Monday 1 July 2019

30 Days Wild

Throughout June we've been taking part in the month long nature challenge with the Wildlife Trust - 30 Days Wild.  As the name suggests,  the idea is to do a random act of wildness each day for thirty days, in order to feel healthier, happier and better connected with the natural world around us.

As far as challenges go, this one sounded rather appealing. We already spend a lot of our time outdoors, but I thought we could use this month as an opportunity to really take notice of our surroundings and, hopefully, learn a little along the way.

We've been hiking, bird-watching, planting wildflower seeds and sunflowers, tree hugging (and climbing), playing Poohsticks, identifying flowers and examining a whole host of insects and other minibeasts. In the middle of the month we even took part in a wildflower survey with our local Wildlife Trust. Each morning on our way to school Lily has been looking for froghoppers and has been enjoying reading her book on garden bugs, learning all their names and delighting in telling me what they are. We've really enjoyed ourselves and, although we haven't always managed to fit something in to every single day, I think we made up for it at other times.

Here I'm sharing some of the photographs I have taken during the challenge. 





                            
                                    


























J. X








56 comments:

  1. That sounds like a wonderful challenge to take part in, especially when you've got children. It's so good for them to learn about the world in which they live and the fauna and flora that they share it with. The photos show you've been having lots of fun.

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    1. We've really enjoyed it, Jo and I've learned a lot as well. X

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  2. How lovely! When our children were growing up they had great delight from the outdoors. They loved finding froghoppers and still have a great love of nature.

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    1. Lily insists on looking for froghoppers every morning on our way to school. I'm sure some people are wondering what on earth we're doing. X

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  3. Your photos are absolutely stunning!! You really have been taking notice to get those wonderful shots of the bees, butterflies, caterpillars, ladybirds and millipedes. What a fantastic month you've had. Best, Jane x

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    1. Thank you, Jane. It's surprising what you see when you look closer enough. X

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  4. Wonderful! Lily will have loved and learned.

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    1. We both did! Lily has also (gently) prodded and poked. X

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  5. What a wonderful, wonderful adventure for you and your daughter.

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  6. Summertime at its best! Love the daisy-chain.

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    1. It's been a lovely start to our Summer. X

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  7. May I come over to visit? I live in a dry S. Calif. and never see such delight here.

    Just over from Arleen's site.

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  8. Wonderful, simply wonderful xx

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    1. Thank you, Eileen. It's lovely to 'see' you. X

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  9. I agree - just wonderful. Lily is a lucky young lady to have such an amaing mum.
    xx

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    1. I know for sure that I'm the lucky one, Joy. X

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  10. As everyone else beautiful pictures - I noticed Lily's sturdy walking boots - she is a real pro! And now she will have retained a wealth of knowledge during your 30 wild days. Such wonderful adventures I want to come along too. x

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    1. For almost as long as Lily has worn shoes she's worn walking boots. It would be difficult to manage without them around here. We've really enjoyed taking part in the challenge and you would be more than welcome on any of our adventures. X

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  11. Beautiful photos and I love the idea of the wildlife challenge. Loving the daisy photo but I'm sentimental at the moment as I've just had my wedding anniversary and a simple bouquet of daisies tied with a blue ribbon was what I carried on the day. Lily seems to be embracing the challenge too which is awesome. xx Susan

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    1. Oh, that's so lovely. The yellow t-shirt Lily is wearing actually has a large daisy on the front of it, so she was most excited when she discovered the large oxeyes on our walk. X

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  12. Oh well done, particularly on the shot of the painted lady. I really wanted to complete 30 Days Wild this year but a big raincloud stayed over us for so long that in the end I resorted to reading books about nature or looking at it through the window rather than getting out in it. Sigh. It looks as if you really made the most of it. x

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    1. We enjoyed our challenge but it sounds like you still managed to be involved. I hope the rainclouds are moving on and you can get outdoors now. X

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  13. What a fabulous challenge,a wonderful way to learn together and create such amazing memories. Beautiful photos.

