#where gannets build

[clove-pinks]

Where Gannets Build, Seabirds' Home, The Fowlers Crag, and The Seabirds' Domain, by Peter Graham (1836–1921).

[reasonsforhope]

"When Francois Beyers first pitched the concept of 3D ocean farming to the Welsh regulators, he had to sketch it on napkins. 

Today the seafood farm is much more than a drawing, but if you walked along the Welsh coastal path near St David’s, all you’d see is a line of buoys. As Beyers puts it: “It’s what’s below that’s important.”

Thick tussles of lustrous seaweed suspend from the buoys, mussels cling to its furry connective ropes and dangling Chinese lantern-esque nets are filled with oysters and scallops. 

“It’s like an underwater garden,” says Beyers, co-founder of the community-owned regenerative ocean farm, Câr-y-Môr. The 3-hectare site is part of a fledgling sector, one of 12 farms in the UK, which key players believe could boost ocean biodiversity, produce sustainable agricultural fertiliser and provide year-round employment in areas that have traditionally been dependent on tourism. 

Created in 2020 by Beyers and six family members, including his father-in-law – an ex-shellfish farmer – the motivation is apparent in the name, which is Welsh for “for the love of the sea”. ...

Pictured: Drone shot of Câr-y-Môr, which is on the site of abandoned mussel farms. Image: Scott Chalmers

Ocean farming comes from the technical term ‘integrated multi-trophic aquaculture’, which means a mixture of different seaweed and shellfish species growing together to mutually benefit each other. But it’s not just a way of growing food with little human input, it also creates ocean habitat. 

“You’re creating a breeding ground for marine animals,” explains Beyers who adds that the site has seen more gannets diving, porpoises and seals – to name a few – since before the farm was established.

Ocean farms like Câr-y-Môr, notes Ross Brown – environmental research fellow at the University of Exeter – have substantial conservation benefits.

“Setting up a seaweed farm creates an exclusion zone so fishermen can’t trawl it,” explains Brown, who has been conducting experiments on the impacts of seaweed and shellfish farms across the UK. 

Brown believes a thriving ocean farming industry could provide solutions to the UK’s fish stock, which is in “a deeply troubling state” according to a report that found half of the key populations to be overfished. “It would create stepping stones where we have safe havens for fish and other organisms,” he adds. 

But UK regulators have adopted a cautious approach, note Brown and Beyers, making it difficult for businesses like Câr-y-Môr to obtain licenses. “It’s been a tough old slog,” says Beyers, whose aim is to change the legislation to make it easier for others to start ocean farms. 

Despite navigating uncharted territories, the business now has 14 full-time employees, and 300 community members, of which nearly 100 have invested in the community-benefit society. For member and funding manager Tracey Gilbert-Falconer, the model brings expertise but most importantly, buy-in from the tight-knit local community. 

“You need to work with the community than forcing yourself in,” she observes. 

And Câr-y-Môr is poised to double its workforce in 2024 thanks to a Defra grant of £1.1 million to promote and develop the Welsh seafood industry as part of the UK Seafood Fund Infrastructure Scheme. This will go towards building a processing hub, set to be operational in April, to produce agricultural fertiliser from seaweed. 

Full of mineral nutrients and phosphorous from the ocean, seaweed use in farming is nothing new, as Gilbert-Falconer notes: “Farmers in Pembrokeshire talk about their grandad going down to the sea and throwing [seaweed] on their farms.” 

But as the war in Ukraine has caused the price of chemical fertiliser to soar, and the sector tries to reduce its environmental impact – of which synthetic fertiliser contributes 5% of total UK emissions – farmers and government are increasingly looking to seaweed. 

The new hub will have capacity to make 65,000 litres of sustainable fertiliser annually with the potential to cover 13,000 acres of farmland. 

But to feed the processing hub, generate profit and reduce their dependency on grants, the co-op needs to increase the ocean farm size from three to 13 hectares. If they obtain licences, Beyers says they should break even in 18 months. 

For now, Beyers reflects on a “humbling” three years but revels in the potential uses of seaweed, from construction material to clothing.  

“I haven’t seen the limit yet,” he smiles."

-via Positive.News, February 19, 2024

[beni75]

Photos and texts: @thomaspeschak

1-. A curious gray whale exhales almost directly into my camera

2-. A curious juvenile gray whale vigorously exhales and speeds past my camera in Mexico's San Ignacio Lagoon

3-. A Humpback whales breaches in the North Pacific Ocean off Canada's Great Bear Rainforest

4-. A dusky shark charges through a baitball of sardines

5-. y 6-. A whale sharks swins in shallow water in La Paz Bay, Baja California Sur

7-. A reef manta ray feeds on a plankton patch by barrel rolling over and over again in the same spot, not unlike a puppy chasings its own tail

8-. A reef manta ray feeds along the drop off at D'Arros Island an St. Joseph Atoll. Seychelles

9-. African peguins

10-. A endemic Socotra cormorant comes in to land on a roosting rock deep within the Fjords of Oman's Musandam Peninsula (2012)

11-. African peguins shelter and nest in decaying building long abandoned b the guano industry on Namibia's Halifax Island

12-. At Aldabra atoll green sea turtles often rest for hours on the sandy seabed between coral outcrops

13-. Blacktip reef sharks inspect the hull of our boat on Aldabra's tidal flats. Seychelles

14-. Blacktip reef sharks patrol the drop off where D'Arros Island's coral reef descendes into deeper water

15-. Cape fur seals surf Altantic swell in the Table Mountain Marine Protected Area

16-. Cape Gannet colony on Bird island bathed by lightening and the beam of the lighthouse

17-. The hunt begins at dusk and continuous deep into the night

18-. A curious gray whale swins upside down beneath our boat in Mexico's San Ignacio Lagoon

19-. A venomous lionfish hunts baitfish in Mozambique's Ponta do Ouro marine reserve, by @thomaspeschak

20-. A salmon leaps high into the air to clear a raging waterfall

21-. A wild rocky point just out into the North Pacific Ocean

22-. A large potato grouper hunts amongst schools of baitfish that seasonally drape southern Mozambique's reefs

23-. Dolphins of Indo pacific

[carfuckerlynch]

[transcipt: 1. "Like a heart, the ley line jerked and spasmed to life. Cabeswater was alive.

'Now!' Adam shouted. 'Ronan, now!'

The night horror hissed a scream.

'It's only you,' whispered Orphan Girl. She was holding his hand, crouched down next to him. 'Why do you hate you?'

Ronan thought about it.

The albino night horror swept in, talons opening.

Ronan stood up, stretching out his arm like he would to Chainsaw.

'I don't,' he said.

And then he woke up."

2. "You must fix your heart, and you must build an altar where it swells."

3. "'O plunge your hands in water, plunge them in up to the wrists; stare, stare in the basin, and wonder what you've missed."

4. "hello, a flash in the sky, would you like to meet him there, in Heaven? Imagine a room, a sudden glow. Here is my hand, my heart, my throat, my wrist. Here are the illuminated cities at the center of me, which is a lake, which is a well that we can drink from, but I can't go through with it. I just don't want to die anymore."

5. "Hennessy found she was inside the entity. The lacy shapes fell all over her, and now, from this perspective, she could see they were exactly the same shadows cast by the lights in her mother's old London studio. In here, as it muttered to itself, she could hear 6. that the Lace's deep voice was actually just her own voice. It was using her thoughts against her. All its weapons were just her weapons.

They had been very effective weapons for a very long time."

6. "We are plagued (but the poison is the cure)."

7. "Gannets never go blind, and they certainly never die."

8. "I watch my guardian angel leave the building; I am my only friend."

9. "You will save yourself. You cannot help it." /end transcript]

get up, coward

maggie stiefvater— the dream thieves//my chemical romance— the foundations of decay//w. h. auden— as i walked out one evening//richard siken— saying your names//maggie stiefvater— greywaren//ada limón— lies about sea creatures//the mountain goats— heel turn 1//molly brodak— bee in jar

[dansnaturepictures]

22/06/2022-Post three of three: More bits from the cottage and Flamborough Head

I liked appreciating the rows of roses at the cottage in between the boat trip and going out for a walk this afternoon which I took the seventh picture in this photoset showing some. And during this time I had another incredible wildlife moment today when I noticed House Martins a bird I’ve seen so much of around the cottage has a nest under the roof of the cottage. I am not sure if this is new or I only just noticed this nest built from mud but after seeing this at the cliffs of Thornwick Bay yesterday I was so happy to see it underlining what a great cottage this is for seeing birds. I saw these again tonight and took the eighth picture in this photoset of the nest with a head peeking through whether this is one of a pair on eggs or with young chicks or nearly at that stage or a chick we are not sure but I would think the former more likely. I feel so lucky we are staying in a place where birds are nesting on the building and lovely birds too. I also took the final two pictures in this photoset at the cottage tonight of a lovely birch tree visible from the cottage I have been meaning to take a photo of and an insect I believe a fly that came in to the kitchen.

