#gibbous dandelion

[jichulichu]

"I know they'd do the same to me, I guess it's just time to feed."

[dandeliondee]

more kirb featuring a solo appearance of gibbous dandelion anywho

[mingtinys]

what dating seventeen feels like

pairing : seventeen x gn!reader

headcanons , fluff , misc

warnings : none

word count : 1.1 k

requested ? no

a/n: just a small collection of the things i love in life that i associate with seventeen

choi seungcheol

falling asleep on the couch and waking up in bed. chocolate-covered strawberries. the kind of love found in romcoms. expensive dinner dates and champagne.

cologne that lingers on your clothes and bed sheets. tight, bone-crushing, hugs. his hand almost always under the hem of your shirt, skin to skin (it grounds him). him letting you win when you play wrestle. cute aggression victim.

having a rock to hold on to amidst a raging current.

yoon jeonghan

diving under a crashing wave to find calm, gentle, water. rollercoasters with big drops. feathers. lavender fields. leaving the theater and realizing night has fallen.

always saying the same thing at the same time (it scares seokmin). naps on the couch. sending each other pictures of weird-looking animals with the caption "you" or "us." partners in crime. braiding his hair.

having not only a boyfriend but a best friend in jeonghan.

joshua hong

warm blankets, fresh from the dryer. pancakes and orange juice in the morning. raw honey. the scent of freshly baked bread. scented candles and wax melts.

lives up to the gentleman title. opens doors, bides by the sidewalk rule, lends you his jacket, etc. acts! of! service!! fighting over who pays the bill (he's actually ambushed your waiter to pay before you can even see the check). domestic, mundane, slice-of-life type of love.

a honeymoon phase that never ends.

wen junhui

walking down empty streets without a care in the world. morning cartoons. clingy cats. ice cream for dinner. frozen pizza with red wine. airport liminal space hours.

taking pictures of sunsets to send to each other. doodling on his hand. staying up until 3am accidentally. back hugs galore. resting his chin atop your head. him getting as close as possible when showing him something on your phone (i'm talking cheek smooshed up against yours). sleepy jun asking for kisses every morning.

living life in the moment because you know the future can wait for you two.

kwon soonyoung

energetic snow days. sledding, snowball fights, building snowmen. energy drinks and all-nighters. watermelon sugar. summer bonfires. the ambiance of muffled music through club bathrooms.

zoo dates. always wins you the biggest prizes at carnivals. his favorite place to nap is your lap. sweaty post-dance practice hugs. he gets pouty if you start a tv show without him. baking brownies at 3am. talks about you non-stop to anyone who will (or won't) listen.

excitement that isn't momentary or overwhelming. excitement that makes life meaningful.

jeon wonwoo

tulips blooming in the spring. waxing gibbous moons. amethyst. resting after a long, busy day. the scent of old, yellowed books. rhythmic clicking of a keyboard. warm, smooth, riverbank stones.

re-adjusting his glasses for him after every kiss. let's you design his character's outfits in video games. tells you about the book he's reading like it's gossip. he's always taking candid photos of you. quiet mornings. elderly couples who see you two are reminded of how they fell in love.

defining love not by how much it's said, but by how it's felt.

lee jihoon

thunderstorms that lull you to sleep. shiny, red guitars coming to life with smooth melodies. the crackle of a fire. rosemary. empty highways at night. lightning that strikes twice.

morning coffee dates at home. napping on his studio sofa while he works. quality! time! absolutely spoils you every chance he gets. pretends to act all cool when you catch him staring. writing songs for you. his hand routinely finds your knee when he's anxious. he prefers intimate and private acts of affection to the alternative.

cherishing all the little things that make your relationship important.

lee seokmin

wishing on dandelions. blue skies. morning dew on grass. golden hour. that burning sensation you get in your lungs when laughing too hard. iced lattes.

always asking permission to kiss you. so, so attentive. falling asleep on facetime. pillow forts. lots, and lots, and lots of nose kisses. him never wanting to leave you in the morning. "five more minutes" type of guy. his favorite feeling in the world is making you laugh.

finally knowing what it means to love someone so much you'd give the world for them.

kim mingyu

sleeping by a window with the sun warming your skin. hearing your favorite song on the radio. silky white sheets. first date jitters. first love. receiving a bouquet of roses.

admires you so, so, much. talks about you 24/7, much to his members' annoyance. (jk, they love you, they just like to tease him about it). literally a sponge the way he starts picking up your habits and slang. he's physically incapable of rejecting your puppy-dog eyes. likes to lay sprawled out on top of you. he'll often seek you out if he needs a little extra support.

the feeling that comes with knowing you've found "the one."

