you crouched beside him.

“Damn horse...” He muttered while feeling where there would definitely be a bump.

“Shouldn’t have pushed him so. That was him telling you that you should’ve let me win.” You said with a slight grin, knowing he wasn’t in so much pain. 

“That’s why I love ya Y/N. So fun to be around and caring as well.” Sean said with that grin of his. You thought he was just playing around, but you were surprised to hear how serious he sounded.

“Y-You must’ve hit your head harder than you thought.” You said with a stutter, a blush coming to your cheeks. Slowly, you helped him to his feet. You thought he was about to agree before he grabbed your hands. The warmth made you even more flustered.

“I-I know a joke around a lot, but I seriously love ya Y/N. Please...believe me.” He practically pleaded with you. You continued to stare at him, the smallest of smiles on your face.

“That’s why you only asked me to come on your little raid?” You asked in a shy manner. Sean merely nodded, loosening the grip on your hands in case you did want to leave. 

However, instead, you leaned forward and kissed his cheek. Then you began to walk away.

“H-Hey! What was that?” Sean felt like an idiot asking that, but it was so unexpected of you. You casually looked over your shoulder.

“You won the race, right. You deserved a prize.” You said with a blush, smiling slightly. Then you grabbed your horse and began to walk back into camp.

Sean just stood there, slowly bringing his hand to the cheek that you kissed before grinning stupidly.

Lenny, who was on guard duty, was wondering if you broke Sean. The poor man hasn’t moved for hours.

You really put a spell on him.

[todaysbat]

Bat Rescue and Rehabilitatiors List

PROVIDING TEMPORARY CARE (from Bat World Sanctuary's website): DO NOT handle a bat with bare hands, and do not attempt to rehabilitate the bat on your own. To do so could jeopardize your safely as well as the life of the bat. Please read the following information to provide temporary care for the bat until help is obtained.

Line a box with an old t-shirt so the bat has a surface to hang upside-down. Create some pleats in the shirt so the bat can hide if it wants to. (Make sure any tape that is used is secured well so the bat won't get stuck.) Put a small amount of water in a small, shallow container like a vitamin or baby food jar lid (as seen in this video: https://youtu.be/YtJkaDWuUQc ). DO NOT provide any type of food whatsoever - to do so will cause organ failure to critically dehydrated bats. Make sure a top is secured to the box as some bats can squeeze through a crack as thin as 1/2 inch. If you must handle the bat please remember to wear thick gloves (even though rabies is rare in bats, if the bat bites you it will need to be euthanized and tested). Until help is located, keep the box in a room where the bat won't get too warm or too cold and keep the bat away from children and pets.

Make sure to call, not email whichever local wildlife rescue in your area.

last updated: may 18, 2024 note: please let me know if there's broken links

Australia: **all links in English** -Australian Fauna Care (a resource for locating wildlife rescuers throughout the country, not just bats): https://www.fauna.org.au/

Austria: **all links in German** -Koordinationsstelle für Fledermausschutz-und forschung in Österreich: http://www.fledermausschutz.at/Sets/Kontakt-Set.htm

Canada **all links in English** -Neighborhood Bat Watch's List of Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers accepting bats (Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba, and Yukon): https://batwatch.ca/content/wildlife-rehabilitation-centres-accepting-bats -Ontario Wildlife Rescue (website has resources for more than just bats): http://www.ontariowildliferescue.ca/wildlifecentres/?care=bat -Toronto Wildlife Centre (any animal species native to southern Ontario except adult deer and bears): https://www.torontowildlifecentre.com/wildlife-emergency-rescue-hotline/

England, Scotland, and Wales: **All links in English** -Bat Conservation Trust: https://www.bats.org.uk/advice/help-ive-found-a-bat -National Bat Helpline (run by BCT): https://www.bats.org.uk/our-work/national-bat-helpline

France: **all links in French** -Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux NORD: https://nord.lpo.fr/faq/jai-trouve-une-chauve-souris-au-sol-que-dois-je-faire/ -Le Groupe Chiroptères National | SFEPM: https://www.sfepm.org/le-groupe-chiropteres-national.html