This afternoon we checked out another part of Flamborough that I enjoyed when here last in 2018, Flamborough Head under the glow of the impressive lighthouse. It was a brilliant athletic walk around here taking in more stunning coastal views on this beautiful and hot day, as bright blue see and rocks and cliffs blended perfectly with meadow creating great vibrant green and blue scenes. I took the third, fifth and sixth pictures in this photoset of views here today. 

It was an honour to see again the birds we had enjoyed so much on the boat trip this morning as we did sail past here; pristine Puffins, glorious Guillemots, rustic Razorbills, fanciful Fulmars and giant Gannets. It was the Kittiwakes that stole the show here as just like in 2018 I was thrilled when I spotted one Kittiwake with a chick on their packed cliff nests here. Always amazing to see a young bird and I also saw another young Herring Gull here.

We also enjoyed another star species of the boat trip again on the walk round when we saw dozens of Grey Seals especially two large groups of them hauled out on low rocks in the seal below the cliff. Here and elsewhere we got some epic views of them popping their heads out of the water, the sea in this sunlight was a sweet light shade of blue that allowed you to see them quite well as they went under water and this felt quite exotic. An amazing time spent with this animal. I took the fourth picture in this photoset of one. 

Other bird highlights of the walk were hovering Kestrel which again I saw here in 2018 and Meadow Pipit seen well in the air and on a post. There was another amazing moment with a House Martin here today as we saw them flying so close to the cliffs and unusually landed on them we believe to source mud for their nests. A sensational moment to observe, having seen them with nests the past few days it was so nice to see them gathering materials for one to be be built as this species jostles with Swift and others to be that perhaps unsung key bird of the holiday.

In the rich meadows here Five-spot Burnets were a great sight again as was Meadow Brown butterfly in the insect world. An exotic Painted Lady or two excited us as well with some great views I took and tweeted a photo of one. I also enjoyed the sight of a black slug.

In the meadows also was a pleasing high concentration of northern marsh orchids I believe which looked amazing I have loved seeing this flower this holiday so far I took the first picture in this photoset of one. Also of note for flowers here was the yellow one in the second picture in this photoset, silverweed cinquefoil I believe a great one to see, beautiful buttercups, more lovely bird’s-foot trefoil, vetch and kidney vetch on the cliff the first of the latter I’ve seen this holiday after its been a star at home and was in Pembrokeshire in April, lovely chamomile, I believe groundsel, lovely white clover, bits of broad-leaved clover, plantain, red campion and bindweed. Another fantastic day in Yorkshire! What holidays are all about.

Wildlife Sightings Summary for Flamborough Head: Six of my favourite birds the Guillemot, Razorbill, Puffin, Kittiwake, Fulmar and Gannet, one of my favourite mammals the Grey Seal, one of my favourite butterflies the Large Skipper, one of my favourite moths the Five-spot Burnet, Kestrel, pigeons, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow seen well, Meadow Pipit, Swift, House Martin, Herring Gull, Pained Lady, Common Blue, Meadow Brown, another moth I couldn’t quite see which, Black Slug and I heard Skylark.

My first two posts about today are here: https://dansnaturepictures.tumblr.com/post/687792992609763328/22062022-post-one-of-three-rspb-bempton-cliffs and https://dansnaturepictures.tumblr.com/post/687793563339210752/22062022-post-two-of-three-landscape-pictures

[egenvs3000f23]

Blog 7

Where is music in nature? Where is nature in music?

As a follow-up (focus on the above two before you tackle this one), what song takes you immediately back to a natural landscape? What is the context? Share it with us – I would imagine many of these ideas may have similar underpinnings of a campfire, roadtrip, backpacking journey, etc.!

I heard a quote the other day. It said “art decorates space while music decorates time”. Now this is not entirely true, as art decorates space through time as well. However I think this is a really neat concept to open this blog. If we can bring music into nature interpretation we can use music to have the interpretive experience long out live the moments it is presented. It brings an element of humanesses and community to science. Nature interpretation is experiential learning, and experiential learning brings humanness to science through art.

One of my favourite music and nature experiences comes from a road trip I went on with my family when I was 13. It was July and I had just finished grade 8, my sister, myself, my parents, and my grandparents set out for a 3 week tent-trailer camping trip out east, to go up around NewFoundland and back. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life, however 3 weeks in a car with family was intense to say the least. It was impossible to agree on anything. What to eat, where to camp, and… what to listen to. Eventually my family came across the Piano Guys. For those of you who have not listened, it's an easy guess, it's piano music. However, it has a twist: there is a lot of cello and many of the songs are of popular tunes but made into a-typical upbeat classical version. This compromise on music ended up defining the trip. There is not a song my family and I do not love from the Piano Guys and the incredible thing is when any of us listen to their music we all get brought back to that time and the various places we visited. There is one song called “Michael Meets Mozart”, and it reminds me of the Skerwink Trail in Newfoundland. When that song comes on I remember icebergs, killer wails and I can see the trail we walked on. I can remember how it felt to be in Newfoundland, and I can remember what it was like to be 13 and still living with my family. I also remember the geography and animals I learned about. The way tundra trees grow for hundreds of years and only reach a couple feet in height, the way gannets live in massive colonies on cliffs, it all comes back to me when I hear that song. Music is incredibly powerful to create a shared experience and a memorable one at the same time. This is definitely something to be leveraged in working as a nature interpreter.

As for a more abstract perspective, nature makes music itself. If people are seeking out nature interpretation they are likely feeling they need an escape from the realities of modern life. Most of us living in cities, suburbs and everyday jobs are so used to thinking and analyzing. We are so in our heads thanks to constant media streaming around us. Guiding people through using their senses and grounding them in the present moment can really add to an interpretive experience and help to remove them from the busy lives we lead. Asking people what they hear and how they hear it. Getting them to share what they find and building up a symphony from peoples experiences of the place they actually are. One could say the way aspen leaves blow in the wind make a background music. The birds sing the melody. Branches hitting one another percussion. There is a lot of fun and wonder to be had in analyzing nature through various art forms, and many ways to slip scientific content in. The potentials are endless, and no piece or interpretation of the art is the same. This is the power of music in nature interpretation. The freedom to just be present, enjoy the moment, and learn something in a memorable way.

[meg-moira]

A short story based on this writing prompt.

Follow my Patreon for more writing!

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The woman sloshed from the water, waves frothing about her knees as if the cold ocean was straining to keep her. Once on land, her soft toes sunk into wet sand as her legs wobbled with disuse. Lush black hair hung over her shoulders and back in sodden, twisting ringlets, and she crossed her arms against the cold as she stumbled toward a rocky outcropping in the distance. Goosebumps rose along dark skin as her eyes, black as the sea-depths, searched the beach for movement.

Save for the scuttling of a gray crab, all was still.

Naia was the name she had chosen, and when she emerged from the rocks, Naia wore a thick shawl, cotton breeches, and boots which made her toes feel warm but terribly constricted. Standing on the sand, she brushed her fingers along the fabric, hands tracing down the sides of her legs. With an eager, if not somewhat ungainly skip, she set out toward the white bluffs which stretched above the beach - and the red-roofed buildings which piled atop them.

In the city’s streets, Naia was treated to a series of friendly nods. She’d visited the city a handful of times over the past year, and it seemed that at least a few of the residents recognized her. The thought warmed her, and Naia made the rest of the journey to the tea shop with a delighted spring in her admittedly, still wobbly steps.

She was jittery with an energy which was both excited and nervous, for she had made a friend. A human friend. Her friend’s name was Saoirse, and Naia had met her after unknowingly venturing into town on a market day. Saoirse was selling bracelets made of pretty ocean polished stones, and though Naia had no money at the time, she’d stopped to admire the jewelry all the same. Touched by Naia’s admiration of her work, Saoirse slipped a bracelet over Naia’s hand, and the only payment she asked for was to meet for tea a month from that day.

And now, a month later, Naia stood at the tea shop entrance, stone bracelet cool against her wrist.

Saoirse sat at a round wooden table in a tucked-away corner, beneath a window trimmed in emerald curtains. Her pale hands were folded together atop the table, and chestnut brown hair, cropped short, curled about her ears. She had a narrow face, a strong, high bridged nose, and large dark eyes. As soon as Naia stepped into the shop, wooden floorboards creaking beneath her, those large eyes flickered up. Instantly, Saoirse was smiling, the kind which filled her face, dimpling her cheeks.

When Naia sat, it took her a moment to figure out how to fold her legs comfortably between the chair and table. Fortunately, Saoirse seemed not to notice, and when Saoirse reached across the table, squeezing Naia’s hands, Naia squeezed back. She was determined to avoid scaring her new friend away with the truth - that it was a mermaid who’d joined her for tea.