xu minghao

the autumn leaves changing. winter constellations. a solar eclipse. the quiet of a house before everyone wakes. those cozy granny-square blankets. white wine. laughing at scary movies.

wine and painting nights. him always making two cups of tea. art museum dates. swaying together to music in the kitchen. him secretly being a sucker for your doting. has your mannerisms memorized and prides himself on it. somehow always knows what to say when you're feeling down.

growing, learning, and experiencing life alongside each other.

boo seungkwan

warm, summer air. mystery flavored lollipops that somehow taste like every flavor all at once. rosy red cheeks.

teasing each other and inside jokes. nicknames like loser, stupid-head, idiot etc. (affectionate). hours long gossip sessions. kisses that taste of coffee and tangerine chapstick. stars in his eyes whenever you're doing literally anything. having his undivided attention.

resident happy pill and mood-maker seungkwan knowing he can let his mask fall around you without judgement.

hansol vernon chwe

watching city lights blur past in the passenger seat of a car at night. cereal at 1am. falling asleep while watching tv. poorly handmade, yet meaningful gifts. assorted candies. buying road trip snacks.

communicating with a single look. ice cream dates in the middle of winter. speaking purely in movie and tiktok references. late-night conversations that take a weird turn. (you've once debated if aliens would like pineapple on pizza). pretending not to notice how shy he gets when initiating physical affection.

loving the strange, bad, and hidden parts of each other as much as the good.

lee chan

the comforting buzz and motion of a subway at night. toothy smiles. watching reruns of your favorite childhood show. surprise parties. the first snow of the new year. concert lights.

driving at 2am, singing at the top of your lungs. random dance parties in the living room. getting noise complaints and giggling about it. pillow fights and board games, competitive, yet both trying to let the other win cause it'll make them happy. asking him to open jars. him getting exceptionally giddy to open said jars. (you're completely capable, but know he likes to feel needed).

making each other's inner child feel safe.

[bittyfromquotev]

I’m stealing your question, Bitty. What is each of the CFAU’s cast favorite word?

Topaz: Discombobulation

Sun: Bunches

Moon: Phenomenon

Eclipse: Sweetness

Kasey: Dandelion

Scythe: Incision

Harvest: Seed

Gibbous: Sunflower (RIP his wife 😔)

Solar: Driver

Lunar: Glimmer

Jack: Hello

Sunburst: Calculation

Nexus: Fester

Sol Raymond: Breeze

Fitz: Simplicity

(not including the cops this time because I keep forgetting their names lol)

[ethernetmeep]

went outside last night during my state of being where i couldn’t sleep & was excited to be able to see the moon. waning gibbous… so fascinating. here are some photos

essentially the same visuals i showcase from time to time near where i live but its dark out now. also saw a dandelion growing through the cracks of our shared front steps.

[cosmicmote]

hello now

I am waning gibbous,

would you like a wax.

or maybe this is backwards

I am not all that sure.

here I stop to ponder, surely

do I need to be -

I was told I have an alien leg

in black, she truly was convinced

but I refused to show her &

then I woke up with regrets.

what else is new,

let's get on with tea,

this cup I hold, warm,

a well stained routine.

pour yourself in, and

I will sip you too.

unless you are a dandelion, then

I'll find a better place for you.

words ©spacetree 2024

[marialeto]

Thursday January 12, 2023

Planet Mars

Ray of light Rose

Element Air

Elohim Spirit

Gemstone Citrine

Number Three

Day Intercosmos

Chakra Earth Star

Essential oil Gardenia

Moon Virgo to Libra at 8:57pm

Waning Gibbous

Shannon and Kaylie

Angels

Christine bracelet and oil blend

I weave the fabric of our lives together.

Rose for unconditional love, light pink for creative wisdom, white for patterns of heaven.

Patterns of unconditional love oil blend

Rose, white tea, gardenia, neroli, Helichrysum, geranium, YLang YLang, and black spruce.

Keyword - Poetry

Photo of the day, an air view of the Milwaukee art museum design and lakefront.

Tarot: Divine Doors

Three of Cups

“A toast to friendship in the afternoon sun three cups to happiness three cheers are done“

A celebration is next.

Brunch Tea

Dandelion tea

with fennel fruit, peppermint leaf and licorice root

1-12-2023

Thankful Thursday

Journaling Prompt

[this-world-of-beautiful-monsters]

THIS 

IS

SO

GOOD!!!!

