Louise is a writer, poet and photographer who feels most at home when out and about, watching, photographing, and writing about the flora and fauna to be found along the lanes and in the meadows of her local area. She can happily spend hours lost in a field full of wildflowers.
horseshoes clatter metal pealing against cobblestones in a chiming of bells as dreamlike figures ghost by a cavalcade of spirits messengers from the past bearing warning from a time of division and strife for those who care to listen This week’s photo was taken at an English Civil War reenactment in my home town of … More Messengers
Wandering along paths that wind their way through a meadow, surrounded by long grass and wildflowers, and listening to the bees and the insects all around you, is one of the best ways to spend the long days of summer. Unfortunately, since the second world war the UK has lost 97% of its wildflower meadows. … More Grow Wild are bringing wildflowers to communities across the UK
‘Leith could be the loveliest part of Edinburgh’ reads the opening line on the Leithers Don’t Litter website. And it’s true, it really could be – and if Zsuzsa and Gerry Farrell have their way, it absolutely will be. Zsuzsa and Gerry, got so tired of the amount of litter blighting their hometown that they … More The couple on a mission to clean up their neighbourhood
When it comes to activities threatening life on our planet, the growing crisis of plastic pollution ranks alongside climate change as one of the biggest challenges of our time. In response to the problem, and to sustained pressure by environmental activists and campaigners, a growing number of UK food and drink outlets have announced proposals … More These UK companies are responding to the plastic crisis
Newly shorn, the meadow lies bare now under the October sun, the golden trim giving accent to the surround of autumnal trees. The air holds a bitter nip that the early light is hesitant to dispel, but the clear sky promises pleasant hours ahead – a welcome change from the wet, windy and overcast days … More October 2017
In a great victory for people power, fracking company INEOS has dropped its plans to survey for shale gas in Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve. Over a quarter of a million people signed the Friends of the Earth and 38 Degrees petitions at the beginning of 2017, urging the Environment Secretary and the Forestry Commission … More Fracking plans in Sherwood Forest dropped
descend into the earth and find shelter within tangled mycelium warmed by a blanket of fallen leaves and dirt whilst earthworms coil amidst encapsulated dreams of sunlight’s return * sleep in peaceful slumber untouched by the Crone’s icy tears by the crystalline frosts and bitter snowfalls as she mourns her fallen consort and awaits the turning … More Enter the Underworld
you have two options or so they tell you * door one or door two two ways to enter their boxes to enter four walls constructed from preconceptions and stereotypes two ways to enter four walls designed to hold you bound in their lies * or you could simply choose to keep on walking
The sight of bees buzzing around the flowers in our gardens and meadows, and crawling over petals with their legs covered in pollen, is one that has long defined the summer months. It is a sight, unfortunately, that is becoming increasingly rare. All species of British bee are in decline. Since 1900 we’ve lost 13 … More Join the Bee Cause today
the flame sways in meditative radiance * remembering days filled with laughter amidst autumnal golds and browns * breathing air thick with scents of damp earth and ripe berries and rotting plants and sugarbeet * a small hand held within age-gnarled fingers frog wellies stomping through fallen leaves * days now circled beneath the wheel gone … More Autumn Flame
Small Comforts Cara dropped onto her bed, tugging the blanket over her shoulders as weariness pinned her to the mattress. Sleep soon began to smother her thoughts. She welcomed its oblivion after the backbreaking work of the day. The voice of the new girl jolted her back to awareness. She was tempted to respond – … More Small Comforts
A Letter from the Past Emmaline hummed softly as she lifted the bundle of pages from the shelf, instinctively weaving magic to ensure the fragile sheets remained intact as she transferred them to the desk. Dust puthered in the air. She turned her face into her cowl, avoiding breathing in the muck with practiced ease. … More A Letter from the Past