“It’s good to see you, friend,” Saoirse said, smiling brightly.

“And you,” Naia replied.

“I hope you don’t mind - I ordered tea for us both.”

“I don’t mind.”

Saoirse’s smile widened, and up close, Naia noticed that the teeth at the corners of her mouth looked surprisingly sharp. If humans hunted for fish in the sea like merfolk, Saoirse’s sharp teeth would be particularly useful, Naia thought - before forcing it out of her mind. She was meant to be making human conversation, not discussing the best methods for catching fish in one’s mouth.

Naia cleared her throat. She’d practiced this. Granted, the practice had been with a particularly talkative gannet. But practice was still practice, and Naia was determined to make a good, very human, impression.

“So,” Naia said, folding her hands in a mimicry of Saoirse’s posture. “Is selling jewelry your means of collecting coins?”

Saoirse’s chin dipped in a hurried nod. “Oh yes. I collect many beautiful coins from my jewelry sales.”

“Wow,” Naia said, a little breathlessly, as she imagined what it would be like to hold so many pretty, gleaming coins in her hands.

“What of you?” Saoirse asked.

“Oh, I-” Naia stammered. “I - um, find my coins. In the sand.” There really was no way to explain that she collected the stray coins which dropped like fallen stars to the sea floor.

“The sand,” Saoirse breathed, black eyes growing wide. “How marvelous.”

Naia grinned, pleased that her answer had been satisfactory. Breathing easier, she relaxed back into her chair.

A young man delivered their tea. He carried a teapot and two earthen mugs. As he bent over the table, nimble fingers deposited the teapot and then the two mugs before them. He had long black hair that fell over his shoulder in a long braid and eyes as bright as a kelp forest in shallow water. Dipping his head, he said, “Please enjoy,” before hurrying away.

Naia stared for a moment at the pot in silent consideration, and when she looked up, saw Saoirse doing the same. However, when Saoirse saw Naia looking, she straightened up, grabbing for the teapot. Pulling it in front of her, she plucked the lid from the top and peered down at the liquid inside. Her nostrils flared as she eyed it critically.

“Is it...okay?”

Saoirse paused before nodding. “Yes. You’ve got to check beforehand to be sure, though.”

Naia nodded as if this made perfect sense. In truth, she knew little of tea, and had yet to consume any in her visits to land.

Wordlessly, Saoirse plucked a spoon from a tray at the table and set about scooping sodden leaves into each of the mugs. Tilting her head, Naia watched the process, utterly fascinated. She had always assumed tea referred to the liquid - but clearly it was meant to describe these leaves once they were soaked in water.

When Saoirse slid her a mug, Naia grabbed a spoon of her own. Before eating however, Naia paused. She recalled a ritual she’d observed humans practicing at meals. Meeting Saoirse’s eyes, she dipped her head down and said, “I pray to you my thanks for this meal.”

Saoirse blinked, and then she was nodding. Dipping her head, she repeated Naia’s words, “I pray to you my thanks for this meal.”

And then, lifting their spoons, they scooped the wet leaves into their mouths.

The taste was...bitter. But no more bitter than a bite of an urchin not yet matured. Naia turned the leaf over in her mouth before grinding it between her teeth and swallowing.

“A delicacy,” Naia said, licking her lips.

“Yes,” Saoirse replied, poking at the other leaves in her cup.

Naia watched as she spooned another glob of leaves into her mouth. As she leaned forward over the cup, Naia noticed, for the first time, the thick pelt that wrapped around her shoulders. It was odd. The pelt was dark - almost oily in appearance, and it certainly should have been one of the first things she noticed - but until now, Naia’s eyes had slid right over it. It was pretty, she reflected, admiring the sheen.

“I like your shawl.”

When Saoirse stiffened, Naia froze, wracking her brain to determine the human social norm she had violated. Perhaps Saoirse thought she wanted it? Because that was what had happened with the bracelet, wasn’t it? But it was one thing to give away a trinket and quite another to give away the pelt which kept you warm.

“I do not want it,” Naia hurried to explain. “Your bracelet was gift enough for me.”

Saoirse’s tight expression relaxed, and she lifted a hand, running her fingers along the pelt. “It is special to me.”

“It is lovely.”

“Thank you,” the corners of Saoirse’s eyes crinkled with her smile.

When the waiter returned, he glanced a little oddly at the teapot and mugs. When he asked them if the tea was satisfactory, both women assured him it was. Before returning to the back, he turned a dark, contemplative look upon them both.

Both Naia and Saoirse watched him go.

“Perhaps I should have given him shinier coins,” Saoirse mused in a thoughtful whisper.

Naia swallowed, nodding, for that must have been what offended him. “We humans love our shiny things.”

“That we do,” Saoirse agreed, and promptly dug a gleaming coin from the pouch at her waist. Holding it triumphantly up, she set it on the table with a click. “I’m sure this will please him.”

“If it doesn’t, he’s a fool,” Naia said a little haughtily. “It’s very shiny.”

Both women gazed a little wistfully at the coin.

“So,” Saoirse said at last. “Tell me more about yourself. What do you like to do?”

Naia didn’t hesitate with this answer. It was one she had prepared. “I walk. Everywhere. All of the time. Walking. It burns my muscles most pleasantly.”

“Walking is wonderful, isn’t it?” Saoirse agreed, an excited flush crossing her pale cheeks. “Not always convenient. But it’s always an adventure.”

Naia nodded in eager agreement. She was overjoyed to have so much in common with this human.

“Perhaps we can walk after our tea,” Naia ventured. “Where the cliffs overlook the sea.”

Before Saoirse could answer, the waiter returned. His hands slammed the table, and Naia and Saoirse both jumped in their seats as the teapot and cups rattled on the shaking wood. Saoirse’s lips curled back, and her white teeth gleamed. From Naia’s mouth, there escaped a hiss.

Gone was the waiter��s easy cordiality. His fine-boned cheeks were pale, and those green eyes were sharp as the broken glass which collected beneath the shipyard waters. His elegant fingers curled around the edges of the table as he glared.

“I know,” he said, and his voice was trembling. Whether with rage or fear, Naia couldn’t be sure.

Naia’s heart was a rock in her chest. Mouth dry, she could only stare as her toes curled helplessly in her boots.

It was Saoirse who spoke. “Know what?” she snapped.

“You can stop hiding. I know what you are.”

Naia heaved a shuddering breath. Swallowing, she looked across the table. Saoirse, her gaze filled with inexplicable terror, stared back.

“I don’t understand why you fae hunters won’t just leave me alone.” The waiter’s voice hitched, and he sounded near to tears.

Naia’s head whipped around so fast that her neck gave a twinge. “What?”

At once, the waiter's rage fled, melting instead into an exhausted sort of grief. Green eyes welling with bright, inhuman tears, he bitterly shook his head. “I saw that you refused the tea. Not a drop of it was drunk! It’s a myth you know. I can’t bespell folk with just any food or drink.”

“Oh,” Naia said, drawing a wondering breath. “You’re meant to drink it.”

“Yes of course you drink-” the waiter’s mouth snapped closed. “Wait what?”

“What?” Saoirse exclaimed, looking at Naia.

“Wait...” Naia said looking back at Saoirse, taking in her dark eyes and the pelt around her shoulders.

“What?!” the waiter said, throwing his hands up as he looked between them.

“You’re not human,” Naia and Saoirse said in unison.

For a long moment, all three were silent.

And then Saoirse was laughing, and it was a sharp, barking sound.

Naia pressed a hand over her mouth as she looked at Saoirse. “You’re a selkie,” she said between her fingers.

“Well of course I am. And you’re merfolk,” Saoirse said, shaking her head. “I can’t believe I didn’t see it.”

“Yes well you’re both responsible for the couple hundred years that stress probably took from my life,” the waiter said, tossing his braid over his shoulder and crossing his arms against his chest.

“Is leaf water good?” Naia asked, looking at him doubtfully.

“Of course it is,” the waiter said with a sigh and pulled up a chair. “Here, let me pour it.”

Steam rose from the mugs, and Naia watched as it softened Saoirse’s sharp features. “I thought you were my first human friend,” Naia admitted.

Saoirse bit her lip, and Naia again glimpsed those sharp teeth. “Maybe instead I’ll be your first Selkie friend?”

Wrapping her fingers around the hot mug, Naia smiled. “I think I’d like that.”

“And we can still take that walk. I do so like moving these legs,” Saoirse said. Gaze sliding to her right, she studied the waiter. “Would you like to join us, faerie?”

“It’s Adam,” he said with a sniff. “And yes, alright.”

“I’ll give you a bracelet to make up for scaring you,” Saoirse said.

