Day 29 – 30 Days Wild

The weather has been similar to yesterday, so I got cosy and added colour to the drawing I did yesterday.

Adding colour 🎨
The finished piece πŸ‘¨β€πŸŽ¨

Thanks for visiting! πŸ’š

Day 28 – 30 Days Wild

The weather has been very temperamental here, windy & raining, with sunny spells. So after pottering in the garden, I did some drawing πŸ™‚

My niece really likes Turtles (Marine / Sea ones, not the species which Americans call Tortoises). My sister asked me to draw her one ☺️

I like to take pictures at different stages, to see / show my progression 😊
Just need to add colour now πŸ‘πŸ»

Thanks for visiting! πŸ’š

Review: Get Your Boots On

Last year (2019) a cool and vibrant book became available to purchase from your favourite bookstore and for your Ebook devices, written by an inspirational social media friend and fellow naturalist, Alex White! Published by Dived Up.

First off, what I really like is how colourful and cleverly graphically designed it is. Alex’s pictures are great and used superbly throughout the publication. Each page grabs your attention; what is said / written and each animal featured is captioned / labelled with its scientific name.

The tone of the book is encouraging, it balances out negativity and positivity. It is realistic, well humoured and in no way are you patronised or made to feel bad. As Chris Packham says, it’s heartening.

It is packed full of tips and hints. There is a brilliant quote on page 20 and on page 41 Alex details a magical encounter. I must admit; I found it hard to put this book down, it’s a real page turner.

Wildlife on your doorstep, locally and further afield is promoted, plus it covers what to see each month (bang in the middle of the book) and discusses Social Media, Local Groups and Clubs, which is really good.

Throughout there are contributions from familiar faces, people on Social Media, TV, Radio and in Magazines. In the section entitled Next Generation, I have a few pages detailing my career path (page 130-132).

Alex’s writing style is engaging, insightful, honest and down to earth. Get Your Boots On is excellent! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks for reading 😊 x

Video

Wildlife Monthly: ARG Record Pool

This month I’ve decided to focus on some wildlife that takes a backseat, and is often overlooked – Reptiles and Amphibians!  🐍 🐸

ARG UK have teamed up with Amphibian and Reptile Conservation;Β to bring us a Record Pool of our water loving and sun loving friends! Β In the video below I interview Underwater Cameraman,Β Jack PerksΒ –Β to give us some tips and the lowdown on this nationwide survey.

To get involved with the survey; click here. Β πŸ’»

Get spotting!

Thanks. πŸ˜ƒ

Gallery

Day 16 – 30 Days Wild

“Invite a friend into nature”

#30DaysWild
#30DaysWild

Today my friend Gary (mentioned in previous posts) and I visited the Wolseley Centre – Staffordshire Wildlife Trust HQ!

We’ve had great day, the weather was wonderful.Β  We both hadn’t been before.Β  I was impressed by the variety of habitatsΒ (grassland, lakes, rivers and woodland) and species.

Today’s challenge was “invite a friend into nature”, but it was also chance for Gary to brush up on his photography skillsΒ  (I shall document what we saw below!)Β  And in line with the challenge, I did my best to teach Gary about all the various creatures we came across and the bird songs we heard.

DSC_0277

We saw Swallows and House Martins flying above the centre.
We saw Swallows and House Martins flying above the centre.

We saw this Bee and Bumble Bees on the Purple Wallflower at the entrance of the centre.
And this Bee and Bumble Bees on the Purple Wallflower at the entrance of the centre.

Not seen Honeysuckle in such a deep yellow before :)
Not seen Honeysuckle in such a deep yellow before πŸ™‚

Gary and myself before our wild walk.  Photobombed by a Mallard! ;)
Gary and myself before our wild walk. Photobombed by a Mallard! πŸ˜‰

Whilst Gary looked through my binoculars, I told him about what he was observing.
Whilst Gary looked through my binoculars, I told him about what he was observing (nice shirt!)

A wild sculpture, I assume it's a bench?
A wild sculpture!

This time we were photobombed by a Canada Goose! ;)
This time we were photobombed by a Canada Goose! πŸ˜‰

If you remember, I love Oak Trees!  This individual has been adopted by Philip Rainsbury and Sue Haycock :)
If you remember, I love Oak Trees! This individual has been adopted by Philip Rainsbury and Sue Haycock πŸ™‚

A cute baby Rat!
Can you spot the baby Rat?

Gary's first ever Chaffinch - to his knowledge.
Gary’s first ever Chaffinch – to his knowledge πŸ˜›

One of my favourites of Gary's snaps, a Great Tit in flight.
One of my favourites of Gary’s snaps, a Great Tit in flight.

Some grassland management.
Some grassland management (I have the camera now)

We were watching a male Blackcap.
We were watching a male Blackcap.

A disheveled Peacock Butterfly.
A disheveled Peacock Butterfly (by me)

A Common Blue Butterfly (Gary has his camera back)
A Common Blue Butterfly (Gary has his camera back)

But who too this one?!
But who took this one?!

Willow seeds settled on the pond.
Willow seeds settled on the pond.

Giant Leaves, Giant Snail!
Giant Leaves, Giant Snail!

A Terrapin?!  I was shocked to see this.  Taken with a lens kindly leant by a very friendly chap from Stoke (walking past)
A Terrapin?! I was surprised to see this. Taken by Gary with a lens kindly lent by a very friendly chap from Stoke (walking past)

St. John's Wort.
St. John’s Wort.

A stunning sculpture - very talented work!
A stunning sculpture – very talented work!

There’s still a little bit more for us to explore, looking forward to the next visit! πŸ˜€

Caught in a web of wildlife.
Caught in a web of wildlife.

Thanks for reading πŸ™‚