The ancient woodlands of the British Isles are rich, complex ecosystems that have existed for hundreds of years. But now, despite ancient woodlands accounting for less than 2% of the UK’s land area, more than 700 ancient woods are under threat. Ancient woods can have enormous biodiversity. They are home to a great number of rare … More Help save the UK’s ancient forests
The light that poured in through her window was the only source of illumination in an otherwise dismal existence. They said her harsh treatment was deserved, that her idle ways had led to an inevitable conclusion. Only she knew just how hard she’d strived to avoid such a fate. She tried not to let bitterness … More The Darkness Within
look beyond the urban rush and glimpse a vanished world thriving amidst concrete and brick Tucked behind a gate on a busy road in the middle of the city of Lincoln (UK), lies an oasis of green amongst the urban sprawl. The place is well concealed, surrounded by buildings, but walk a short path and … More The Orchard
darkness creeps sticky tendrils dragging ever deeper into the depths of fear and hate and hopelessness desolation clinging with tar-like viscosity * but don’t give up * glimpse the light that lies ahead encompassing hope of better times to come leave the darkness behind and embrace the future’s bright promise * don’t give up * never give … More Out of the Darkness
she dances as the new day begins haloed by the rising sun her laughter echoing as she swirls
golden rays dance over cloudtops ribbons unfurling in joyous celebration of harvests safely gathered I hadn’t even realised I’d taken these dawn shots on the Autumn Equinox until I was sorting through my pictures for the Changing Seasons post and spotted the date on the folder. I was already thinking about using them for a … More Harvest Dawn
labyrinthine streams wending in life-giving flows feeding reveries
As usual, I took far more photos of toadstools during September than I could possibly include on my Changing Seasons post. I thought I’d share them with you today instead.
seasons shift decorating the land in daubs of gold finger paints wildly applied joy articulated with a child’s exuberance whilst leaves crunch underfoot During September, the signs of autumn have become increasingly rife in the meadow and in the wooded area beside the stream. The first leaves have begun to turn, shades of golden brown … More September 2017
ever watchful eyes seeking opportunities certainties forgone
light peers through treetops the world cast in negative life in shadow-form
laughter and camaraderie found throughout the ages amidst the love of family Those of you who’ve followed my blog for a while may remember that I used to regularly join in with the One-Four challenge, editing a picture in four different ways over a month. Unfortunately, the challenge changed from being monthly to being quarterly, … More A Family Gathering
ivory forms glide adrift in silent dreaming wraiths on the water
The Touch of his Hand “Are you coming, my dear?” Millie looked up at the sound of his voice. Tommy stood in the doorway, his hand outstretched, waiting for hers to join it. She still remembered the first time their hands had touched, all those years ago. She’d shyly slid her fingers into his as they’d … More The Touch of his Hand
bathe in pure sunlight nature’s balm upon your skin reviving your soul
each step draws you around and around again in never-ending circles * we’ve been here before walked these paths trodden this ground * open your mind open your heart open your soul * and see how each turn takes you deeper * into your mind into your heart into your soul * glimpse eternity’s quietude … More Travelling in Circles
A Mother’s Grief “We didn’t do anything to it, Ma,” Aeliene said, a waiver in her voice that broke Shylie’s heart all over again. “We were just playing. It came out of nowhere and attacked us. Baen tried to stop it, but, he… he fell… and… and…” Shylie gathered her daughter close. Grief encased her … More A Mother’s Grief
Grasses have ripened into swathes of gold, and leaves have deepened their colour in maturity, for the meadow and woodland have passed their peak, accepting the inevitability of the ageing year. It’s been a few months since I last joined in with Cardinal Guzman’s Changing Seasons photo challenge, but I thought that, seeing as … More August 2017
The place where you can find out what Lillie thinks
Looking at life through blue eyes
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Looking into why we do the things we do (and some crochet) each Monday
Amanda Tuke - nature writer and urban nature champion
A photographic journey.
Here and now, with all of it.
An Enchanted Place 