“And I will not eat you should you slip and fall into my waters,” Naia generously offered.

“...thanks.”

Naia grinned. “You’re welcome.”

Tea was good, as it turned out. And once the teapot was empty, the mermaid, selkie, and faerie left the shop to walk together.

If any should have turned their gaze toward the ocean that day, they would have observed three windswept silhouettes trailing along the pale bluffs. And should the watcher have persisted in watching, they would have seen the figures’ outlines shifting, becoming something beautiful and other when faced with the vast blue of sky and sea.

[grandpadaruk]

Rito Headcanons

Rito live longer than Hylians, and can well pass the age of 100. (based this off of parrots living in captivity, and then converting it to human equivalent age)

THEY DO NOT HAVE FEATHER HANDS. The wrist connects to a small, two digit hand aligning with a regular bird’s thumb (Digit 1 or the Pollex). The last two digits of the hand, where a humans index and pinkie would be, is acting as phalanges 2 and 3.

A tradition amongst Rito warriors is to build and fashion their own bow, to better suit their needs as a hunter and protector. When they pass, the bow is used as an heirloom for their families. Given to the eldest, they craft it to their own needs, but keep the distinction of their past users (colors, shapes, carvings, etc)

Revali’s body was not recovered, and with no family to pass his bow to. Instead the Rito made a shrine, the great eagle bow rested on a stand, lit with candles. A memorial to their champion, and to the ones lost in the Calamity. It’s stationed at the back of the Flight Range.

Their roosts are the same as in BoTW but with tarps of cured animal hides secured between the outer framework to keep heat in and protect against the harsh winds 

The Rito aren’t native to Hyrule, they lived on an island long before the Battle of Calamity, inhabited by their guardian spirit Valoo, with the great flooding they were forced to migrate to Hyrule

Teenage Rito made a pilgrimage to the original island for a blessing or wisdom from Valoo as a passage to adulthood

Ever since the Great Calamity, the tradition has been discontinued

Valoo granted the Rito larger forms and the ability to fly, before they moreso resembled Ooccoo (but less creepy)

Hyrulian Rito appear different than Island Rito. The Rito we are familiar with with broad, wide passive soaring wings (Eagles, vultures, storks, hawks, etc)

While Island Rito have active soaring wings (Albatrosses, gulls, gannets, etc)

However there are exceptions, Revali’s wings are high-speed wings, like a peregrine falcons. His family having lived and adapted higher in the Hebra mountains.

Kass, with closer similarities to parrots and birds of paradise. Lived in Faron, (Damel Forest, and Bronas Forest maybe?) but since the Calamity their populations have reduced due to monster activity.

Some flew back to Rito Island, others (like Kass) have made home with the Rito in Tabantha.

[elysianslove]

i'm so tempted to write for genshin now but like,,, i'm too lazy to keep up with the entire lore?? not to mention the characters’ individual storylines smh

ANYWAYS here’s the thing from my notes since 2 years ago,,, i’ll tell u abt her more on a seperate post because this is really, really long.

Breath of the Bird;

1. The Swallow: Acute Trajectory — The swordsman is able to make very sharp turns while moving forward at high velocity by swinging their scythe in the same direction where their feet moves. This technique can be used to decapitate a bunch of demons placed close to one another, and solves the problem if they are placed randomly.

2. The Falcon: Mirrored Air Missile — The swordsman jumps from the ground to a nearby vertical surface with extra force, skillfully pivoting their body to make sure its their feet that comes into contact first, then launches themselves back to behead the enemy. The positioning of the arms and legs while doing so should be tight at the sides to minimize drag, only moving right at the moment before attacking. The power and speed of the attack increases the more the swordsman bounces off as they build up momentum.

3. The Albatross: Sky Guillotine — The swordsman swings their scythe in an horizontal arc with the weapon as far from the body as possible for optimum range. The force of the slice also generates a gust of wind able to cut through most things with a similar shape which fans out throughout the area.

4. The Woodpecker: Advancing Lance — Multiple straightforward piercing thrusts.

5. The Pigeon: Sensory Overload — Used to greatly enhance the user's hearing, so much that they can hear sounds below the normal human frequency.

5. The Swallow: Ring of Saturn — The swordsman leaps over the enemy—using the help of their scythe if they're particularly tall, then unleashes a perfectly circular horizontal or diagonal slice midair.

6. The Gannet: Dropping Dead — A concentrated vertical slash. As the user’s height increases, so does the damage.

7. The Owl: Prowler's Glide — The swordsman moves as if they're stepping on piles of feathers; while this attack lacks in speed, it completely silences any noise the user makes.

8. The Hummingbird: Blades of a Thousand Feathers — The fastest form, the user moves erratically, creating illusions of feathers and themselves in order to throw off the enemy, delivering a flurry of attacks at the same time by rapidly twirling their scythe with a pace similar to the beating of a hummingbird's wings.

[nzhejejzjsb this is so lame why am i like this 🤧]

— 💤 anon

STOP I JUST SAW THIS THIS IS SO MFING COOL ????????? HOW THE FUCK ARE YOU SO CREATIVE THAT’S HSKJFCHSK KNOCK ON WOOD KNOCK ON WOOD

i stg u can’t convince me that’s not a legit character in kny i wanna see all of these animated 

[fistsoflightning]

23: i wanna know what you’re doing tonight

prompt: shuffle || masterpost || other fills || ao3 mirror

word count: 2796

Does writing music based on things your friend said count as flirting?

It’s AU brainworm time everybody >:3 This “main street” AU is basically balefire/mom squad’s ‘what if we made a bunch of small town romance ideas and mashed them together’ which turns out to be a lot more hilarious than it should be. Featuring (chat) cameos from @windupcatgirl @to-the-voiceless @windupnamazu @verbroil and @winduphaurchefant because why not. Title from this song!

For all intents and purposes, Zaya enjoys autumn; summer heat cooling off into a pleasant chill, the sunlight that lingers enough to keep warm in the early weeks. The trees may die, but in doing so they grow colorful, and though the flowers in A’dewah’s little shop don’t do the same he changes which ones are on display to match better with the tree outside. It does mean Krile—and more recently, one G’raha Tia—have to return to Mor Dhona, their studies resuming, but it’s not like they can’t chat.

It does, however, mean the return of autumn showers—and they don’t even hate rain that much—and fortunately Zaya managed to forget their poncho just as the first big storm pulled in. Mor Dhona wasn’t that far of a drive away, really, just two or three hours on a road Zaya had taken enough times before, but in the middle of a rainstorm? Without a rainproof coat?

Well, at least Miss Eldfalk’s documents are staying dry in the carrier at Zaya’s back, even if the chill of the rain has already soaked through the wool of their jacket and started to dampen their shirt by the time they pull into the parking garage just a block or so away from the museum waiting on Sjanna’s delivery. Thankfully the inn is just an elevator away and not on the other side of the road; they should keep a spare poncho or umbrella in the motorcycle luggage next time.

Zaya pushes the thought aside as they slip off their helmet and the phone in their pocket begins to buzz about, safely tucked within the canvas pocket of their overalls and hopefully not just as soaked as their hands are. Wiping their palms and fingers on the inside of their legs, they unzip the soggy jacket and tug out the borrowed phone to see the numerous Linkcord notifications—of course.

Leaning onto the front of their motorcycle, Zaya hardly takes a second glance up to the storm just out the window behind them as a few taps and a swipe unlocks the screen, opening up to the Linkcord discussion of the day (night? Night.)

[ text channel #mom-panic; 9:47 PM ]

banned for baby crimes zayaaaaaa i miss you Hanami Hagane You are just saying that because you have no one to drag around the fair. Hanami Hagane Besides, they will be back tomorrow afternoon. banned for baby crimes no i’m not!! that’s too long!! i brought ihget but he’s being stupid and wont ride the ferris wheel with me :’) banned for baby crimes i cant find lunya and reese either so now im stuck with himbo here local breadhead we’re just by the cotton candy stand! lunya’s waving at you ;) banned for baby crimes OH THERE YOU ARE HOW DID I MISS YOU        hold on i gotta grab the chad first local breadhead 😊 banned for baby crimes but i really miss zaya even if they’re just over in mor dhona.. so does ochir he- i- banned for baby crimes has anyone seen ochir ihget lost him in the crowd- this says zaya 😱 reese is in pieces :O( YOU WHAT?? local breadhead oh dear lmao reese is in pieces :O( i hope no one tries to take him :( reese is in pieces :O( lunya says if your stupid catboy loses zaya’s bird shes not going to make you two the mini versions of zaya’s courier hat banned for baby crimes IT SNTO MY FAULT ZAYA JR HERE WAS BEIGNB ROODY ADN LOOKED AWAY         NOOOOOOO,,, Hanami Hagane Why bring the bird with you, anyways. Zaya lent you Ochir’s cage. banned for baby crimes he made sad noises when ihget n i were abt to leave,,,,

The chat quickly devolves from there into Sati panicking about Zaya’s violet-backed starling going rogue and everyone else jumping in and hells, they are not in the mood to manage that. Drops of water fall from their chin onto the screen; they hastily wipe it away before shoving the phone back into their pocket and hop off their motorcycle. A few quick movements with the key round their wrist opens up the luggage attachment with the satchel of papers inside—blessedly dry, thank the gods they splurged on a decent one instead—which they swing over their shoulder as they start walking to the elevator.