Feefal on Instagram / Tumblr

[dansnaturepictures]

18/10/2022-Lakeside and home 

My Lakeside lunch time walk today was a tale of three raptors with Buzzard, Kestrel and Red Kite seen flying well. I don’t recall three bird of prey species in one Lakeside walk before and I haven’t seen a Red Kite from here for a while, it soared high in the blue sky. I enjoy seeing raptors especially locally so this excited me. Seeing a pair of Mallards up close the male lit well in the sun with the pair bobbing their heads was a great moment on the walk, I took the fourth and sixth pictures in this photoset of these. Great Crested Grebe shining well in the light and both Black-headed Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull seen intimately on beach lake again with a Black-headed Gull stood next to the Lesser Black-backed Gull on the fishing jetty at one point which was interesting on a fishing jetty were other bird highlights at lunch time. Today I also saw; Starlings well at home I took the first picture in this photoset of one, House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Blue Tit I believe at Lakeside, Woodpigeon including well at Lakeside along the northern path, Jackdaw well at Lakeside, Carrion Crow I seem to recall Magpie and Feral Pigeon and Greylag Goose seen well flying by from home.

I wanted to see a Common Darter and get a photo today if I could knowing the wood of the fishing jetties were a good bet they like to land on wood and when watching and photographing the Mallards on a jetty just when I thought of it I looked down and as if by magic there was this small ruby dragonfly glimmering in the strong sunlight at the water’s edge. I was captivated by this and took the fifth picture in this photoset of it. I saw another too and I also saw Migrant Hawker dragonflies really well again and Speckled Wood butterfly after yesterday, such stunning insects to see. I saw a white butterfly I believe quickly as I got towards Lakeside on the walk. Chamomile, daisy, dandelion and hawksbeard type flowers were nice plant sightings on my lunch time walk. I noticed a lot of seed heads on the walk today a reminder of the time of year. 

It was so peaceful being out in the stunning green, blue, red and yellow landscape of Lakeside when breaking from work at lunch time, I sharply appreciated that today. From right out the front where I took the second picture in this photoset of a prominent tree out the front covered in autumnal colour almost now to the trees at Lakeside visible from my room that did traditionally have red leaves but have gone yellow in recent years going red and also a bit yellow it will be interesting to see which one it goes mostly this year; it was a pleasure to take in glorious colourful autumn scenes at lunch time again. I took the third and seventh pictures in this photoset of autumn leaves at Lakeside at lunch time and a view a reverse of the one I did looking through the lakes from the south yesterday I believe I did both views in a short space of time earlier in the year and ninth picture in this set a view I noticed Friday night of the red leaved tree at the top by beach lake and towering yellow leaved trees by the other two lakes behind together in one view from across beach lake. I took the eighth picture in this photoset of these yellow leaved trees looking stunning reflected into Concorde lake I have loved seeing reflections lately and the tenth picture in this photoset of the moon I believe a waning gibbous which has looked great out in the day this week so far.

[reverielix]

hellooo, since i am very into astrology as well, i’d love if you could do a lee know as boyfriend based on his chart^^ i know we still don’t know about his venus sign (if libra or scorpio), so just choose which one you think suits him best, thank you in advance!

Ooo this sounds fun👀💕

First of all, I’m pretty convinced he’s a Gemini rising (8pm), which means he has a Scorpio Venus. His voice (2nd house) sounds more like Cancer (calming, rather comforting, not very high) than Sagittarius-like (high-pitched, loud, mood-maker) and he just gives me Gemini vibes haha He gives off a playful appearance more than an intense aura (though his glares send Hyunjin running, I think that’s more his inner Scorpio stellium coming through). If he’s a Gemini rising, his chart ruler would be in Scorpio, which could give him that more round face, and in the 6th house, which could give him a youthful appearance paired with those eyes🥰. Lastly, his rising’s decan would be Libra, which could also contribute to a rather round face than the typical Gemini rising’s rather slim appearance (+ Libra rules the butt lol and we all know Minho‘s shameless liking toward the members’ butts haha) He’s also pretty outgoing and chatty, which his mc in Aquarius and Gemini rising can also point at. I do want to point out that guessing any celebrity’s placements is like trying to guess their mc persona chart’s placements because their image is very controlled and what they do is extremely calculated/regulated.

So now that we’ve settled that, let’s get started!!💫

⇢ confession/beginning stages

I feel like he would be really flirty and straightforward because of his rising and Mercury as well as his Venus. His flirting style is versatile and adaptable to the person (Moon in Sagittarius in the 7th house, Gemini rising), and at first he’d try to keep it less intense, smile/smirk a little (his smile also contributes to my tendency to view him as a Gemini rising rather than a Scorpio rising😌).

When he’s gotten more comfortable around the other person and they seemingly are comfortable around him as well, he’d start letting his intense aura and Scorpio stellium come to shine as he’d enjoy making the other person feel flustered, though his Scorpio Venus suggests that he’d love for somebody to do that with him as well, seeing as his Sun-Venus conjunction doesn’t only indicate confidence, but also that he’s attracted to people who are similar to him.