Germany **all links are in German** -Landesfachausschuss Fledermausschutz NRW: http://www.fledermausschutz.de/ansprechpartner/

Ireland: **All links are in English** -The National Parks and Wildlife Service in the Republic of Ireland can be called at (01) 888 3200 -Irish Wildlife Matters has a listing of rehabbers (not just bats): http://irishwildlifematters.ie/rehabilitators/

Northern Ireland: **All links are in English** -CEDaR: https://www.nmni.com/CEDaR/Bat-enquiries.aspx -Northern Ireland Bat Group: https://www.bats-ni.org.uk/

Italy: **all links are in Italian** -Associazione Teriologica Italiana: https://www.mammiferi.org/girc/recupero-chirotteri/ -LIPU - Centro Recupero Fauna Selvatica Lipu di Roma (not just bats): https://www.crfslipuroma.it/ -Centro tutela fauna - Fauna esotica e selvatica (not just bats): https://centrotutelafauna.org/

Liechtenstein: **all links in German** -Verein Fledermausschutz: https://www.verein-fledermausschutz.ch/

Spain: **All links are in Spanish** -GREFA - Centros de recuperación de fauna en España: https://www.grefa.org/esta-en-tu-mano/centros-de-recuperacion-de-fauna-en-espana

Sweden **all links in Swedish** -Nordens Viltrehabilitering (Nordic Wildlife Rehabilitation): https://viltrehab.se/hittat-ett-djur/fladdermus/

Switzerland **all links are in Swiss German** -Fledermausschutz (in Zurich): https://fledermausschutz.ch/ -Wildstation Landshut (in Bern, appears to be not just bats): https://www.wildstation.ch/ -Wildtiere-Pflegestation (in Fribourg, not just bats): https://www.fr.ch/de/nhmf/wildtiere-pflegestation-rita-roux -Notpflegestationen (in Thurgau): https://fledermausschutz-tg.ch/ansprechspersonen/notpflegestationen -Fledermausschutz Kanton Schwyz (in Zug): https://www.fledermausschutz-sz.ch/Findlinge/mobile/ -Fledermausschutz Kanton Luzern (in Luzern): https://luzern.fledermaus.info/

Ukraine -Ukrainian Bat Rehabilitation Center (in Kharkiv, link is to English version of site, also available in Ukrainian and Russian): http://www.bat-kharkov.in.ua/en/

United States **All links in English** -Bat World Sanctuary Local Rescue Database (country wide): https://batworld.org/local-rescue/ -Animal Help Now (also has resources for removing nuisance animals; not just bats; country wide): https://ahnow.org/#/ -Wildlife Response (Hampton Roads area of Virginia only; not just bats): https://www.wildliferesponse.org/ -Houston Humane Society TWRC Wildlife Center (Houston, Texas; only takes orphaned, ill, or injured wildlife; not just bats): https://www.twrcwildlifecenter.org/found-an-animal/ -Pennsylvania Association of Wildlife Rehabilitators (Pennsylvania; not just bats): https://pawr.com/ -Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network (Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, California; also has resources for coexisting; not just bats): https://www.sbwcn.org/

[dry-valleys]

"This is a great and laborious undertaking, but the line which it opens is vast and noble and coming in this honourable way I thought it too great an opportunity to be neglected”. Thomas Telford.

Second part (please see the first) of my series on the National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port.

This was an uninhabited marsh before 1795, when the geniuses Thomas Telford (whose work we also saw in his native Scotland) and William Jessop engineered a canal between here and Chester.

Between then and 1846, the huge achievement known as the Shropshire Union Canal was built, linking Ellesmere Port and Chester through Pontyscyllte Aqueduct (1805) to Wales, made even better in 1833 when a link of canal at Middlewich joined it to the Trent and Mersey Canal.

With the coming of the Anderton Boat Lift in 1875 and Manchester Ship Canal in 1894 (please see it in its home city), the challenge of the railways (which came to Ellesmere Port in 1863) was staved off and the town went from strength to strength.