A dripping trail has probably followed them all the way from the parking garage to the lobby, they think in passing as they stop at the front desk, waiting for the receptionist to turn around. Their hand goes to fiddle with the small keychain on their keyring as they wait, still dripping their own personal puddle around them.

“Hello, hello! Welcome to the Seventh Heaven, how may I—” Tataru turns around, small smile widening into a sunny bright grin when she sees them, even if they’re dripping all over the lobby. “Zaya! Good to see you back again; need a room for the night, then?”

A curt nod (that sends water droplets onto the surface of Tataru’s desk) is all she needs to hop off her stepping stool and onto the ground, waving Zaya along before she cheerily marches down the halls with a keyring jingling in her hand. Not even the gloomy rainstorm thundering outside can put a damper on her mood, it seems.

“Payment for the night’s stay may be given in the form of Gannet Bay gossip, alright?” Tataru unlocks the door to a nicely decorated room with a quick turn of her hand, playfully winking over her shoulder as she does. Her violet eyes glimmer almost the same as Lunya’s, really; filled with teasing joy and secrets. “I’ve heard from the grapevine about a certain catboy quite enjoying the atmosphere out there, now!”

She steps aside as the door swings fully open, giving a little curtsy, and Zaya gives her an energetic thumbs-up as they walk past her into the room, pleasantly warm and bright from the small fireplace in the corner of the room, banked low so its amber glow only flickers across the floor.

First things first: getting out of all the soggy clothing they’re wearing.

They hang their satchel (papers still neatly bound inside, good) on the wall hook by the door and haphazardly strip off their shoes and socks, followed by the once-warm and fluffy jacket as they look about for spare hangers.

Ah; Tataru always has their back. Hanging on the end of the bed are a set of four or so hangers, which Zaya snaps up with ease, carefully slipping the wooden hangers through sleeves and loops as they finally get to their undershirt—blissfully dry, if not a bit cold. Their overalls aren’t all that damp on the top but are more than soaked the further down the legs one looks… hopefully that dries quick enough.

Just as they finish kicking their ankle-high boots to the mat by the door, a quiet yet unfamiliar chime fills the room, and Zaya nearly thinks to check outside the door for the noise when the light vibrations trickle up their arm. The soft ringtone—someone humming along to a muffled orchestra, maybe; not the smartest of choices for a calling ringtone—grows louder as Zaya stares down at their collection of soggy clothing.

...Alright, second: answer the damn phone?

Zaya nearly fumbles all the hangers to grab their phone from the pockets of their overalls and accept the call, only briefly reading the name from the screen before his face pops up in its place. White hair and a charming grin, perhaps—that is, to anyone who hadn’t heard the words that fall from his mouth like gentle rain.

(Okay, well, maybe that just helped. Zaya wasn’t going to say that out loud to anybody regardless; it didn’t matter what they thought of Thancred’s charms. Probably.)

“...I’d say ‘good evening’ but I wager you are having anything but just by the water dripping off your hair,” Thancred says in lieu of greeting, his voice warm and surrounded by the distant sounds of the usual fall fair attractions. “So instead, I’ll say this; is that old phone serving you well enough?”

Zaya nods; given, this one’s a bit clunky, but the lightness of their actual tomephone may have indirectly been the reason that they’d dropped it while helping out around town and eventually cracked the screen. At least Thancred had offered to lend them his old one for the trip to Mor Dhona in case, just on the off chance someone truly needed their attention, like for lost birds and ways to punish a distracted idiot.

They set it on the table, the front camera facing towards the window as Zaya steps into frame, still fiddling with the hangers in their hands. Mor Dhona may be covered in a gloomy storm, but the golden lights from the buildings around Revenant’s Toll Square still glow brightly in the distance, a refuge from the biting torrent of cold rain.

“Survived the water,” they sign slowly, stepping closer to the fireplace in a subtle attempt to dry off a bit quicker, almost fumbling when their fingers stiffen, chilled to the bone. Thancred laughs, the bridge of his nose crinkling just a tad like how it does when he can’t stop cracking himself up. “Still has power, too.”

“Glad to see it has survived, then.” There’s a slight pause where Thancred stops talking (and laughing) to catch his breath, the small silence filled with Zaya leaving frame to go hang their soaked clothes over the fireplace to hopefully dry for tomorrow. When they come back to look at the camera, a kaleidoscope of colorful lights dance across Thancred’s face, some colorfully lit attraction before him leaving his platinum blonde hair awash with a rainbow of color. “The storm there should burn off by early dawn, though; hopefully you will not have to drag yourself home dripping wet from your business in Mor Dhona.”

Ah, good. They yawn as discreetly as someone who’s on a video call can—which is to say, not very, and a rosy flush must spread on their face when Thancred chuckles under his breath, low and steady. 

“Forgive me,” he says next, voice lowered as if he were disturbing someone’s rest. “I must be keeping you from collapsing; I can’t imagine a drive in the freezing rain and getting soaked is the least draining way to spend one’s night.”

In-between stretching out the tense muscles in their back and neck do they grunt some noise of agreement, the strain flaring momentarily before melting into a drowsy warmth that drips down the ridges of their spine. Really, spending time in Mor Dhona at all is a draining waste of time—when you make your home in somewhere as vibrantly quiet as Gannet Bay it’s hard to want the big city over the comforts of familiarity, of knowing each shop and its owners personally, of being able to help them all and see their smiles.

At least they can see one person from home, now.

“ ‘S fine,” they mumble softly, heart stuttering when Thancred’s smile widens at the sound of their voice. Part of them wishes they were there to playfully elbow him for that—it’s not that rare tha they’ll speak—and the other part of them they are desperately trying to ignore. “How’s th’ fair.”

“Wonderful.” He looks up for a moment as Zaya wraps themselves in the bed coverings, presumably to whatever booth or stall is shining down on his face with fluorescent lights. “Ryne’s had a wonderful time, I think. I haven’t seen your friends around, but would you like to hear about the odd variety of attractions around?”

Zaya hums sleepily, waiting for him to continue. They hardly even notices when their eyelids grow heavy and their fingers return to their usual warmth, entranced enough by the fond familiarity of Thancred’s voice as they drift off to sleep.

…

The next morning, Zaya wakes with the dawn that rises across Mor Dhona, the bright golden sunrise sneaking through the cracks of the large curtains to tickle their bedsheets. The cityscape outside the window is covered by low autumn morning fog, glimmering as the sunlight dances over it and the puddles the passing storm had left behind in its wake. Outside, it is nearly silent, only a few passing cars and hardly any pedestrians around when Zaya does their morning stretches by the window.

As is always with a trip into the city, they fall into an easy routine; wake with the sun, stretch out whatever they can without breaking something, get dressed and hastily grab everything before rushing out the door, wave Tataru a rushed but genuine goodbye. Trot down to the parking garage, check the bike, throw the satchel back into the luggage on the back as they slip on their stereo cuffs and flick through playlists on their phone before going to get breakfast at the Bismarck—

Zaya pauses their flick-tap scroll through the playlists on their phone when they catch one with their name. Odd; Thancred did always have the habit of making his friends their own personal playlists, but they’d like to think they didn’t give him that much of a read on their tastes just yet.

Shrugging to no one but themselves, they tap on the playlist and let it begin to play as they slide the phone back into their overall pocket, starting up their motorcycle’s engine just as the song begins to play.

They stop. 

[ DM history with @superbolide; 7:36 AM]

zayaya ❓ zayaya 🌅😊❗🎵🎧💿❓❓ superbolide good morning to you too :) you’re up rather early superbolide something the matter? superbolide ah          i haven’t got another song for you yet, if that’s the question   rest assured, i’ll find something yet! zayaya 🙅

It hardly takes them more than a few seconds to grab a small screenshot of the playlist in question, sending it and another screenshot back to Thancred as they quietly listen to the same song Rjoli and Reese had playing near constantly for last Valentione’s Day in the bakery—still manages to be catchy, somehow. Let it not be said that acoustic covers were not their favorite.

The notification ringtone chimes when Thancred responds, cheery and bright.

Zaya goes a bit bug-eyed at what he types next, the song fading off as the next one on shuffle comes up—piano, humming, Thancred’s voice—

Thankfully, for it being so early in the morning, there’s no one around in the parking garage to judge the frankly embarrassing noise they make at their phone, or the bright flush that spreads across their face.

