The Pinnicale

 

The Pinnicale

Silent sands

The tide was out and from Shell Bay all the way to North Beach we had Studland beach to ourselves, and it was glorious.

Toad orgy

There was a full on toad orgy going on at Mogshade Pond this morning. Mild as it was, the sun was out and our amphibian friends were making the most of it by getting jiggy.  The pond was packed with them, impossible to count, though I'd say at least a couple of hundred paired and numerous individuals. Recent research reported a worrying decline in Common Toads (Bufo bufo) throughout the country, so it's good to see them apparently flourishing in the forest ponds. I've seen them, or evidence of them, in several forest ponds.

Imbolc

 

At winter solstice we witnessed the birth of the new sun, and began our next journey through the wheel of the year.  It’s now at Imbolc that we see the first signs of natures burgeoning and spring to come. Imbolc is said to translate as in the belly, apt with it being the beginning of lambing, and a much broader reference to the boundless fertility of the natural world at this time. The seeds dispersed last autumn have waited patiently, nurtured by the Earth in preparation for this moment, beneath the litter of last years' glory, the green shoots of this year are beginning to stir.  Imbolc blessings /|\