On a crisp cold March night, looking south across the lake the distinctive constellation Orion dominates the sky. Orion, also known in old Irish mythology known as Nuadu of the Silver Hand. Nuada was the first king of the Tuatha Dé Danann – also god of the sea, healing, and warfare, linked to the Roman [Click photo to view more…]

On a cold February morning the gulls are almost tame, as they try to take the food that the locals give to the swans.

The dawn’s cold clear blue winter sky gives way to shades of pink and orange as the sun climbs slowly behind the hills. on one of the shortest days of the year.

“Life. This morning the sun made me adore it. It had, behind the dripping pine trees, the oriental brightness, orange and crimson, of a living being, a rose and an apple, in the physical and ideal fusion of a true and daily paradise.” ― Juan Ramón Jiménez, Time and Space: A Poetic Autobiography

“Autumn is a cunning muse who steals by degrees my warmth and light. So distracted by her glorious painting of colours, I scarcely realise my losses until the last fiery leaf has fallen to the ground and the final pumpkin shrinks. Autumn departs with a cold kiss, leaving me to suffer the frigid grasp of [Click photo to view more…]

This beautiful flower/weed stood out while walking along the shore in late October. In Christian lore, Angelica manifested as a cure for the plague in an Archangel’s dream, becoming for that reason, one of the most important healing herbs. The leaf stalks have traditionally been used as a celery substitute, while the leaves are aromatic and [Click photo to view more…]

Over the weekend, post-tropical cyclone Ophelia hit Ireland, with wind gusts of up to 150 km/hr. Very few tropical cyclones travel this far northeast. Ophelia started out in the North Atlantic as a tropical cyclone that increased in strength as it travelled northeast, briefly becoming a Category 3 hurricane. According to the New York Times [Click photo to view more…]

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