It isn’t like that, they remember saying, sputtering like a fish out of water when Lunya had barely insinuated that Thancred’s small wave as he walked past was a bit more than friendly. There’s no way he’d be interested in the courier that helped him choose out a ribbon at the local boutique, of all people! He doesn’t even know where I work!

Zaya drops their forehead onto the dash of their motorcycle, careful not to hit their horns against anything as they do.

Looks like they were wrong, about it ‘not being like that’. Maybe.

(Oh gods, they really hope they’re wrong.)

…

[ text channel #mom-panic; 8:03 AM]

💬 this says zaya is typing...

this says zaya😑 this says zaya💭🌑💘 🤟 ❓ banned for baby crimes DOES HTAT MEAN WHAT I THINK IT DOES closest to hell zaya qestir i swear on your lover boy’s life clarify for the peanut gallery local breadhead :0 reese is in pieces :O( i think            hm reese is in pieces :O( zaya did thancred just confess or did somethign else happen this says zaya [ superbolide: oh haha i must have forgotten to upload those to my lifestream] this says zaya [ superbolide: there are some songs i did save, but all the clips there were lyrics i thought of after chatting w/ you 😉] this says zaya [ superbolide: i could make an EP dedicated to you w/ the inspo you gave me] this says zaya [ superbolide: that is, if you don’t mind] Hanami Hagane I told you he was obvious. closest to hell SATINA YOU OWE ME GUMMIES FROM SHOOTING STAR I CALLED IT closest to hell IT WAS OBVIOUS THE MUSIC HES MAKING WAS BC OF THEM local breadhead oh bless… that’s v sweet… banned for baby crimes HBHBHHB NOOO MY HARD EARNED GIL,,, banned for baby crimes BUT WE ALL WERE RIGHT ABOUT HIM THO reese is in pieces :O( awwwauaua!! banned for baby crimes so banned for baby crimes zaya banned for baby crimes when’s the wedding this says zaya 😡😡😡 closest to hell me🤝sati “when’s the wedding” this says zaya 👆💀🏡 Hanami Hagane You two better start running. banned for baby crimes WAIT ZAYA NO-

[reasonsforhope]

"There’s something deeply comical about suggesting that seagulls are smart enough to wait for you to look away before stealing your french fries, but dumb enough to fly into wind turbine blades.

A two-year study on the interactions of several seabird species at an offshore wind farm found that not a single case of birdstrike was recorded over the study period or in the 10,000 videos taken.

Looking at herring gulls, gannets, kittiwakes, and great black-backed gulls, Swedish state wind company Vattenfall found that most of the birds maintained a 50 to 230-yard distance between themselves and the radius of the spinning turbines.

“This is the first time that any kind of bird species has been studied this closely and in detail at an offshore wind farm,” said study author Henrik Skov. “And these birds are really good at avoiding the turbines. Now we need studies on more varieties.”

The study was conducted on a wind farm consisting of 11 offshore turbines near Aberdeen, Scotland. It used radar surveys and mounted video cameras to gather data.

Why these seabirds avoided the turbines could be down to the individual species observed since other studies have shown seabirds tend to rank high in offshore wind turbine mortality, and of medium risk for land-based wind turbine mortality.

Skov also offered that it could be the turbines are, for one reason or another, outside of prominent flight corridors, and therefore aren’t where birds have historically flown either for migration and nesting purposes, or feeding.

The study is a big milestone in scientists’ attempts to learn how and where to build wind turbines so that they don’t interfere with birds’ flight patterns. If there is something in the data of this study or future observations that could reveal the secret as to why there was no mortality at the Aberdeen wind farm, it could mean that hundreds of thousands of birds could be saved in the future."

-Good News Network, 3/31/23

[ginasneesby]

September - Viv and Andy part 1

2 years late but in enforced lockdown seems the best time to complete these blogs if I am able to remember to any degree what I actually did.

My first visitors were my sister Viv and her husband Andy, they had planned to come to me for 10 days, sandwiched between short trips to see friends in Australia; meaning I didn’t get the jet lag portion or the sad our trip is almost over portion! Viv had also done a lot of research and even booking in advance so most of the activities were sorted and paid for. This made it easier for me having only been nursing since coming back in July and then having taken more trips than I should have done really given how much money I had saved, spreading the cost meant we could all do everything and any extra costs were paid for with those weeks’ wages!

Their flight got in around 4pm on Thursday 6th, the day after I got back from Queenstown and a few weeks after Rarotonga so sort of felt like I was living at the airport; my carbon footprint this year was pretty shocking. They had booked a posh flat in central Auckland just round the corner from the Sky Tower which I drove directly to, luckily arriving late enough to miss parking restrictions so I could come in and see the place too. Having this flat the whole trip meant they could pack small bags for our planned trips and leave all the rest behind, also there was a gym in the complex which apparently is important ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

It did however mean their self-catering kitchen was empty, so first job was to head to a supermarket to grab some essentials, the next day we hadn’t planned anything out of town so coffee and milk were a must. We decided however to go out for dinner rather than cook so I took them for a short walk down to the Viaduct and Wynyard Quarter to see the harbour bridge, marina and view across to Devonport. We ate burgers or something similar at a bar and had a couple of cheap cocktails making it to well gone 9 o’clock before all the travelling (and I’m sure some jetlag) kicked in and we all headed home.

The next day I left the pair to figure out Auckland transport and met them at the Devonport ferry terminal, from here we took a gentle hike up Mount Victoria behind my flat (also known as the windiest hill in Auckland) with great views of the harbour, bridge and skyline. There is also an old gun turret type thing that was positioned here because it’s near the opening to the Hauraki Gulf and, I guess, the Pacific Ocean. Obviously we had to take the ‘there’s a giant gun between my legs’ photos but the classic NZ weather of blue sky, crazy wind and blazing sun directly in your eyes led to some interesting facial expressions. We had a late start to the day so after a few hours and a quick stop to see my flat, we were ready to head back over to the city and go for a drink. I took them to an Irish bar which I know seems so wrong but actually there isn’t really what you’d call a typical New Zealand pub (unlike the outdoor bars in Europe) so any pub was good; this one I knew did some classic NZ beers which was good enough for a local feel. We didn’t stay long as we were booked in for a full itinerary of activities on the Saturday but it was nice to end our first full day with a couple of beers, that’s what holidays are all about isn’t it.

Saturday saw an early start to catch the ferry to Waiheke Island, we tried to stay outside on the boat initially but all that wind that’s blow on Mount Victoria, also blows through the Hauraki Gulf and across the bow of the ship, so it was a bit too chilly to remain for the whole journey. There were lots of people on the boat, including a whole host of local primary/middle school football teams who were heading to Waiheke for a tournament; there was a lot of excitement so must have been a big deal! On arrival we were picked up with only about 6 others to head to the Ecozip HQ for the first of our ‘zip, wine and dine’ plans. The sun was blazing as we started out safety briefing for the 3 large zip lines we were about to throw ourselves down, all of which flew over a working vineyard and beautiful patch of NZ bush which we would then walk back through after getting to the bottom. The views from the top were amazing; I love the Auckland skyline anyway but seeing it across the water with the sun shining added an extra splash of magic; always makes a special holiday activity particularly memorable. The zip lines were set up in 2 so Viv and Andy went down together, of course trying to race each other, how else do you zip line, I went down by myself which meant I could 1) take in my surroundings and 2) film the others trying to beat each other. Not sure there’s anything you could actually do to increase your speed but I know they were trying. Each zip faced in a slightly different direction and was positioned high above the bush so each journey down was a new view; I highly recommend doing it as it was great fun. Once we got to the bottom, we were able to loosen our harnesses for the return climb, the guides walked us back up through the bush, pointing out the native plants, trees and animals which the company is helping to preserve and restore.