His confession would be overall heartfelt, genuine, romantic and intense. His way with words (moon in 7th since he’s talking about his emotions here, Gemini rising, well aspected Mercury) would allow him to talk without stuttering too much or at all, though I can see him being nervous (his emotions are strong, and when he loves, he LOVES).

⇢ overall behavior in relationship

Once he finds himself in a relationship with somebody, he’d be pretty dedicated and loyal, which he’d expect from his partner as well. Other than Jeongin for instance, he wouldn’t be really big on personal space, instead he would be keen on skin ship and always want to touch his s/o’s butt 🤭.

His Venus lies in opposition to his Saturn in Taurus (no orb), which suggests feelings of insecurity and unworthiness which stems from criticism by authority figures and lack of affection (especially from a father or father-figure). Here, the planet of relays and restrictions can indicate a late recognition of that he deserves happiness instead of pity and love instead of loneliness (this aspect also indicates a feeling of unworthiness of financial success, so he may feel like he doesn’t deserve his place as an idol). Loving himself can thereby be a challenging road that he for a long time didn’t even know he had to take. This can result in insecurities being projected onto the other person or a detachment from his s/o as he is scared to show them all of him out of fear of rejection or not being accepted. Just like with all Saturn aspects, with hard work and age comes a great deal of contentment and what he’s understood he deserves (money and love in regards to Venus and Saturn).

Meanwhile, Neptune is in a square with Venus, (1° orb) which points out a deception and inability to draw a clear line between judgement and his gut feeling. In this case, he can take things his s/o says very personally, though he might act as if nothing’s wrong (Scorpio stellium,...). People with this aspect typically dream to escape reality as well as are languid and messy (missing/coming late to dates although he’s strongly dedicated to the relationship, he may just forget or feel secretly hurt about something that wasn’t really offensive but he made out to be). This sensitivity toward what others say feeds into the Saturn-Venus aspect and a feeling of inadequacy and dishonorability. Overall, his Venus (love style, behavior in relationships, desires, attraction) is badly aspected in his chart, though his s/o and their personality is a key-point to look at in any relationship.

As a boyfriend in general, Minho may be extremely emotionally invested, possessive, devoted and sharing. Once he’s with someone, he gives himself to that person. Additionally, his Venus in the 5th along with his Sun in the 5th and conjunct his Venus suggest a very present and, again, dedicated lover who loves with his whole heart and all he’s got (meanwhile he makes an effort to look especially detached and funny/playful in public or in front of cameras, which, among other placements, his mc in Aquarius hints at). Lastly he may be excellent at boosting his partner’s confidence, yet may also need validation back. (Can I just say that his Sun and Venus in the 5th make his chart the one of a born performer, which obviously shows + his love for art shows here as well🤓😊.)

⇢ dates

His Scorpio Venus in the 5th makes me think of spontaneous, grand-gesture dates that take place where he’s granted privacy with his s/o and everything’s only about the two. He may wants to move around, like go to an abandoned park where the grass is a little too high and play games/teach them a dance before they watch the stars when the night comes🥺💫. I can see him being very romantic and bold, so he may just sneak kisses here and there (5th house suggests spontaneity and the thrill of surprises). Here are brief moments of how I imagine a date with him:

“I’m bored. Let’s go somewhere.”

he walks toward his room’s red oak panel door

“Where do you want to go?”

your naked feet follow his to the cold stone floor behind the door

“Let’s decide on the way.”

over pine trees and bushes his reflection distracts you

eyes are narrowed when he’s concentrated, wrinkles adorn his cheeks

“5 minutes.”

“Huh?” you turn your head

“I’ve figured out a place, we’re only gonna need another 5 minutes.”

“Want a kiss? Come and get it then!”

he trips over dandelions and grass, smug-smiling, and doesn’t slow down

your feet stomp the grass, your determination takes over

after two breaks of resting your arms on your thighs, he gives in, lets you win

“I did that on purpose.”

“I don’t care.”

right legs cross the lefts and knees buckle while arms swing up, fingers fold out and eyebrows are raised

dancing is way harder than it looks, you’ve just figured

behind gracious twirls hide strength and control, something the slippery lawn hampers

“No, the feet need to be pointed in a different angle.” Minho held his hands out flat.

amidst your ambition to strech your arm “elegantly”, sunset hugs your silhouettes around the shadows

distant stars create a pattern in everless darkness, the waning gibbous moon sheds light

“Do you ever think of death?” your eyes dart the distance

“Like how? Don’t we all?” his trace the sharp shadow of your nose cast on your cheek

“We’re just such a small fragment of the universe. Gone before it even noticed us.”

