Scarce Swallowtails Pollinating Field Thistle with Widow-Maker Creaking in Background

The Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides Podalirius) is one of the largest butterflies in Central Europe. It was once quite bountiful, but is getting rarer and rarer. This year is a severe drought year, but despite the growing scarcity of the Scarce Swallowtail, I see them from time to time on the meadows. On my latest run … Continue reading “Scarce Swallowtails Pollinating Field Thistle with Widow-Maker Creaking in Background”

Shikimic Acid and Other Health Benefits of Pine Needle Tea

I have a bunch of pine trees growing all around me. Most of them, the ones growing within the woods, are too tall and their crowns are at least a dozen meters off the ground. But the ones growing on the fringes of the forest have their crowns within easy reach and I regularly visit … Continue reading “Shikimic Acid and Other Health Benefits of Pine Needle Tea”