We were taken back to the ferry port to continue our day which for us meant being picked up by a different coach and taken to the first of 4 wine stops, Stonyridge Vineyard. We had a brief tour of the vines and the cork trees that they grew on site plus a taster of 3 different wines which we were then able to buy a large discounted glass of to have with lunch. Our tables were set up outside on a deck near the cork and olive trees and overlooking rolling green hills, if there’s a better spot to start an afternoon of drinking I haven’t found it. Also a good shout to sell a large glass for cheap at the start, as I found out on a later trip without this option, the tasters as not enough to keep you going for the whole afternoon (and I’m really against paying $15 for a small glass.) The next stop was Rangihoua estate in the centre of the island for some olive oil tasting and some different wine. By this point in typical Auckland fashion the sun had come out in force and wearing jumper, jeggings and boots I was overheating a bit but also determined to catch some sun following a long grey winter. Casita Miro was an amazing vineyard up in the hills towards the north coast of the island, ran by a family with decoration inspired by the Park Guell in Barcelona and Gaudi’s style of mosaic. The vines also grew on a pretty vertical hill, the dad (who was also a Dr) clearly put all his time and effort into the place and it really showed; what free time he could possibly have i don’t know. They gave us a tasting of 5 different wines, red/white and rose, each with a small complimentary snack balanced on a plate on top of the glass; some bruschetta, some cheese and some fruit, classy. Our last spot was Mudbrick Vineyard, with views back towards the city and Rangitoto island across the glittering green water of the Gulf, their vines went up the hill behind the vineyard which must have been near the highest point of the island? The whole place was obviously well established as a venue and even had extra buildings for wedding parties to use a bridal suites etc. We were able to buy more wine and stay longer if we wanted as our return ticket was valid until the last ferry, probably around 9pm. But we decided to head back with the coach and catch the planned ferry, totally in the mood to jump into another bar around the terminal and continue drinking. But in usual fashion the 40 minute ferry journey zapped us of this will and by the time we got back an early start and the best part of a couple of bottles of wine each caught up with us so we decided not to carry on but to crawl into bed probably grabbing something tasty and unhealthy on the way home.

Sunday, after a slow start, we decided to drive up the coast to Muriwai beach where there is a large colony of Gannets living on the rocks, I had been earlier in the year and there were barely any birds there, I guess September being the start of Spring they had all come back to nest. The west shore of Auckland is famous for high winds and crazy waves (they set a whole beach rescue programme at Piha just down the road) so there are some quite dramatic rock formations along the coast. Muriwai has a designated walkway up through the colony and when crowded with birds they literally nest everywhere, right up to the edge of the path so you can get a really close look at them. There was a bit of shagging going up close too which made some of the parents walking around move their brood on swiftly. Down the hill from the birds you can walk along the rock when the tide is out and people come here to fish and look in the rock pools, there’s probably some fresh shellfish being pulled out here and taken straight home for dinner. I had recently discovered a Sunday night market under one of the shopping centres near me which had fresh homemade Asian foods which were all pretty amazing. You could get a pile of dumplings or bao for not many dollars which we did and shared them between us plus some added satay chicken and other deep fried goodies. Not to mention the desserts on offer, ice cream/crepes/waffles all with fruit and chocolate bits and sauces in case the main course wasn’t enough calories. Stomachs filled and plans finalised for our flight the next day, I drove my guests back to their apartment and took myself home to pack for the next adventure down to the south island.

[nvzblgrrl]

☆!!

Oh god, my latest thing in the works - it’s a One Piece fic set in (or at least starting in) West Blue so much world building is happening. It’s fun, but a lot of work in the research department. Right now I’m working on getting a functional description of the first island (well, islands) established, which right now looks like this -

Fin Skellig was a fairly quiet island. It’s hard for it to be much of anything else; it hadn’t seen any proper form of human inhabitation in nearly one hundred years, which was when a minor plague had killed off a good number of the inhabitants, chased off the survivors and a good number of their neighbors from its sister island with the grief of their loss and no small fear that they’d be next, and then continued to ward off any ideas of return with the lingering specter of sickness that had taken over all tales of the place.

That wasn’t to say it was silent or empty, however. There were always the storms that battered the islands, varying between the whisper of drizzle and a steady chill breeze to the sort of tumults that rattled windows and rafters with an intensity that was only tame by the standards of those that had spent their lives surviving the worst weather Grand Line had to offer. And then there were the birds.

Both Fin Skellig and its sister island Ravenser Odd were home to a great number of seafaring birds and a few others that weren’t quite as adventurous but were still fond enough of the place not to bother leaving for sunnier shores. Petrels of many different names and natures, albatrosses, sea faring ravens - for which the island Ravenser Odd might have been named at one point, though the history was long since lost with its original inhabitants -, cormorants, pelicans, pigeons, peregrines, gannets, frigatebirds, skuas, auks, skimmers, starlings, lapwings, and a frankly dazzling variety of swallows and swifts.

There weren’t many other animals to be concerned about - a small colony of goats that had outlasted their human masters, the mice taking advantage of whatever cover they could find to avoid the many flighted predators around them, the odd ship’s cat forgotten by a pirate crew visiting the ramshackle harbor town that had arisen on the far end of Ravenser Odd’s oblong island about sixty years back…

The cats were the worst of the lot, if you asked the birds, but they kept to their own business and town, seeing as that’s where the people, their scraps, and the mice that favored such things tended to congregate.

The cats, for their part, were all too willing to go after far easier prey than the birds or even their eggs - after all, you didn’t have to smash a dead fish open or fight off its furious parents to get to the delicious meaty tenderness inside.

The mice? Well, the mice didn’t think much of any part of the arrangement, especially the fact that they had to suffer both cats and birds without the benefit of a proper human civilization to steal scraps from. Their legends spoke greatly of the culinary treasures they’d lost with the passing of mankind from their cold and rocky island, such as sweet cake and peanut butter.

Well, at least the pirates had cheese and relatively fresh bread, so it wasn’t a complete loss.

- and I’m pretty happy with how it’s going so far, though I haven’t found quite the right place to introduce the first character or describe the geography better. I’m sure it’ll come together soon though - I’m still hammering away at it.

[dansnaturepictures]

4th January 2022-Part 2 of 2: Portland Bill: Merlin, Gannets, Raven and more

Following on from my previous post we then went to Portland Bill where the sky remained looking excellent. It was such a pleasure to be beneath all the intricate and gorgeous patchwork of clouds and sky, with the sun providing much energy to the scene and poking through to shine well so many times too, with nice sun rays and some sparkly lines on the sea it was great to see and use rocks to get into photos of it. I took the first three, fifth and sixth pictures in this photoset of views today and fourth of one of a few nice mushrooms I spotted. 

Early on when looking out from the area around the lighthouse we were thrilled to see some Gannets flying over, getting some smashing views of three or four of them. We have seen them here so many times, seeing our first ever here in 2007 but rarely had we seen them fly by so closely I think. Allowing some intimate moments with these gigantic and iconic seabirds. Some really precious moments as they flew by, and another top year tick I have seen a great few favourite birds of mine so far this year. There were lovely views of a Rock Pipit or two here with one nicely in a puddle as we had seen Starlings do too when here today.

A Raven paraded brilliantly over the area, and when we walked up the hill and did a circuit to see if we could see the Short-eared Owls we saw a couple of Ravens extremely well. One of these gigantic crows we were in aw of as we saw it sit on the ground barking away, it’s feathers caressed by a bright bit of sunlight which was now really well out. I took the seventh and eighth pictures in this photoset of this bird.

As we walked up the hill we had one of our moments of the day. We saw a bird on a stone wall and I was thrilled when we saw it was a Merlin. This is a bird I’d never seen before so it was monumental to see this bird sat on the wall and then flying off, and was so good after waiting five months and twelve days for one in 2021 seeing my first new bird of the year four days in as Portland did it again for new birds at New Year for me seeing our first ever Red-necked Grebe and Black Guillemot on 1st January 2014 and our first ever Black-throated Divers on New Year’s Day 2020 both at the harbour.

This felt even more rewarding as Merlin was becoming another bogey bird of my life. My Mum and her partner had seen them before but I hadn’t and in the last few months with them arriving back here I had a collection of moments where I so nearly saw one or saw something that may have been but couldn’t quite confirm it or we went somewhere and there had been one around but I didn’t see it, including here in October and it just started to intensify. This was a very long term target for me anyway but I was now so determined to see one this year so to see it so soon I am amazed and satisfied with. It completes the set of me seeing the four main falcons in Britain, and whilst I haven’t seen the most bird of prey species so far this year (it only means I have lots to aim for still though), it adds to some top quality raptor moments this year already.

As we completed the circuit and saw the sun lower and the clouds got sweetly red at sunset before darkness fell as the final two pictures in this photoset I took today show, we got some more lovely views of Kestrels including above the cliff right by the beautiful sea and one tucked into the quarry area where the Little Owl frequents at dusk. A nice end to the day with another falcon which this place is so good for. The crescent shaped new moon looked nice and did look lovely when descending down away from Portland with nice views along Chesil beach with all the lights of buildings coming on I tweeted a photo I took of the moon on Dans_Pictures. A great moment to reflect on another day off truly well spent at a beautiful place with amazing wildlife. This felt a key winter day.

Wildlife Sightings Summary: My first ever Merlin, my first of one of my favourite birds the Gannet this year, Herring Gull, Cormorant and possibly Shag again too, Raven, Carrion Crow, Kestrel, Rock Pipit, Stonechat, House Sparrow and Starling. It was nice to see shadows of teasel and hogweed here too. 

