Thank you for this beautifully written and illustrated article. It's so nice to hear what is going on in the Northern Hemisphere, while living in the south. I was so excited to see the Gray Wagtail made its appearance. We were so lucky here on the Southern Coast of South Africa last summer, with 2 lone Gray Wagtails making their appearance in the Botanical Gardens. They were very far off their course and brought so much joy to photographers and bird lovers alike.
Thanks Ria, really glad you enjoyed it. I visited South Africa a quite a few years ago, and I was amazed by all the beautiful flora and fauna. Lovely to hear that ‘our’ little wagtails made such an impression!
I love your writings and drawings - they are such a lovely way to feel in touch with what’s happening in Irish nature even while living far away. I appreciate learning the difference between whimbrel and curlew!
I’m from the Pacific Northwest of the states and living there now (on an island near Seattle—the climate is quite similar to Ireland much of the year!), with family in Mayo. I’m slooowly learning Irish species and always get excited when there are crossovers like nettle, hawthorn, painted ladies, and others with native species/variants in both places 💚 I learn nature by drawing, and your drawings feel very friendly and helpful in learning the plants and animals too.
Yes, I think the climate is very similar, but always interesting how the flora and fauna can be different (& sometimes the same!). It can be a little confusing as sometimes ‘old world’ names have been used for ‘new world’ species, but they are actually completely different. I think learning by drawing is the best way 😊
This is such a wonderful article, Louisa. There is so much to see in your part of Ireland. I love the video of the skylark singing, I've not heard one in person before. I think the great tit nesting in the letterbox is quite amusing but also ingenious. There are no big predators making their way in that little slot. I actually witnessed a magpie take a baby swallow from it's nest this morning. I was shocked to see it but I guess that's nature. I'm sorry this comment is turning into an article itself but I also wanted to say how much I love your art style. Everything is so beautiful 😍
Thanks Sarah, I really appreciate your long comment! I enjoyed writing these posts, as it has directed me to focus a bit more on what is going on around me (and seek out these nice places). Nature is wonderful, but everyone has to eat!
Such lovely drawings, thank you for sharing the stories behind each of them. It truly felt like visiting another world.
Where I live in the US, May is when we have the return of the migrating song birds. We put out sliced oranges and grape jelly to entice the Baltimore Orioles. There are countless warblers such as the Northern Yellow, Black and White, and the Tennessee. A walk in a wooded area in the morning is a symphony.
In the garden, the Bearded Iris are Lupines are blooming and many other types of flowers are slowly but surely making their way up and out, awaiting their time to shine.
Super Art work - Whimbrel brilliant I think i have missed them this year, like you we watched a flock all week in May last year, like yours they were just passing through.
Your work is very beautiful and also informative
Thanks Angela, really glad you enjoyed it 😊
Thank you for this beautifully written and illustrated article. It's so nice to hear what is going on in the Northern Hemisphere, while living in the south. I was so excited to see the Gray Wagtail made its appearance. We were so lucky here on the Southern Coast of South Africa last summer, with 2 lone Gray Wagtails making their appearance in the Botanical Gardens. They were very far off their course and brought so much joy to photographers and bird lovers alike.
Thanks Ria, really glad you enjoyed it. I visited South Africa a quite a few years ago, and I was amazed by all the beautiful flora and fauna. Lovely to hear that ‘our’ little wagtails made such an impression!
I love your writings and drawings - they are such a lovely way to feel in touch with what’s happening in Irish nature even while living far away. I appreciate learning the difference between whimbrel and curlew!
Thanks Annie, really glad you enjoy reading 😊 Where abouts in the world are you?
I’m from the Pacific Northwest of the states and living there now (on an island near Seattle—the climate is quite similar to Ireland much of the year!), with family in Mayo. I’m slooowly learning Irish species and always get excited when there are crossovers like nettle, hawthorn, painted ladies, and others with native species/variants in both places 💚 I learn nature by drawing, and your drawings feel very friendly and helpful in learning the plants and animals too.
Yes, I think the climate is very similar, but always interesting how the flora and fauna can be different (& sometimes the same!). It can be a little confusing as sometimes ‘old world’ names have been used for ‘new world’ species, but they are actually completely different. I think learning by drawing is the best way 😊
Love your posts.
Thanks so much Thea, so please you enjoy them 😊
This is such a wonderful article, Louisa. There is so much to see in your part of Ireland. I love the video of the skylark singing, I've not heard one in person before. I think the great tit nesting in the letterbox is quite amusing but also ingenious. There are no big predators making their way in that little slot. I actually witnessed a magpie take a baby swallow from it's nest this morning. I was shocked to see it but I guess that's nature. I'm sorry this comment is turning into an article itself but I also wanted to say how much I love your art style. Everything is so beautiful 😍
Thanks Sarah, I really appreciate your long comment! I enjoyed writing these posts, as it has directed me to focus a bit more on what is going on around me (and seek out these nice places). Nature is wonderful, but everyone has to eat!
Such lovely drawings, thank you for sharing the stories behind each of them. It truly felt like visiting another world.
Where I live in the US, May is when we have the return of the migrating song birds. We put out sliced oranges and grape jelly to entice the Baltimore Orioles. There are countless warblers such as the Northern Yellow, Black and White, and the Tennessee. A walk in a wooded area in the morning is a symphony.
In the garden, the Bearded Iris are Lupines are blooming and many other types of flowers are slowly but surely making their way up and out, awaiting their time to shine.
Thanks so much Renee. You have so many more birds in the US, and very colourful ones to - your woodland walks sound delightful.
Super Art work - Whimbrel brilliant I think i have missed them this year, like you we watched a flock all week in May last year, like yours they were just passing through.
Thanks Mark. Luckily their arrival coincided with some good weather, so we had plenty of beach walks to see them.
Your drawings are beautiful 😍
Thank you so much Eliza, glad you like them!
Thank you so much, I’m glad you enjoyed it ☺️