“No, I believe we’re here for a reason. I think we have a big presence in the universe. Life is so magical, and so is death. It scares most, because it’s unpredictable. But so is tomorrow.”

Existential conversation with Minho™️

⇢ kisses

Ooooooo his s/o is in for something😳 The Scorpio stellium and 5th house Sun conjunct Venus suggests passion and bold, unexpected actions. He doesn’t just kiss for fun. If he kisses, he KISSES. The Virgo Mars also adds a feeling of security. I can see how he likes “crossing lines” and being bold, though it feels comfortable and safe. A lil types of kisses list...

obvi the passing food one lol

a sudden one that takes the other’s breath away

one in which he holds the other’s waist/cups their cheeks and forgets about everything around him

salty ones after a reunion or fight

one in which breaths are shared

a combination of kisses he thought of the night before when he couldn’t sleep (very unusual, but if anyone can pull it off with confidence, it’s Minho)

It was so much fun making this haha💞 hope u like it!🌫

[dandeliondee]

uuu stinky named gibbous dandelion he is a guy

[universejunction]

Happy moon 🌕, clouds in the sky

Below the fold: a photo of a normal tarot spread on my kitchen altar

Five cards in white and gold on black. Beneath each is a white card with shorthand meanings for each card, in black sharpie.

The waxing gibbous 🌔; it begins the hunt is on

The summer solstice 🔆; consummation

The traitor 🔪; Trecher

The Spring Queen 🌿; a bargain Get what you give

The second of summer 🌇; routine intimacy, humble passion

On a windowsill above is a black-and-white cat (Checkers) sniffing a plate with a single dandelion seed on a wet paper towel.

The cards lay on a smooth wood board; to the left is a bag of snack mix (peanuts, cereal, chocolate shell candy). Across the top of the board:

Left: A plastic dragon breathing out 3d-printed smoke lit red from within like fire

Right: three coins - brown heads, brown tails, and silver heads

Center: A stack of blank white cards, topped with a card reading "Dishes", with a sigil for energy by @hippieghost

The dishes/sigil card bridges to the lap of a clay statuette of a kneeling woman carrying a basket, in line with other charms. Also on her lap are a small dry yellow playdough nugget, and a pin with dandelions in fluff and text "blow me". In her basket is a silver ramekin full of the same snack mix; an offering, free to be eaten. The statue's breasts are large and bare; a red and white string belts her waist.

On the counter to the right hand side of the statue is a ☯️ yin yang necklace with beads. The necklace's string extends to the other side of the statue, where it is loosely looped around the neck of a dragon statue candleholder, with melted wax.

Circling clockwise from the necklace:

A lighter with a stylized cat face

A blue lantern symbol token; sitting atop is a tiny dragon on an oreo. Behind the dragon is a trio of plastic rabbits

A skeleton spider on a leaf and piece of bark. Behind is a photo of a sunflower 🌻

A yellow jar of bubble fluid, a small jar of pink playdough, and a bread bag tag with "I🖤U"

A stack of brown paper napkins

Caretaker (@normal-horoscopes) sitting in the tarot deck box, with Okatsu tossing up a ✌️ from behind.

A water-damaged letter with instructions regarding my new hooves.

[thegrimioreguides]

Im doing this all now cause im bored im sorry xD

31 Days of Witchcraft

How did you discover your path?- My friend Marquelia, we weren’t good friends and she was quite fake but we had some amazing times together.

How long have you been practicing witchcraft?- I have thrown myself headfirst into the craft about two-three months ago but I have been studying and dabbling for two years.

What kind of witch are you?- Eclectic. But mostly hedge and green. I work with oujia boards and pendulum aswell as tarot but i also have a huge garden and love working with herbs. I do alot outside of those two but they are mainly my expertise.

What specific path/tradition do you follow?- Im currently wiccan!

Do you have any ethnics or moral codes that you follow?- Do what ye will if it harms none!

Are you a Solitary witch or have you worked with others in a Coven?- I am a solitary witch but my sister is becoming interested!

Do you practice divination? If so, what techniques?- Yes! I practice tarot and pendulum! If you count Oujia then that too!

Would/Do you read for others? Why or why not?- Yeah totally! I love giving people insight and advice in their lives and helping as much as possible!

Do you believe in anything supernatural/paranormal?- Absolutely!

What are your beliefs on an Afterlife?- oof, i dont really know!

Does your family and/or friends know you practice witchcraft?- My sister does and I told my parents im not christian, I feel like they’ve assumed due to my sigils everywhere, crystals, and my altar.

Do/Will you teach and practice witchcraft to your children?- Absolutely, if not for magic, then for kindness and to teach them to care for the earth!