The raw materials and agricultural goods of Cheshire, Shropshire and Wales, and the industry of Cheshire, Ironbridge (now in a town named after Thomas Telford) and my home city of Stoke on Trent, boomed out here.

To handle it and ship it out, there were the buildings seen in the first post, whose docks were opened in 1843, along with Raddle Wharf (1,2- now, inevitably, turned into flats), the toll house (4- Grade II listed and restored in 1983), and workshops of blacksmiths (5), mechanical engineers (6) and other skilled trades; see here for the boat builders.

The workers, often Irish, who toiled long hours for low wages and were unpopular with locals (not a problem at Ellesmere Port though, as no one lived here before 1795!) were housed in (7-9) Potters Row Houses, built in 1833, which are furnished inside as they would have been in the 1950s.

Because, while we obviously needed Telford and Jessop to design this town (which didn’t exist before 1795), the building was done by such men and women and their beasts, a statue of which by Faith Bebbington is in (10) where it has stood since 2013.

 Whole communities of ‘navvies’ and canal trades grew up (the last gasp of which is seen in the film Young Adam), with a way of life unlike that of settled communities like that which slowly build up in Ellesmere Port (now home to over 61,000 folk).

As the town boomed, the canals almost became a victim of their own success; the vast Stanlow oil refinery came here in 1924 but made little use of the canal, whose decline was furthered when the canals were nationalised 1948 and ceased to be used in 1963. The M53 roared through in 1972, caring nothing.

The burning down of the Telford-designed warehouse in 1970 (please see my earlier post for more), sparked townsfok into action to save their own life and times. In 1971 the Boat Museum Society was founded in Manchester, then this museum was founded in 1973.

A visit by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip (RIP) in 1979 cemented the museum’s growth, since 2000 operated by the Waterways Trust, and I saw it for the first time last weekend. The canals now thrive, offering a walking and cycling path, a haven for wildlife, and of course the boats that still sail here, though now for play not work.

Now one can, when seeing a town that is at the forefront of industry in the oil refinery and the Vauxhall car factory which has worked here since 1962, understand through looking at boats such as (3) Mossdale (1860- now being restored) whose inspiration and perspiration carved this out from a place where it was once assumed that no human could live.

[royal-things]

The announcement was made this morning in the States by the Bailiff Timothy Le Cocq who said that on 24 June the Princess Anne will carry out a number of official engagements including officially opening Les Quennevais School.

She will also present volunteer reserve service medals to Jersey Field Squadron members and attend a service at St Saviour's Church to commemorate the lives of veterans from the Peninsular War and Battle of Waterloo.

In addition to this, the Princess will travel to St Peter to open the new Strive facility – due to be used by the British and Irish Lions later this month – and, in her role as a patron of the charity, visit the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust to open a new butterfly and tortoise house and to see the organisation's bio-secure unit.

[dansnaturepictures]

24th June 2021: Blog 2 of 2-Second looks at South Stack and Cemlyn and more wildlife and photos from the cottage 

Following on from my previous post, then today turned into an afternoon of revisits of key places this week as do often do on holidays as we firstly had one last look at one of my favourite places in the week RSPB South Stack. Here it was nice to see the sea and the lighthouse on a more misty day than on Sunday it was more misty here, our first full day here when we came looking quite moody but so nice to hear, see and smell the coast with seabirds wailing away nicely. The usual sweet sound of Guillemots and at one point I thought I heard a Kittiwake call it’s onomatopoeic call I hadn’t seen any here before so I’m not sure. As well as taking in views of the place looking really lovely I took the second and third pictures in this photoset of views here and taking in nice flowers here like Sunday especially sheep’s-bit and sea campion and dandelions too I really enjoyed seeing two Razorbills at the bottom of a bit of cliff but fairly close. A key bird this holiday which I’d not managed to succeed with a photo of yet this holiday so I got my bridge camera onto these and took the first picture in this photoset of one. Seeing Guillemots and Razorbills in their droves sailing onto and around the base of the cliff through the air was a delicious sight to enjoy and summed up what I love about this area so much.

