A large drop of sun lingered on the horizon and then dripped over and was gone, and the sky was brilliant over the spot where it had gone, and a torn cloud, like a bloody rag, hung over the spot of its going. And dusk crept over the sky from the eastern horizon, and darkness [Click photo to view more…]

In the depth of winter, when all seems dead, life teems everywhere.. Lichens have been used as dyes, perfumes and medicines. Squirrels use lichens to line the inside of their nests. Birds use lichens to patch the outside of their nests (feathers where possible are used on the inside) to camouflage them. Parmelia and Physcia [Click photo to view more…]

“The sun seems fascinated to get closer to this paradise landscape, and keeps dropping half inch by half inch in the west. Tenderly he flies to his lover, the Ocean, who twists in delight with his imminent arrival. “Patience, my love,” the Sun whispers in long golden rays. “Soon I am yours.” Author: Edmond Manning

Briar thickets or patches, such as this one on the southern shore, consisting of Rubus and Rosa and wild grasses, contain blackberries and provide seeds and forage for wildlife. Blackberries provide a great source of high-sugar food for nesting mammals and birds, and also provide excellent shelter for birds, small mammals and other thicket-loving wildlife. [Click photo to view more…]

As free as a bug in the evening sun. Bravery or foolishness ?

The Bluebell is a wild member of the hyacinth family, and despite it being widespread in Ireland and Britain it is a globally threatened species. They are also known as Blue Rocket, Cuckoo’s boots and Wild Hyacinth. In the 1800’s Anne Bronte wrote: A fine and subtle spirit dwells In every little flower, Each one [Click photo to view more…]

Cumulonimbus clouds can be up to 10 km high. Here we see three of them lined up together and lit up by the setting sun. Strong winds in the upper atmosphere will flatten the top of the clouds into an anvil-like shape. Cumulonimbus clouds are thunderstorm clouds and can bring heavy rain, snow, hail, lightning, [Click photo to view more…]

One hundred years ago in Easter 1916, Loughrea was a different place, under control of the English King George V. 100 years later Loughrea and the country of Ireland is a different place. Today, Easter Monday 2016, living conditions are much better, leisure activities are easily accessible by all. Here, today, windsurfers take to the [Click photo to view more…]

After the sun and moon, Venus is the brightest object in the sky. Venus is not only bright enough to see by daylight, but it is bright enough to cast a reflection as well – seen here over Lough Rea, on a frosty early January morning.. Emily Bronte the author of Wuthering Heights (1818-1848) wrote [Click photo to view more…]

Plenty of foam on the western shore on a morning in windy, wet and mild early January. Water has a skin like membrane at its surface (surface tension) that allows insects to ‘walk’ on water. When leaves, reeds, small branches  or other organic substances fall into water and decompose (especially in autumn) , they release [Click photo to view more…]