Matron Goddess [If you have one. If not, list goddesses that you favor]- Artemis!!

Patron God [If you have one. If not, list gods that you favor]- I like Apollo but don’t know much about him other than he is related to Artemis!

Favorite pantheon [Group of gods]- Greek?

What are your Sun/Moon/Rising signs?- My sun sign is Aquarius, My moon is Leo, and my rising is Sagittarius!

What’s your Element?- Air <3

Favorite season?- SPRING!!

Favorite tree?- Willow, is that cliche?

Favorite flower?- I love dandelions!

Favorite gem?- Amethyst!

Favorite color?- Defidentaly Maroon but Olive Green is a close second!

Favorite animal?- Rabbit!

What’s your familiar?- A rabbit/hare!

Favorite book on Witchcraft?- N/A

Favorite website on Witchcraft?- Spellsofmagic.com can be helpful and so can tumblr but I have so many great websites that I linger on, maybe ill make a post about that soon?

Famous witch that you favor?- I love @cosmic-witch

Favorite divination tool?- Tarot!

Favorite altar tool?- Candles

Do you have an altar?- Yep!

What phase is the Moon currently in?- Waxing gibbous! Only three more days until the full moon though!

[carryonbaggage]

Hibiscus

With May comes a reinvigoration A tide of fresh air In the air there is promise There is the mystery of things to come, things renewed There are letters to be opened and tables to be set for friends from far away lands that you may one day visit And for friends in proximity that you will make feasts, you will nourish them, you will drape your arms around them with love and respect You can feel it happening The shift towards weightlessness Effervescence almost As the shackles are cut As the tomes are closed to collect dust As the pens are placed back in the caddy with finality Flowers are planted in you Flowers grow in you The new weightless is prolific  Vine ripe grapes fresh for plucking become you All is new birth All is dandelion seeds on the breeze All is beauty born from dying light You barely blink for fear of missing it

For fear that your own eyes become orchids in the light Glimpses of the butter sun melting below every mountain ridge is so rich that you can taste the cream in everything God how did you live so long tied to a desk Hidden from daylight in concrete cubicles God how did you let green processed paper become your god The smell and feel of it clogging your senses Jamming the spread thick roots so they could not grow

But now there is tilled soil and the enigma of existence seems less like a death sentence It’s more camouflaged hibiscus Existence is hibiscus Flowers grow in you Pollinating fragrant with each waxing gibbous moon You’re on fire with the possibility in everything Your bones ache with all they could be Everything is gold and warm and sings lovely Everything is gold and warm and sings lovely Everything is gold and warm and lovely You can feel all the goodness devouring you It almost hurts it’s so pure True blind white ecstasy holding you like a floating cloud over your pain The flowers bloom over your pain Black nights are erased and you’re alive you’re alive you’re alive

Then one day you’re alive and you’re  scared Scared of the flowers for the bees they attract for their wilting Scared of the clouds for their sick and shiny silver linings scared of yourself, of your own mortality Scared of the darkness for the clicking locks you hear but cannot see As your bank account is drained  your eyes develop gibbous moon circles your reflection betrays you your thoughts betray you as they become a wild mustang set loose on the never-ending Plains. Days drag on without mercy or meaning You’re heavy again. Fall is a promise.

So you call jarad Tell him you’re not feeling well. Pull the covers up, tuck the comforter around you like it’s your own skin Holding in your pain.

Say you hope he understands.

[dansnaturepictures]

12/03/2022-Walk from Bolderwood to Backley Bottom in the New Forest (Crossbill, Fallow Deers and more) and some bits at home 

It was nice to see a varied carpet beetle crawling across the top of my curtain as I woke up this Saturday morning. Before enjoying a mostly very sunny morning out the back with some dramatic and nice light sky scenes there was some real golden light caressing the trees and areas visible from my room at a distance, enjoying the colour of daffodils, viburnum, the fuchsia with green buds coming through and more in the back garden, blossom around out the back and a smashing looking Goldfinch in the beautiful light which I took the third picture in this photoset of in the glowing green buddleia bush in the back garden. At home this morning and tonight blossom looked nice around with some great scenes looking towards Lakeside and patterns in the sky tonight which it was nice to see. I enjoyed seeing pansies and more and getting photos in hanging baskets in the back garden with green vegetation looking nice in the back garden today too.

This afternoon we had my third attempt since November of seeing the freshly reported Great Grey Shrike at Backley Bottom in the New Forest but didn’t see it. This time reaching this gem of a place such a beautiful open bit of wilderness with top wildlife around that we have loved discovering in a different way to the last two by walking to it from one of our favourite New Forest locations for years Bolderwood which is nearby. On a nicely long and athletic walk it was so nice to tie the two walks together and as my Mum had recently on a week day learn how they overlap, getting nice views of nearby to them both Milkham the three walks create something of a circle going through breathtaking, open and large in scale landscape of the heath and a bit of woodland. This was a walk in such gorgeous sunshine and quite mild weather which was extremely pleasant, with fluffy clouds and a nice building moon I believe the waxing gibbous showing against the bright blue day time sky.