Then we had some glorious moments as after seeing them briefly on the first full day of the holiday and working quite hard for them a key bird of this reserve we got astonishing views of some Choughs, a pair then a group of three which could have been the same pair with another added and some were possibly young the nice RSPB person we spoke to on Sunday here said there are young about. Coming down from high up towards the visitor centre it was amazing to see these super red and black crows so well flying and settling on the patch of heath and hear them perfectly too. Their sharp and high pitched onomatopoeic call is always so evocative of the rugged coast I adore and everything I love about the whole experience of the coast so much so this really filled me with much glee. What a stunning moment with one of my favourite birds, we had well and truly seen them very well at one of their hubs now Anglesey within the UK now. I was pleased to take the fourth and fifth pictures in this photoset of the Choughs. Such a big part of the coast I love is seeing Ravens and Choughs different to the crows I would see at home immediately around us. And it was nice to see a big bold Raven with its loud bark call for the first time this holiday here today. I like the Ravens at the coast as well as placed like the New Forest where I adore seeing them. I liked taking in this place I have known for ages after coming in 2016 one last time this year, including the lovely statues/carvings of Puffin, Peregrine and Sheep as well as the lovely flowers by the visitor centre which I really enjoyed seeing looking nice and colourful on Sunday. A photo I tweeted tonight involves the Puffin carving. 

We then came to one of the star places this week again, the brilliant Cemlyn which we all became so fond of after the tern colony and more experience on Monday. As we arrived once more we were embraced by the sweet and stunning noise of the tern colony in full swing. We walked out to the tip of the headland and did see definitely Sandwich Tern and Common Tern possibly Arctic Tern too flying sweetly and closely over our heads. Phenomenal to see again. Oystercatcher, Curlew seen and heard well, Shelduck and Ringed Plover made greet sights here of birds that we see a lot of at home on the coast. There were some great flowers here again in the form of the ones in the sixth picture in this photoset possibly wild radish that’s the best match I could find for it which I enjoyed seeing on Monday too, of course more white clover, bird’s-foot trefoil, more lovely thrift, the first vetch I’d seen this trip a common one at home and lots of foxgloves once more. I took the seventh picture in this photoset of a really beautiful view here.

At the tip of the headland when some rain had come on we looked for what we had come this evening for, Manx Shearwaters that the nice Wildlife Trust man we spoke to on Monday said could be seen here flying by about 6pm. We knew from seeing them at Pembrokeshire in the past - we’ve seen them in Cornwall the last two years in fine weather too - that adverse weather wind and rain can bring the Manx Shearwaters in nicely. And tonight they certainly did come in well. We saw dozens flying by and got fantastic views of these amazing seabirds drifting over the ocean. They came staggeringly close into a little bay area before flying on over the Irish Sea. I even got the eighth picture in this photoset of one. I was so thrilled to see these and really take them in as one last wildlife spectacle this holiday, it was a bird that unlike Puffin, Black Guillemot et al. didn’t really become a target for this week until we were here and heard about them so this felt like a huge bonus but a bird I might not have seen elsewhere this year. So this was crucial in securing one of the best birds we have for me probably the closest I’ve ever seen it to the island that gives it its name Isle of Man and one on my B list of favourite birds for 2021 one of my birds of the year taking my year list to 169 making it outright my seventh highest ever year list now overtaking my 2013 and 2015 totals and it sits only two behind how many birds I had seen at this stage of the year during my highest ever bird year list in 2019 which I find so amazing and is testament to the injection of year ticks this week has given us with every target seen. It became a true sea watch as Gannet flew by too which was smashing to see and as well as the terns and a lovely Swift flew over.

On our last trip to Wales, Pembrokeshire 2017 I spent the final night of it looking at masses of Manx Shearwaters on a rainy evening and other seabirds from the boat around Skomer Island. And just like four years ago doing this again tonight was the perfect way to end this adventure and it’s among the closest views I’ve got of them since that remarkable night this one another remarkable night and arguably some of my best ever views of this bird.

