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”

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”

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”

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”

Cold-Blooded Wolf Spider and Snow Flea Encountered on Snow in Winter

The saga of unlikely creatures to come cross in the middle of winter continues with the encounter of a small spider, presumably a Wolf Spider and a Snow Flea. Nature truly is fascinating, as it showcases the unexpected resilience of its inhabitants in sub-zero temperatures. This year’s winter, much as the entire year, has been … Continue reading “Cold-Blooded Wolf Spider and Snow Flea Encountered on Snow in Winter”

Wrinkled Club Fungus (Clavulina Rugosa) – My First #shorts Video Ever

This is my first attempt at a #shorts video ever. I do not record vertical, so the original video is horizontal the way the human eyes are. I used Shotcut – an open sourced video editing software to cut the edges off the video to make it vertical for the shorts. I also trimmed it … Continue reading “Wrinkled Club Fungus (Clavulina Rugosa) – My First #shorts Video Ever”

Earthworm Defies Winter and Crawls on Snow in -12 Degrees Celsius

I take daily strolls through the woods, winter or not, – that one is obvious – and on a recent walk in -12 Degrees Celsius freeze, with the entire environment blanketed by snow, I spotted an unlikely creature to encounter this time of year. An earthworm was up on the freezing snow, very well alive … Continue reading “Earthworm Defies Winter and Crawls on Snow in -12 Degrees Celsius”

Winter Crane Fly (Trichocera Annulata) – Insect That Flies in Freeze and Snow

Even though their name suggests that these insects are adapted for life in winter, it still surprises me to see Winter Crane Flies (Trichocera Annulata) flying about in the depths of it. I take regular, every day strolls through the woods – no poop – but even when I go when the outdoor temperatures are … Continue reading “Winter Crane Fly (Trichocera Annulata) – Insect That Flies in Freeze and Snow”

Pipe Club Fungus (Macrotyphula Fistulosa) Emerges from Snow in Middle of Winter

In the quiet and often overlooked corners of winter landscapes, a fascinating organism thrives, defying the cold and snow. The Pipe Club Fungus, scientifically known as Macrotyphula Fistulosa, is among the lesser-known nature’s wonders, but its distinctive appearance and in this case, the ability to thrive in freezing conditions, captivated my attention. The vast and … Continue reading “Pipe Club Fungus (Macrotyphula Fistulosa) Emerges from Snow in Middle of Winter”