This was beautiful to take in, as was the little waterfall we have enjoyed and photographed a lot at Bolderwood over the years, ivy covered trunks, holly bushes, rhododendron, lone nice dark green pines at Backley again, nice bits of yellow in flower gorse, a dandelion type flower and some pretty looking crowfoot flower and leaves looking nice in the precious bog area I have enjoyed at Backley Bottom. I took the first, fourth, fifth and final two pictures in this photoset of views on the walk, second of the moon, sixth of the crowfoot, seventh of some of the gorse this looking nice in landscapes too and eighth of the waterfall. 

There was a nice view of Fallow Deers in the deer sanctuary walking at Bolderwood and the Backley Bottom area held some great birds. Boisterous Mistle Thrushes and cheery Meadow Pipits bounding and dancing through the sky. Captivating Buzzards soaring high and a Kestrel in the air with its brick red back gleaming in the sunlight. Wren and Stonechat stood out too.

Along the tracks of Bolderwood on the way back along with one of two really lovely pairs of people we had great chats with on the walk we were stunned to see a bachelor group of up to six Fallow Deer stags. These majestic animals with their impressive antlers and badger stripe tails roamed peacefully through the landscape - as it was nice to see New Forest ponies do early in the walk - of arguably the New Forest capital of fallows a place that gave us a valuable chance to see them just before my teenage years and has been a happy place to see them for us a lot since. A breathtaking few minutes in a strong year of deers for me already.

Minutes from the end of the walk by the car park perhaps the bird of it emerged when sat in a bare tree was a female Crossbill. I got a look of it here - the ninth picture includes it in sat in the tree in fact - and it and another of these large and distinctive finches flying over into the tall trees by the Canadian war memorial across the road where we were three weeks ago today. An amazing moment to see for my first time this year a bird that had threatened to be my bogey bird (the one I don’t see for a bit in a year which I usually see without too much trouble) having been to the forest so much especially in February. A set of forest walks to start the year from January to today including every place I had ever seen a Crossbill. So it was fantastic to see this bird a quintessential New Forest species and add Bolderwood to a list of places I know I have and can now. It’s a very exciting 133rd bird of my year and was a key target, making its appearance on an eighth consecutive year list of mine.

It completes my bill hat trick, seeing the three established British species with the word bill in their name alongside Spoonbill and Razorbill and I think it’s the fastest I’ve ever achieved that in a year with an unusually early set of Razorbill sightings in the winter in January a species we don’t usually see until April onwards and the one previous year we saw an early Razorbill we didn’t see a Crossbill or Spoonbill in. It also comes on two places after Spoonbill on my chronologically ordered year list a year tick last Saturday at Keyhaven. A brilliant Saturday outside. Just like my walk at Lakeside yesterday it was a brilliant day of finches and thrushes.

Wildlife Sightings Summary: My first Crossbill of the year, one of my favourite birds the Buzzard, one of my favourite mammals the Fallow Deer, Kestrel, lots of Woodpigeons, Magpie, Mistle Thrush, Blackbird, Robin, Stonechat, Wren, Blue Tit, Meadow Pipit and exciting to see bees again heading for spring in this nice weather.

[dansnaturepictures]

20/07/2021-Birds, butterflies, dragonflies, moths and flowers at home and Lakeside 

On another hot day I believe I heard the Greylag Geese flying over out the back this morning again as I worked, they seem to have a fairly regular morning and evening flight path past the house these days. I took the first six pictures in this photoset on my lunch time walk today of a white clover dominated view on the green out the front on the way to Lakeside with this flower carpeting the place as I said recently, a commonly photographed by me view at Lakeside looking down to the steam railway station from the north east kissing gate entrance, some lovely agrimony along the northern path, two more views and one of the group of cattle close to the fence in the southern fenced off nature reserve area I tweeted another picture of another on Dans_Pictures tonight. 