Wildlife Sightings Summary: (South Stack) Three of my favourite birds the Chough, Razorbill and Guillemot, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Raven and lovely Rock Pipit. (Cemlyn) My first Manx Shearwaters of the year, two of my favourite birds the Gannet and Shelduck, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Cormorant, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Ringed Plover, Stonechat, Swift, House Martin and a nice Argent and Sable moth flying around.

Favourite birds of mine Little Egret and Buzzard seen very well between the two locations was great again and we saw a Grey Heron after Cemlyn too. Seeing familiar birds at home which I hadn’t seen all week Starlings lined up on a wire at a petrol station tonight was a great moment too. And coming back to the cottage for our final night a bizarre sight of a Hedgehog in daylight was awaiting us this was a stunning moment I was able to get nicely safely close to what was my first Hedgehog seen this year and have an incredibly intimate moment with this precious and iconic mammal my third mammal year tick of the trip. This sighting deepened by appreciation for how wild the place we are staying in it. It allowed for my first ever photo of one too which I tweeted. And I also took the final two pictures in this photoset of the regular Song Thrush that’s been around singing its heart out one of my favourite bird calls I had been wanting to photograph one of the thrushes visiting the garden between this and Blackbird but not quite managed it so it was nice to have something to remember it by and a view as some cloud and mist lifted and allowed us to see the mountains we’ve become so fond of seeing potentially for the final time if its rainy/foggy in the morning.

The week away was simply incredible and one of my best times this year and I must say this about every part of the country we branch out to on holidays each year whether I know them or are new to me, most memorable holidays ever. For wildlife particularly birds and mammals it was a week of sweet reunions for species I hadn’t seen for years or some I did last year, dream moments and experiences, seeing species in a way I never had before and fantastic natural spectacles some of the best the UK has to offer. Landscape wise it was so typically Welsh with sensational views of vast mountains, dramatic coast and pretty river and woodland, and important marsh and lake habitat alike, right from the doorstep in the nicely wild and very comfy, homely and brilliant in all ways cottage we stayed in one of the best for me and further afield. Flowers, butterflies and dragonflies played a huge role in the holiday with foxgloves and red campion especially turning the place pink with some amazing moments with butterflies and dragonflies outside and other insects in the cottage such as the crane fly and moths. We had a lot of animals we got used to and loved seeing around and in the cottage just like the views with the Rabbits, Hedgehog, garden birds and even the sheep typically for Wales. The weather was varied we seemed to get a bit of most things but it added to and allowed the holiday to happen well we were lucky with it especially the sunny and warm days. Overall we obtained a strong sense of tranquility and ultimate relaxation and it was everything I’d want in a holiday. We saw all our targets wildlife wise which feels amazing, my Mum researched it all so well hours of work before coming away to know where all the species could be seen and how to get there which really paid dividends and we are so thankful for. I’m leaving feeling very endeared to Anglesey an area I loved from coming for one day before anyway I took it really to my heart and was reminded how much I love wider North Wales with a slice of Snowdonia in there and I definitely cannot wait to be back! Thanks for all your support for all my posts and photos which I am so pleased the cottage wi-fi allowed me to post on the nights. 

[magickaltoadstool]

Creature Feature - Squirrels

These frisky little animals are a common site in most UK woodlands, the beautiful red one far less common than the invasive greys but they are all quite entertaining to watch.

I’ve personally felt a connection to the squirrel for as long as I can remember and even to this day, a squirrel sighting on a bad day will lighten my mood. Maybe it’s their playful, sometimes naughty and scatty nature!

The squirrel is a rodent and belongs to the family Scuridae and there are said to be around 300 different species across the world but the ones I’m going to focus on are the two that are found here in the UK (and Europe).The beautiful and smaller red squirrel is the only native squirrel to the UK and it’s said that until the medieval era the squirrel was able to travel across the entire country via the ancient woodlands; most of which no longer exist.

