The Meaning of Shadows on Water
What we see when we look at water is rarely water. It may be a reflection of the sky, if we’re looking across it, or…
Tag: shade
Which Way Are We Walking in North Wales?
Clues in the mud colours, wildflowers and more… Mud in ruts is wetter and darker on shaded south side. Wildflowers more common in south-facing spots.…
Which Way Are We Walking? Ibiza Edition
Which direction are we walking in the video below? Hint…There are clues in the sun, plants and water. Answer… Spoiler alert… The sun is mid-height,…
Tree Trunks Lean Away From Buildings
Tree trunks lean away from the shade of buildings and towards the light. This habit tends to override the normal biases towards southern light, because…
What is a Double Frost?
A double frost forms when a layer of frost forms on top of an earlier frost. If the conditions are right for frost to form…
Temperature Changes in Woodland
The trees we walk under have a dramatic effect on the temperature we feel. I passed from broadleaf trees to conifers and felt the temperature…
The North Side, The South Side
The North side of the logs… The South side of the logs. You might also enjoy: Natural Navigation Using Snow on Trees What is a…
Which Way Are We Looking? Ivy Edition
Which direction are we looking in the image above? Answer: We are looking… West. The five best clues are: The ivy stem has grown away…
The Common or Dog Violet
The Common dog-violet – Viola riviniana – flowers in spring, from April to June. (The ‘dog’ part of the name refers to its lack of…
The Grass is Greener in Shade
It is tempting to believe that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. After long spells of hot, dry weather in…
Sharpening Skills at the Start and End of the Day
Just before you see the sun rise in the morning or just after it has set for you in the evening, try to work out…
Those ‘Clever’ Plants
Plants have no brain or central nervous system, so calling them ‘clever’ might sound a bit stupid. But… plants do achieve some remarkable things. Plants…
Wildflower Ways
It is an exciting time of year, there is a lot of vernal energy pent up, all coiled and ready to leap over the barrier…
Where the Wildflowers Are
Walking through a narrow, predominantly damp and shady deciduous woodland yesterday afternoon I was suddenly greeted by sunshine on my right cheek and a group…