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    1. It was such good fun and at times we surprised ourselves with what we were able to discover when we stopped and looked closely. X

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  14. Marvelous project! And what a lovely part of the world, you live in, to do this project in. I'm sure every area has much nature to explore. But it has to be more fun, in your gorgeous area.

    May I ask? Do you have ticks over there? I hope not. We do in this country, and it makes being out in nature, a bit of a fearsome thing, for me. -sigh-

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    1. Thanks WoW. We are very fortunate to have the beautiful countryside on our doorstep.
      Yes, we do have ticks over here, especially where there are sheep and bracken. We always have a quick check when we get back from our walks and so far (touch wood) I've never returned home with one. I regularly apply a flea and tick treatment to Mog. X

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  15. What spectacular photos! I love the ladybug and daisy chains. Your pictures always tell a story. How sweet.

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    1. Thank you, Stephenie. I just try to take random snapshots as we go about our adventures. I'm so pleased you enjoy them. X

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  16. Wonderful pictures of your wildlife month, lots of mini beasts and pretty flowers.

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    1. Thank you, Julie. I didn't post too many minibeast pictures as I know not everyone likes them. X

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  17. What a lovely project in which to take part! Especially with someone like Lily, who enjoys doing such things. I admire how you both engage so much with nature. Loved seeing all the photos, too. :)

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    1. Thank you, Bless. We both learned a lot during the challenge and it was good to get closer to nature this way. X

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  18. Oh Jules … what wonderful photographs you've shared here.
    I have thoroughly enjoyed scrolling up and down (repeatedly) looking at them.

    Wishing you a happy July.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you, Jan. I'm so glad you enjoyed them. X

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    1. The good weather meant we managed to fit a lot in, Jackie. X

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  20. I love your love of the outdoors Jules and I always want to live in the country when I've read your posts :) The photos really capture the flavour of the 30 Days Wild challenge. xx

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    1. Thank you, Suzanne. I'm glad you enjoyed the photographs. X

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  21. What wonderful photos of nature and the outdoors! I love Lily's daisy chain. Happy July!!

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    1. Thank you, Julia. Lily loved the daisy chain and was disappointed that it wasn't going to last. X

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  22. It looks like you all had a lot of fun looking for things in nature, brilliant photos. Years ago I used to sell Usborne Books, I've been looking on the library site but unfortunately it doesn't seem available. I'm not keen on buying a copy but I think it would be an interesting book for children. Cx

    There is a newer version on amazon, but the older copy lets you see inside.
    Book of the Countryside (Usborne Nature Trail) Paperback – 31 - Brin Edwards.

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    1. Thank you so much for this, Cathy, I've just ordered a copy. Amused at a review of someone buying the book for their 'naturist' child. X

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  23. What a great idea, and such bright, clear photographs. I love Lily's daisy chain garland. I used to make them for my little girl too,then later for my granddaughters. I can see that Lily is growing taller!

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    1. Lily is quite tall for her age anyway, but I'm sure the warmer weather has her growing faster. X

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  24. Wonderful photos, Jules! Absolutely loved the ladybird and bumble bee ones, but have to admit, I fast forwarded past the slug, haha! I've never heard of this nature challenge, what a lovely idea and seems like you all had a great time doing it!

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    1. Thank you, Ann. It's a great challenge that anyone can get involved in. I tried to be careful with the minibeasts I included in this post. 😆 X

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  25. Nature is surely abundant and generous around you! Slugs looks interesting, we don't have them around here. My kids used to be so delighted when got to play with ladybugs. The kids are all grown now so I hope granddaughter will get to play with ladybugs someday. I love all these photos!

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    1. Thank you, Angela. Ladybirds are Lily's favourite. She loves to have them walk on her hand as it tickles. X

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  26. A stunning collection, Jules. I wish I had grown up with you as my Mum - you're giving Lily the most amazing experiences. xxx

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    1. Thank you, Jayne. We both really enjoyed the challenge and I'm looking forward to doing it again next year. X

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  27. Jules ~ your photos are amazing!

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    1. Thank you. We had a great time completing the challenge. X

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