These days the red squirrel is on the endangered list and most of the population can be found in Scotland, although they can be found in a few other Welsh, Irish and English habitats.

The decline in the red squirrel can be attributed to the introduction of the non-native North American Grey squirrel and the parapox virus which is carried by the greys but is deadly to their native red cousins. Thankfully recent studies have shown that the reds are starting to show signs of growing immunity to the virus. Obviously, the other contributing factor to their decline is the loss of habitat.

It’s the lovely red squirrel that has inspired artists and writers alike and is famously depicted in the works of Beatrix Potter as the naughty Squirrel Nutkin.

llIustration by Beaxtrix Potter (The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin)

Squirrels are known for being energetic and playful but when they aren’t chasing after each other and having fun; they can be seen stashing food away for the winter months when they may only emerge for a couple of hours a day. This is where the saying ‘squirrelling away’ come from.

The Squirrel in Nordic Mythology The most famous squirrel that those with an interest in Norse mythology may be aware of is Ratatoskr. He was said to represent rain and snow as well as the elements Earth and Air. Ratatoskr is a red squirrel and is known as a speedy messenger that scampers up and down Yggdrasil (the world tree) and would relay messages between Níðhöggr (a monster that feeds on Yggdrasil’s roots and resides in the underworld) and the wise Eagle Veðrfölnir who lives at the top of the tree (more often than not, the messages were insults.)

Image from Wikipedia - Illustration from a 17th-century manuscript Associations: Organization, survival, speed, resourcefulness, responsibility, speed, cunning, playfulness, joy, inquisitive, observant, agility, family, dedication, spirited, kindness, mischief, passion, hard-work, life, change, fertility, re-birth. Feminine: Feminine Elements: Earth & Air **All words and images are my own unless otherwise stated, please make sure that credit is in place if you reblog or share it** Sources: YPTE, Wildlife Trust, My BOS

[surveys-at-your-service]

Survey #371

“some of those that work forces are the same that burn crosses”

