"I’m going with a balance of what my body and/or mind need as they often aren’t the same thing" - such a good way to describe what many of us with chronic health issues struggle with. I hope you can take your time to recover and will get some nice time outdoors!
I can only agree that looking at the trees in winter is so enjoyable - I am learning trees this month and tell everyone to look at the buds (whether they want to hear it or not)! The buds can be surprisingly colourful - the ones of the lime tree can be bright red and the ones of the alder have a nice purple colour, for example. Almost like flowers!
Thank you, I do so wish my body and mind would be happy with the same self care. And yes, buds are so fascinating and do demand close noticing. Maybe that's what I'll focus on (literally!) over the weekend. Have you found any quick /simple tree bud id resources?
But I mostly learn the basics from "winter tree" YouTube videos aimed at beginners and use iNaturalist.org for identification if I am not sure what I'm seeing outside. I also like to scroll through a lot of the images of the species common in my area on iNaturalist. For getting to know the common species this has worked well.
Thank you, yes inaturalist is great app but hasn't thought of doing that. The tree guides website looks good too. I also realised my Collins tree guide has a quick look section on winter buds too. I got distracted by snowdrops this morning!
Like you, I've spent most of my time at home this week, but even from the windows, nature has been a great anchor. I spent some time sketching the movements of gulls and pigeons from the back step. Just 10 minutes, but I really noticed my observational skills tuning in, even in that short time. When I have been able to get out for short walks with my husband and our dog, I've heard scrubby bushes alive with the songs of sparrows, smelled winter heliotrope before I've even got round the corner, and seen Lords and Ladies raising their heads, while catkins dangle from hazel trees. And I love the light behind bare winter trees.
You are so right. These moments of noticing can have such a profound effect, even during the most difficult times. Maybe more so then in fact. I hope that you are able to spend a little more time outside soon, and that your body & mind begin to cooperate more peacefully. Take good care <3
Oh that's all so true Amy. I wish I could see more from my back door/windows, and a hedge of sparrows are on my wish list for our next house! I didn't realise winter heliotrope had a scent, it was raining when I found it. I will definitely take myself and my sketchbook out, even if just the cemetery or garden.
It has a sort of vanilla-y smell to me. I know it as fragrant butterbur, I think from an old book I've got?! Agreed - I'd love to live in a place with a hedge full of sparrows. We mostly have to make do with gulls and pigeons on terraced rooves. We used to get little birds, but structural changes in the area and a big increase in the number of cats seem to have put them off :0( Sketching outside is one of my favourite things, I hope you are able to do it next week.
"I’m going with a balance of what my body and/or mind need as they often aren’t the same thing" - such a good way to describe what many of us with chronic health issues struggle with. I hope you can take your time to recover and will get some nice time outdoors!
I can only agree that looking at the trees in winter is so enjoyable - I am learning trees this month and tell everyone to look at the buds (whether they want to hear it or not)! The buds can be surprisingly colourful - the ones of the lime tree can be bright red and the ones of the alder have a nice purple colour, for example. Almost like flowers!
Thank you, I do so wish my body and mind would be happy with the same self care. And yes, buds are so fascinating and do demand close noticing. Maybe that's what I'll focus on (literally!) over the weekend. Have you found any quick /simple tree bud id resources?
Someone recently recommended this one: https://www.treeguideuk.co.uk/mini-guides/buds/
But I mostly learn the basics from "winter tree" YouTube videos aimed at beginners and use iNaturalist.org for identification if I am not sure what I'm seeing outside. I also like to scroll through a lot of the images of the species common in my area on iNaturalist. For getting to know the common species this has worked well.
I hope you're having a good weekend!
Thank you, yes inaturalist is great app but hasn't thought of doing that. The tree guides website looks good too. I also realised my Collins tree guide has a quick look section on winter buds too. I got distracted by snowdrops this morning!
I could have linked my post - I guess I need to learn to advertise my own stuff! https://theadventcalmendar.substack.com/p/january-theme-part-1-identifying
Being under the moonlit sky with ground covered in snow was a magical experience last Saturday night
I’m sure, snow makes everything magical.
Bare winter trees are my favorite. I love seeing all the nests left over from spring, summer and fall high up in the branches.
January is definitely a time for lots of sleep.
Here in Perthshire the great spotted woodpeckers have started drumming and rooks are back in their nesting trees.
Oh, lovely, I'll have you see if the woodpeckers in our nearby wood are about. And yes, January is for sleeping, just not this much.
Like you, I've spent most of my time at home this week, but even from the windows, nature has been a great anchor. I spent some time sketching the movements of gulls and pigeons from the back step. Just 10 minutes, but I really noticed my observational skills tuning in, even in that short time. When I have been able to get out for short walks with my husband and our dog, I've heard scrubby bushes alive with the songs of sparrows, smelled winter heliotrope before I've even got round the corner, and seen Lords and Ladies raising their heads, while catkins dangle from hazel trees. And I love the light behind bare winter trees.
You are so right. These moments of noticing can have such a profound effect, even during the most difficult times. Maybe more so then in fact. I hope that you are able to spend a little more time outside soon, and that your body & mind begin to cooperate more peacefully. Take good care <3
Oh that's all so true Amy. I wish I could see more from my back door/windows, and a hedge of sparrows are on my wish list for our next house! I didn't realise winter heliotrope had a scent, it was raining when I found it. I will definitely take myself and my sketchbook out, even if just the cemetery or garden.
It has a sort of vanilla-y smell to me. I know it as fragrant butterbur, I think from an old book I've got?! Agreed - I'd love to live in a place with a hedge full of sparrows. We mostly have to make do with gulls and pigeons on terraced rooves. We used to get little birds, but structural changes in the area and a big increase in the number of cats seem to have put them off :0( Sketching outside is one of my favourite things, I hope you are able to do it next week.
I do like pigeons and gulls of course...