#british nature

[forestnymphingaround]

[heather-rajendran]

Snake's-head fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris) photos I took today 30/03/2024, area around Smeaton, West Yorkshire

[katiajewelbox]

The White Owl by WJ Webb, 1856

[mostlyuk]

North Wales by Catherine

[mikfelt]

[abnormes]

On the Seashore, George Elgar Hicks (1879)

[seasideretreat]

Dynamics of mind

One of my accomplishments that I am somewhat proud of is the fact that I have a system. Over the years, I have slowly elaborated a collection of words that help me make decisions. Sadly, no matter how hard I try, they cannot help me write interesting texts: this is because I don't know how to write. You see, writing is a process of addition. Essays don't arise out of a void, they arise out of a constant process of reflection. We learn a little each day and keep records of this; a bundle of essays may result. But it is not at all about thinking, really. It is just about keeping track of certain things - a capital difference!

However, I do believe in writing. You see, now I do know how to write. I realize now that I don't need to report my thoughts, I just need to record them. However, recording your thoughts goes so much better when you notice them! So I am glad to have a full inner life, although it cost me much happiness. Be that as it may, I think a rich inner life is the most worthwhile thing to invest in that there is.

I used to write in the past, you know, in fact I learned to write as any man does, by keeping a journal. But my inner life was limited to stoicism - surely a rich and fruitful discipline, but very one-dimensional: all one has is the consolation of being rational, and the goal to be at peace. But these days, although stoicism reared its head once again, I am such a more layered and dynamic person. These days I believe in writing, but I also believe in science; I can discern wisdom and substance, cunning, mastery and thinking; and I exercise time and venture myself into the world and learn so much about being reticent rather than tough. These are some dynamics of my mind, but there is much more: watching, animation, calligraphy, being stalward, IT (science), sloth, et cetera. Essayism is on my list as well, but I've kind of made a turn there. I know believe writing essays is merely entering information into a record. And that's how I see this now, now suddenly I can write readable texts, but the thing is that the content is so much better now, because I can contextualize it somehow. It's great. You know, there is such a great difference between an entry and a letter. A letter is passive, an entry is proactive.

There's so much to say, but I don't want to spend too much time writing. You know, I like twitter because it gives me a context for my musings, but I like tumblr as well because it just allows me to spend some time writing. Writing is a good thing to do, it gets the juices flowing, although it really doesn't guarantee a meaningful line of thought. But this is why I consider this essayism. I am really just writing to practice a bit.

I suppose it is a bit like calling your mother every day.

[chloekphotography]

Fraser Canyon, BC, Canada.

IG: @_chloekphotography_

[eggxodia]

[forestnymphingaround]

early November night walk

[heather-rajendran]

Barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) photos I took today 10/07/2024, Pembrokeshire, UK

[katiajewelbox]

In the winter in southern England, evergreen trees like the Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) stand out. Ancient people saw the pine tree as a symbol of eternal life, which gave rise to our modern custom of Christmas trees.

The Scots Pine is the only native pine species in the British Isles. This species ranges from Western Europe to Eastern Siberia. The Scots Pine is only naturally found in Scotland in modern times, but in ancient times pine forests grew all over the British Isles. These forests died out due to climate change and human activity, but Scots Pine have been subsequently reintroduced as ornamentals and for forestry.

In these photos, we can see the two types of reproductive structures found on Scots Pine and other conifers. The classic pinecones are the female reproductive structures, known as ovulate cones, seed cones, or megastrobilus. These cones contain the ovules which will develop into seeds once fertilised by pollen. These cones open up their scales to allow wind blown pollen into the cones, after which the cones close up to allow the fertilised ovules to mature into seeds. After 6-8 months the cone opens again to let the winged seeds fly away on the wind to colonise new habitats. The second photo shows the male cones (microstrobilus or pollen cones) which contain pollen sacs under their scales. Scots Pine need to exchange pollen with another individual tree in order to reproduce.

Pine needles are also a delicious and healthy ingredient for herbal tea! Native Americans and East Asians have used pine needles from species in the Pinus genus for centuries as a healthy winter tonic. Pine needle tea is made by crushing and cutting the pine needles into small pieces and steeping them in boiling water. Medical research indicates pine needles are rich in antioxidants, vitamin A, and vitamin C. The taste is not like "pine scented air freshener" and more of a mellow citrusy flavour that combines exquisitely with cinnamon and gunpowder green tea. According to what I've read, all needles from Pinus genus species are safe for brewing unless you're pregnant.

[mostlyuk]

Duntulm Castle on Skye

[illustratus]

The Incoming Mist, Deer in the Highlands by Charles Stuart

[petitworld]

Mountain meadow near North Bend, British Columbia, Canada by Justin Brown

[fayriequeene]