What is one song you feel as though you sing particularly well, if any? Probably none, lol. What was the last lengthy task you completed? I love these unique questions I've had lately, but damn, are a lot of my answers "I don't know," lol. What type of photography do you enjoy looking at? Do you take any photos yourself, and if so, what types of things do you prefer to photograph? I love floral and wildlife photography. Landscapes, too, and I have a great fondness for boudoir for reasons I've mentioned in previous surveys. I like taking nature pictures, mainly. Have you ever gone out for the Black Friday shopping rush? Did you enjoy it, or not so much? Or, what’s the busiest shopping day you’ve ever experienced? Hell no, that's a hard pass. I'm sure the busiest shopping experience I've had was like at the mall or something around Christmas, idk. Do you enjoy reading diaries or stories you wrote from when you were younger, or does it embarrass you? If you’ve kept them, was there a particular reason for hanging on to them so long? NO. I DON'T. BECAUSE I CRINGE INTO ANOTHER DIMENSION. I keep a lot of it for memory's sake, but goddamn, is it always embarrassing. What would you say was your first true hobby? What about your most recently developed one? Um... the first thing I really remember is video games. I played Spyro like, a LOT, along with other childhood games. I was just really into gaming at a young age. Is there one thing that throws off your mood more than others, whether it be lack of sleep, lack of food, heat/cold, etc., and when was the last time you felt especially cranky? THE HEAT. I become so irritable. I was needlessly cranky a few days ago for whatever reason. What kinds of things are you likely to complain about? My legs hurting, more than anything. Also being hot. Do you like to put any extra effort into your food in terms of presentation, or do you prefer to just put it on a plate and eat it as it is, no frills? Ha, no. It's not gonna look fancy in my stomach, so whatever. Have you ever dated someone who had kids? No, and I very much doubt I ever would. Are there any candles in the room with you? No. Does the last person you kissed have tattoos? No, but I tell her all the time that dainty nature tattoos would be THE most beautiful on her. When was the last time someone called you pretty? I think when I last updated my Facebook profile picture. Do you like the color pink? It's my favorite! Does your cell phone have a case on it? What color? It came with this thin purple one. What was the last song you had on repeat? "Moon Baby" by Godsmack. Ever kissed someone your parents hated? No. Your most recent ex says he/she hates you, you say? I wouldn't *say* anything, I'd break down sobbing. Would you feel hurt if your last ex was in a relationship? No. Have you ever had to choose between two people? Yes: Jason and Juan. Juan and I dated for less than a day not all that long before Jason and I got together, and Juan was pretty upset. He was nooot a fan of Jason due to a shared ex-girlfriend. Jason, meanwhile, just didn't care. What is the saddest thing that has happened to you? What about the happiest? I think the saddest thing has to be my breakup, especially when you know just how madly in love I was with him and had endless trust that he would never leave, and then he was gone in a flash one night. The happiest is, in turn, my recovery from said split. I found strength in myself and felt hope for once as I learned coping mechanics and got a psychiatrist that was worth a shit in my partial hospitalization program. What was the last new drink you discovered that was delicious? *shrug* Do you have a YouTube channel? Yes. I don't make videos anymore, though. Were you happy as a teenager? God no, my depression was awful. What do you do for your mom on Mother’s Day? Sigh. Not enough. I just tell her happy Mother's Day, give her a hug, and try to be an extra good daughter. Do you know anyone who follows a raw vegan diet and lifestyle? No. Can you go see a doctor alone or do you like to take someone with you? I can do it alone (but only have once), but I like to bring my mom with me still. Would you have sex with someone of the same gender as you? I'm bi, so. Have you ever had a concussion? One or two, I can't remember. How many dresses do you own? Zero. Do you know anyone who has a pet gecko? Yeah, my friend Summer has a darling leopard gecko. I want oneeeeee. They look so damn derpy and adorable, and their chill demeanor is something I really like in pets. Would you ever go bear hunting? No. Absolutely never. Do you prefer drawing or painting? Any particular reason why? Drawing, for sure. At least you can erase stuff, and paint is just so messy. Do you like raisins? NO THANKS MAN. Do you remember your locker combinations from high school? Nope. Do you forget to flip the page of your calendar at the start of each month? I don't have a calendar. Are you racist to any race? Nope. Have you ever intentionally hurt an animal? I've given cats and dogs a small pop on the rear, but nothing more than that. I hate doing even that, but with the language barrier and all, sometimes it's the only way to get your point across. Do you own any autographed memorabilia? No. Have you ever dated a twin? No. Oreos or Chips Ahoy? Oreos. Have you ever considered being a cop? Yeah, no thank you. What’s your favorite superhero movie? Maybe Logan. I thought it was very emotional and just overall a good movie. Name somebody you know who deserves a better life than they have: MY MOM. Name something that you’re good at but don’t like: uhhhhhhhh Name something that you’re bad at but DO like: Dancing, maybe. Which is worse: Stale