The story of the rest of the day can be found here: https://dansnaturepictures.tumblr.com/post/672489170161319936/4th-january-2022-part-1-of-2-portland-harbour

[lindoig4]

28 August - Moncton, here we come!

Great news - for us anyway.  The wind dropped shortly before midnight last night and we awoke this morning to an amazing millpond outside our window.  We are now on the ferry in very comfortable recliners (paid a few bucks for the comfort) on our way to Nova Scotia.  The ferry is quite a lot larger than our expedition ship and much more luxurious.  I reckon it is more than twice the length and at least twice the beam with at least 3 additional passenger deck levels.

We were almost 45 minutes late leaving port and I guess we are making 10 knots at best so it will likely be after 8pm before we reach our hotel tonight and we are back on a bus again at 7.30 tomorrow morning.  The seats we purchased are plush with USB ports (low voltage phones only) and controls for the on-board entertainment (just TV and a movie).  Surprisingly, there is no Wi-Fi. Everyone has Wi-Fi here, almost all the shops, even in private cars, but not on a huge ferry.  Biggest problem for me is that we can’t see out from our chairs - I need to go outside the area we paid for to check if there are any birds en route.  There are actually very few birds.  I saw a few gannets close to Port aux Basques and nothing since.

Getting out of Port aux Basques on that ferry was a lucky break because a tropical cyclone was predicted to hit that night and there was serious doubt if the next ferry or two would run.  The crossing was very smooth with only the very slightest wobble to remind us that we were afloat and moving.  (I am writing this in the top bunk of our cabin on the train from Moncton to Montreal and it is certainly a whole lot wobblier here than on the ferry or almost all the time on the ship too.)

The ferry was 45 minutes late leaving Port aux Basques but still arrived an hour early in North Sydney - but then all the walk-on passengers (like us) had to wait for an hour so they could clear all the vehicular traffic before we were allowed onto the bus to take us to the terminal.  Don’t ask me why!

Our hotel was in Sydney, a $35 cab fare from North Sydney and another one to get back to the very same building to catch the bus next morning.  Didn’t make much sense to me when there were suitable hotels within 5 minutes of the terminal - and even if they were all booked out and we had to stay in Sydney, there was a bus pickup right near our Sydney hotel without us having to return to North Sydney to catch it!

The bus ride was fine, albeit with some hiccups.  It also left late: about 25 minutes and was 55 minutes late by the time we reached Truro where we had to change buses to take us on to Moncton.  The schedule indicated that there was only 30 minutes between our buses in Truro, but there were a lot of passengers connecting with other services there so they held the coaches for us all.  But by then it was pouring rain and they really hustled us from one coach to the other and wouldn’t let us go inside, even to the restrooms or to buy food or drinks.  It was pretty unreasonable and Heather lodged a complaint - so next time we ride on one of their buses, we have a 10% discount!  Big deal!

(This is just a little side-bar.  I was sitting in the very front seat of the bus with the open road straight ahead through the huge windscreen and I got a real buzz thinking about how much I love land travel, particularly when driving myself. When we go bush, even just 50 clicks from home, with or without the caravan (but preferably with), I get a sense of excitement and just want to keep driving to whatever is ahead of me and then to just keep going.  There is a sense of freedom and adventure in looking down the road through the windscreen, a sense of complete control with nobody looking over my shoulder, with boundless mystery and opportunity just over the next crest or around a bend in the road. We can surround ourselves with whatever food and drink and other creature comforts we wish, and we can stop, start or detour, even back-track, for as far and as often and as long as we wish.  We never actually do it unless we are just out for a day’s drive (but even then, the day is an unwanted limitation) or on a caravan odyssey, but the anticipation of ‘what could be’ is exhilarating.)

The promised cyclone probably didn’t amount to much where we were but it certainly brought some torrential rain for a few hours.  We got pretty wet changing buses in Truro and again getting our luggage from the bus to the terminal in Moncton, but by the time our cab delivered us to our hotel, it had almost stopped.

Our hotel was immediately adjacent to the river so I went for a walk and did a little birding: really the first time I had much of a chance on this trip, possibly discounting my brief fruitless excursion in Montreal.  I found a few birds near a huge gushing stormwater outlet turning the rapidly out-flowing tide orange.  I reckon the water level was at least 7 or 8 metres below the high tide mark so concluded that they must have really massive tides here.

Next morning, I went out again and saw hundreds of people lined up with cameras along the river and asked one of them what they were waiting for.  The tidal bore!  Moncton is apparently famous for it and sure enough, a minute or so later, a wall of water came around a bend in the river with two guys surfing the wave front.  The tide comes in through a wide bay and into the much narrower river causing the water to bank up as the huge volume of water surges up the river.  The wavefront was perhaps a metre or so high and was almost continually breaking.  One guy fell off his surfboard, but the other sailed straight past me and eventually disappeared around the next bend.  Apparently, the bore varies in intensity throughout the year, but is fairly predictable and people regularly surf the wave for many kilometres as the tide rushes in from the bay.  It was quite a sight and the surging current continued for a few hours filling the river to its maximum.  And later, after the tide turned, the current was just as strong as the river roared back out to sea again, exposing many metres of mud on the steep riverbanks.

We had walked down to The Keg for dinner the night before: a very crowded and noisy place where we were told the wait for a table was likely up to an hour or more, but we sat in the bar for a drink and they came and took our order and served it to us in the bar so we never actually went into the restaurant proper and had it well before the hour was up. By the time our meal arrived a lot of the crowd had gone elsewhere and it was much quieter.  We both had cod, mine blackened, Heather’s fried, and both were really delish, mine outstandingly so. Cod is one of eastern Canada’s major industries and we enjoyed it very much - a firm white fish and very tasty.

[iampikachuhearmeroar]

nature rant:

okay so my dad goes on a lot about how young people are rabid greenies and how climate change is wrong and fake etc etc.... 

but i can’t stop thinking about how it was his generation (for some teachers when I was in primary school) and then the one after (gen y or x or whatever) that made us read books like tim winton’s blueback or graeme base’s animalia and whale rider by witi ihimaera, .... and in my case, bought those “the great animal search” books, which had beautifully illustrated scenes of kelp forests, the arctic tundra and rainforests; where you’d have to find like 10 kelp otters, 20 clams etc (kelp forests); or two arctic foxes & 44 caribou etc (arctic tundra) .... or 13 howler monkeys and 55 tuber flowers etc (rainforests) and whatever other scenes in the book. here’s a screenshot of the cover of one of them, to jog people’s memories, bc you’ve probably seen them around:

my parents also bought special nature series books about pandas and killer whales. some of these books were actually on the premier’s reading challenge when I was in primary school.

or in regards to class work, one class assignment both my sister (in 2001) and i (in 2004) did when we went through year 3, was to write a letter to the council to plead with them not to build the boating marina in our area bc it would destroy the local ecosystem etc. or I’m pretty sure I had another assignment where we had to write a letter to the council (again) to not build over the local marsh, which brought breeding birds like australasian gannets (i think), ibises, sooty oyster catchers, egrets, albatross and god knows what other birds to our area every year on their journeys to their actual breeding grounds.

but you know what’s happened since those assignments? the marina is going to be finished in september/october this year. building the marina has destroyed part of the nature reserve and beach that particular place was; and so has the development of expanding its adjacent housing estate which now includes waterfront properties going at like $3million each. all so some rich moneybags mcfucks can park their imposing & wanky boats. 

“what of the marsh that your area had?” you ask. it’s been converted into a tiny, shitty and totally useless “wetland” if you could call it that, that only houses seagulls and maybe like one oyster catcher bc it’s right next to the fucking highway. and for what? pointless fucking sports fields THAT. NO. ONE. FUCKING. USES. they lay so unused, in fact, that the council in my area is now trying to get them to be used as camping grounds in sporting off seasons for like 3-4 months of the year. all that $4million or whatever was fucking wasted for corporate sport bullshit. (okay my sheer loathing of sport needs another post lmao.) but y’all how can you not be angry about this?

in general, while growing up, our generation watched countless docos either narrated or hosted by david attenborough (he actually came to the main city of my area once, bc albatross breed there)... and if those programs didn’t make you cry and feel passionate about keeping the environment safe, idk what would. we’ve seen time and time again, the destruction from deforestation in the amazon rainforest and other forests in the world. we’ve had several animals become endangered or extinct in our lifetime. and baby boomers expect us not to bat an eye and to not care? like idk man. australian wildlife like wallabies are being found on major roads. like the story last year of a wallaby being found on the fucking Sydney harbour bridge for example. it was found hopping amongst the traffic bc (a.) it was lost and (b.) there’s so much bloody development in and around sydney that the poor thing has nowhere else to go to try and find suitable bush... that it ends up on a literal 6 lane fuckin highway in the middle of the city.

so yeah. every time my dad rants about the environment and the “millennials” being rabid greenies, this is what I think about.