Going along the northern path a little way and the central path between the two fenced off nature reserve areas I enjoyed doing another Big Butterfly Count. Meadow Browns dominated again with fifteen seen in the fifteen minutes just like yesterday lunch time, Small White which had tied it yesterday second again with ten and Marbled White and Ringlet continued their good starts to the count two species I am relieved to get in always as their seasons can fade during the three weeks of Big Butterfly Count with four and two seen respectively. There was one Gatekeeper too and five Small Skippers I saw about during the time a species not within the Big Butterfly Count but I am enjoying keeping a tally of them out of interest too as I see them with some of the Big Butterfly Count target species. I got some exceptional views of Marbled White and there was one moment that stood out with two Meadow Browns flying around and battling each other. One of a few really good views of this delightful light and dark brown with splash of orange butterfly and I had that moment I can tend to in Big Butterfly Count every year when I am stunned by the amount of Meadow Browns around it feels they are so plentiful and it was great to reflect on that not too far from where we saw our first ever Meadow Brown (in the southern fenced off area) eleven years ago. Meadow Browns and Marbled Whites especially had led me to want to do a count down this central path I don’t know if I did any here during the many at Lakeside last year as I had seen a lot of butterflies around here and for maybe a more thoroughfare type part of the park it has a great deal of butterflies around. 

Dragonflies paraded around again here in the form of Black-tailed Skimmer and Emperor. I did also see some more great flowers on the walk today, both a clock and yellow dandelion together on the green out the front before getting into Lakeside, similar for thistle inside Lakeside, bird’s-foot trefoil, carrot exactly a month after first learning this one at South Stack in Anglesey I can’t believe a month has passed since that amazing Anglesey holiday already and two nice glowing yellow ones silverweed and my first common fleabane of the year one I did enjoy last year here and took a memorable photo of in 2020. Nearly a year on from having the PlantNet ID app suggested by a kind Twitter friend and downloading it and the revolution in my hobby it sparked I reflected this morning about how good it feels and how it opens up a whole new section of the natural world being able to know so many flowers when I walk around now and the knowledge this year after last has grown and grown which I didn’t have to this whilst not perfect increased level a year ago. I do enjoy finding out what they’re called for ones I don’t know too with some quirky names at times.

The sun had gone behind a thicker cloud than had been around for a few days momentarily on the walk but on the northern path before coming down it was quite invigorating to see bits of sun start to kiss the path gradually and as though the landscape awoke. Going from slightly overcast to the sun being out I lapped up chances for photos I maybe wouldn’t have looked twice at taking if the sun had been out when I arrived such is the shift in appearance the sun emerging lighting it up bit by bit tends to bring about. Whilst obviously I am happy to take pictures of beautiful views on darker days and in bright sunshine all the way through I’m never short of inspiration. 

I reached beach lake and a very large group of House Martins and Swifts were flying around over the water, quite low at times a sight I have loved enjoying so much this year here and been so lucky to. On the way home I enjoyed another Marbled White on the green areas out the front this one literally outside the house the closest I’d ever seen to home before so this was special with one of my favourite butterflies like moments I had with Small Copper, Orange Tip and Clouded Yellow last year and Small Skipper recently as well. 

I took the seventh and eigth pictures in this photoset of a tree out the back looking stunning in the evening light and the waxing gibbous moon in the light out the front. It was a perfect summer’s evening especially in the heat and bright sunlight. And as I had hoped would happen with windows left open and lights on after sunset during the heatwave to try and keep cool moths had come in. Firstly the one in the ninth picture in this photoset that must have come in last night as it was in the living room mid-evening the Rosy Tabby a sweet little oaky brown looking moth. Later in the evening, after taking the tenth and final picture in this photoset of a sky scene around sunset, a Long-legged Tabby another pretty looking one came in. Moths are very much like flowers something I want to build my knowledge on more and I have been looking for an app to do what PlantNet does but for moths for a while so that I am not relying too much on other’s knowledge on Twitter especially the brilliant, dedicated and very useful MothIDUK account which so much hard work goes into (of which I will still query moths with in future still I’m sure!) and tonight I re-downloaded another I had suggested by someone on Twitter last year, the iNaturalist Seek app. On a brief go with it last year I didn’t have much success for it but it seemed really good for identifying these moths tonight and was accurate. It the photo is not clear enough it can say which family group its in so in a world like flowers compared to birds and butterflies etc where idea of the family group is enough for me this should work well. It can be used for just about any wildlife also. And so a new revolution in my hobby begins? I hope so, but tonight it just feels good to be really sharing the house with moths for a little bit lately as we head into the peak season for them coming in. I do find moths so varying and fascinating with how many there are and all the shapes and sizes they come in. 

Wildlife Sightings Summary: My first ever Rosy Tabby and Long-legged Tabby moths, one of my favourite butterflies the Marbled White, two of my favourite dragonflies the Keeled Skimmer and Emperor, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Small Skipper, Small White, Swift, House Martin, House Sparrow, Starling, Jackdaw, Herring Gull well, Lesser Black-backed Gull on a street light especially which was nice out the front tonight, Black-headed Gull, Greylag Goose and more interesting insects in the house tonight.