Ferns often enjoy the dark and dank corners of a wood. They opportunistically commandeer spots next to an ancient wall, or a mossy tree trunk. These are the ones I’m showcasing for Denzil’s Nature Challenge.
And finally … living proof, from the gardens of the Horniman Museum in London, that ferns were around in the times of the dinosaurs.
A blogger whose posts I enjoy is Rebecca, of Fake Flamenco fame. She keeps her curious eyes open, as she walks and explores the natural world and other things that attract her notice. She informs herself and then her readers about social and political issues in Latin America -which I find so interesting as this is very little covered here in the UK. And she’s a poet. Every month she throws out a poetry challenge, which I always try to join in on, because she translates every poem that’s submitted into Spanish. There’s something very special about this. That she would spend time reading our work, then interpreting it faithfully, and in the same poetic style as our own efforts is quite wonderful.
This month she invited us to submit a haiku including the words waterfall of stars. I’m not someone to whom the haiku form comes easily, but we’re coming to the end of blossom season here in the UK, and I thought I’d write about that. And Rebecca rose to the challenge of translating.
Dying petals dance, faded blossoms flutter down – waterfall of stars.
Pétalos bailan flores marchitas caen– cascada estrellar.
You can find all the other entries here.
Let’s extend the definition of Spring to include a bright day in January, encouraging aconites to show their faces, right through to asphodels in May. Let’s showcase the yellow flowers of spring, brightening our days with a feeling of optimism.
Denzil’s Nature Photo Challenge #11: Yellow
It’s spring. It must be. Wild garlic has – almost overnight – started rampaging through the woodlands near our house. A light tang of garlic pervades the air. And I go foraging. This is the season for:
Wild garlic and potato soup Wild garlic pesto Shredded fine and tossed at the last moment into scrambled egg. Shredded and tossed into risotto at the last moment
Have you any favourite recipes?
And have you got a secret piece of ancient woodland where ransoms – the other name for wild garlic – flourish? If so, you’re probably as lucky as me, because wild garlic is often quickly followed by bluebells.
I took my feature photo yesterday, so it qualifies for Brian’s Last on the Card. Accompanying text is rather frowned upon. Tough. This is my post, and I’ll write if I want to.
From Pyrenees to Pennines 
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