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The Blue Ground Beetle (Carabus Intricatus): A Marvel of Nature’s Elegance

Winter is slowly coming to an end, but it is still very cold outside. On one of my recent walks through the woods, I came across the rather rare sight, when I spotted a Blue Ground Beetle (Carabus Intricatus) walking on the forest floor. While Blue Ground Beetles are known to hibernate during the winter … Continue reading “The Blue Ground Beetle (Carabus Intricatus): A Marvel of Nature’s Elegance”

Common Cluster Flies Copulating (Pollenia Rudis)

Spring has not yet arrived; we are still officially in the grip of winter. However, despite the lingering chill in the air, when the clouds part and the sun is granted permission to bathe the environment in its rejuvenating rays, the unexpected warmth draws out the early explorers. Among these are the Common Cluster Flies … Continue reading “Common Cluster Flies Copulating (Pollenia Rudis)”

Mezereon (Daphne Mezereum) – Poisonous Shrub Blooming in February

As winter’s frosty grip begins to loosen, and the promise of spring whispers through the chilled air, a delicate yet potent bloom emerges to mark the transition. Meet the Mezereon, also known as February Daphne (Daphne Mezereum), a fascinating and poisonous shrub that defiantly blossoms before winter has fully relented, often before any other plant … Continue reading “Mezereon (Daphne Mezereum) – Poisonous Shrub Blooming in February”

Black Witches Butter (Exidia Glandulosa) – Hardy Fungus Which Prefers the Cold

In the depths of winter, when the world seems draped in a blanket of snow and the chill of the season is palpable, nature reveals its resilience in unexpected ways. Amidst the frozen landscapes, a peculiar organism thrives, defying the harsh conditions with its eerie presence. Meet Exidia Glandulosa, commonly known as Black Witches Butter, … Continue reading “Black Witches Butter (Exidia Glandulosa) – Hardy Fungus Which Prefers the Cold”

Smiley Vixen Found Dead – I Buried My Woodland Friend

I found a dead fox in the woods – it was my woodland friend Smiley Vixen. Instead of letting her rot exposed to the elements, I gave her a dignified farewell by burying her. My heart is shattered 🙁 I monitored the cute female Red Fox (Vulpes Vulpes) with my trail camera for a while. … Continue reading “Smiley Vixen Found Dead – I Buried My Woodland Friend”

10 Fascinating Facts About Red Velvet Mites (Trombidium Holosericeum)

Here are 10 interesting facts about the Red Velvet Mites (Trombidium Holosericeum): Classification: Red Velvet Mites are arachnids. They belong to the class Arachnida, which includes spiders, scorpions, ticks, and of course… mites. Arachnids are characterized by having eight legs, two main body segments (cephalothorax and abdomen), and no antennae. Red Velvet Mites share these … Continue reading “10 Fascinating Facts About Red Velvet Mites (Trombidium Holosericeum)”

Red Velvet Mites (Trombidium Holosericeum) and Their Love Affair with My Trail Cameras

I love the outdoors and go to the woods every day. I have a few trail cameras set up in the forest to monitor the animal activity, and one day I noticed a mite on the trail camera which is by the side entrance to the Injured Badger’s Sett. It was a Red Velvet Mite … Continue reading “Red Velvet Mites (Trombidium Holosericeum) and Their Love Affair with My Trail Cameras”

First Diary Entry of Nutmeg the Squirrel – Harvesting Hornbeam Catkins in Winter

I decided to give the adorable Red Squirrel (Sciurus Vulgaris) who had a stare-down contest with me recently a name. He’s gonna be “Nutmeg“. This video is a cute and inspiring story narrated from the perspective of Nutmeg the Squirrel, who survives the winter by feeding on Hornbeam catkins (Carpinus Betulus), and has to watch … Continue reading “First Diary Entry of Nutmeg the Squirrel – Harvesting Hornbeam Catkins in Winter”

Understanding Coral Spot Fungus (Nectria Cinnabarina) – The Scarlet Threat

Coral Spot Fungus (Nectria Cinnabarina) stands as a notable and widespread fungal pathogen, impacting a diverse array of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs. Identified by its vibrant coral or orange-red spore-producing structures, this fungus induces small, sunken cankers on infected branches, often accompanied by the exudation of a red, gelatinous substance during periods of … Continue reading “Understanding Coral Spot Fungus (Nectria Cinnabarina) – The Scarlet Threat”

Tales from the Porch of Smiley Vixen – Lounging Serenely Amidst Distress Calls

Smiley Vixen lives in a den right beside the sett of the Injured Badger. With snow on the ground, she carefully treads as she goes in or comes out of the den. The entrance is on a slope, but as a quadruped animal, she navigates the terrain with ease. Sometimes, when she’s out of her … Continue reading “Tales from the Porch of Smiley Vixen – Lounging Serenely Amidst Distress Calls”