chips or flat soda? Stale chips, for sure. It's certainly not my preference, but I can drink flat soda. Who’s the hottest guy and hottest girl out there? M-Mark Fischbach. :') Girl... let's seeeeee... maybe Alissa White-Gluz from Arch Enemy. GodDAMN what a WOMAN. ❤_❤ Do you ever trip over your pets? Yes, because he just looooves to follow me at my feet. What’s your relationship like with your exes? Aaron, Juan, Jason, and Tyler: nonexistent. Sara and Girt: great. What was the last thing you turned down doing? Going to my nephew's t-ball game. I always feel bad when I say no when Mom asks if I wanna go... but at least the kids know I just don't handle the heat well. Are you a party animal? Faaaaar from it, my friend. Who are you the biggest fan of? m-m-m-mMARKIPLIER You’re DJ for the night - first track to get everyone going? Uhhhh maybe "Party Hard" by Andrew W.K.? Have you ever been hit on by a pushy person? I think Juan was kinda pushy, but not to an uncomfortable degree. He respected what I felt. What accent do you find attractive? Most attractive, British. But I also really like Scottish and Irish. Also French accents in women I tend to find very beautiful-sounding. Have you ever had feelings for a friend's partner? Yes. What’s your favorite thing to do that doesn’t cost much? Drive around take pictures, maybe? Let's, uh, ignore the whole gas crisis in this answer. When in danger are you more fight or flight? Flight. Do you feel self conscious about a certain body part? *gestures to entire body* Have you been accused of being manipulative? Yes. Have you ever considered violence to solve your problem? No. Are you romantic? I personally think so. If you are a smoker, how long does a pack typically last you? If you aren’t a smoker, does anybody you are close to smoke, & if so, are you against the fact that they’re a smoker? I don't smoke. To answer the next part, yes, like my dad and stepmom. I wish they would stop so badly, like it's literally going to kill them both. Do you have more subscribers or more people that you are subscribed to? On YouTube? I'm definitely subscribed to waaay more people. Is there anything that has been drilled into your brain since you were young & you finally decided to stop listening to? How did it feel once you decided to listen to yourself over what you were told? Yes: "finish your plate." Teaching your kid to eat beyond their comfort can be very destructive, and I'm glad I never stuck to that once Mom stopped enforcing it. If you are currently in a relationship, what is one thing that seems to be unique or different about your relationship with this person, compared to other relationships in general? If you are currently single, is this more of a choice or is it more just the way things are going, not really something you chose? If you are neither “single” or officially in a relationship, what are your feelings on your current situation? I'm single, and it's just how it is. I know realistically I wouldn't tell what felt like the right person no, but it really is probably better that I stay single and keep figuring my shit out. Think of somebody famous that you have a lot of respect for. What is something that you really admire them for? To name just one thing I admire in Mark, his relentless "I'm going to do this no matter what" attitude is very inspirational to me. He lets like... n-o-t-h-i-n-g get in his way. If somebody were to leave a harsh comment on a survey you took, judging you on one of your opinions, how would you react? I'd get pretty self-conscious, just because I in general take judgment quite poorly. I obsess over "what if they're right, and you're just an idiot?". Are there any other sites you use to find surveys to take? What sites do you use? I mainly use Tumblr and LiveJournal, but in times of great desperation, I'll use Bzoink and just google surveys as well, haha. Have you sent or received any friend requests on Facebook lately? Not sent, but I got one from someone I had no mutual friends with the other day. Safe to say I declined it. Can you recall the last time you turned down an offer, of any kind? Uhhhhh no. Which fruit would you say you eat the most often? Apples. What was your pet’s last vet visit concerning? Roman has been to the vet once to get neutered (and I think shots?). I took Venus many years ago because I thought she had a respiratory infection. Thank god, she didn't. Which animals do you tend to go check out first at pet stores? The reptiles, snakes in particular. Have you ever been a victim of a house fire? No. What’s the longest you’ve ever had to wait before being seated at a restaurant? Like, over an hour. Have you ever had a cavity before? How about a root canal? A tooth pulled? Braces? Cavities and braces, yes. What is your favorite zoo animal that you would like to set free? Probably polar bears. Like especially here, it gets so hot in the summer, and the poor things sometimes only have a bit of snow in the shade. Like... they can't be very happy. Especially when you see those videos of them playing in snow, and then you think about situations like our zoo here... ugh. What kinds of artifacts fascinate you? I really think old figurines built with like clay and stuff are cool. But all artifacts I find to be very intriguing. It's so interesting to see that the desire to create has always been with us as a species. Is there anyone that you’ve visited in jail? No.

[briosca-sa-speir]

Chuaigh Ceara Carney & Leah Rossiter (atá cóirithe mar mhaighdeana mara) le baill d'Iontaobhas Fiadhúlra na hÉireann agus Extinction Rebellion Ireland chun agóid a dhéanamh taobh amuigh de Theach Laighean inné, i gcoinne ró-iascaireacht in uiscí na hÉireann.