I went snorkeling at a new spot nearby. It is fast becoming my favorite spot. Lots of seabed rocks, plenty of seaweed, clear water, and nary another soul in sight. I found Corkwing wrasse (Symphodus melops) and European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), but the best find was when I was trying to get out of my wetsuit. Something moved, and I was able to get a lovely Giant Riverbank Wolf Spider to pose for a few pictures.

#SeaWeedForest #Ocean #Snorkeling #MarineBiology
#WildlifePhotography #Wildlife #Spider


It has been a busy, busy year. And the best month of mothing has just started.
I have been haunting a local nature preserve called Kær Vestermark. I used to call it the grass desert, because it was close to a larger city, and the conservation efforts seemed to mostly be about conserving a nice area with cut lawns for dogwalkers and pedestrians. It has changed for the better in recent years, with cattle grazing and new ponds for amphibians.
The decline in moth numbers is concerning, though. I catch smaller numbers than I did four years ago, despite upgrading both gear and location. Last year I chalked it up to a wet spring, the year before that, a cold summer. This year....it's depressing.
I find species I haven't seen before, that is awesome, but some species, that used to be common as dirt, are showing up in smaller numbers or missing entirely.

#Entomology #Insects #Lepidoptera #Mothing #MothsMatter #Pollinators #MothsAndButterflies #WildlifePhotography #iNaturalist #Wildlife #Nature


Dead Things


So..uhm..I collect dead things. I don't kill them, but if I find dead insects or roadkill, I often bring them home for further study. Larger creatures are put in rotting cages to observe carrion beetles, and to collect the skulls and bones later. Smaller ones are kept as wet specimens, or if they are dry, in airtight containers.
Occasionally, the container is not airtight enough or the dry specimen wasn't as dry as I thought, and today something was stinking up the place something awful....
I thought there was a dead insect that was rotting as I sat down to sort and catalog my latest finds, but I couldn't find it despite sniffing around. When I went to open the window for some fresh air, an involuntary squueeee escaped me. My carrion flower is in bloom. That was what was stinking up the room😂
#CarrionFlower #Stapelia #Orbea


The Royal Danish Summer Ballet in Augustenborg Palace Park.
I usually go if they dance anywhere near me, because the Summer ballet is free, they are some very talented young dancers, and it looks like they are having fun.
Please don't ask what they were doing, I only recognized a pas de deux from Swan Lake with the Prince and Odile, as well as another pas de deux with the Prince and Odette, also from Swan Lake. Found the program afterwards and managed to fill in some blanks.
#RoyalDanishBallet #Ballerina #Ballet #Classical




The aluminium saw at work broke down at eight o'clock last night, and I seized the opportunity to end my shift early. The purpose was clear. Go home, pick up mothing gear and go hunting 😁 The weather is scheduled to change with colder temperatures and rain coming, so it would be one of the last good nights in May. I caught 47!
47 moths on a cold May night. Despite temperatures dropping down to 2° celsius, they kept on coming.
I heard some bats on the bat detector, scared the living shits out of a fox, and caught a bunch of moths. It's an excellent way of spending the night.
#Entomology #Insects #Lepidoptera #Mothing #MothsMatter #Pollinators #MothsAndButterflies #WildlifePhotography #iNaturalist #Wildlife #Nature #Conservation



Ohhh, you should see it's face then, hang on, I've got a picture somewhere. Nothing but woolly fluff


"This year, I'll definitely clean up the patio, so I can sit there and relax."
Well, I'm halfway. I am sitting there and relaxing...
#NativePlants #Gardening #VildMedVilje



I am a lucky, lucky potato. I took a trip to Stensbæk Hede early this morning. First I found the severed wings of a male Saturnia pavonia -Lille Natpåfugleøje -Emperor Moth. Two minutes later I found a female laying eggs and then another female.

#MothsMatter #Mothing #Lepidoptera #Entemology #iNaturalist


I was just supposed to go to Sønderborg to pick up a bat detector from the Danish Bat Society, and then some supplies from the hardware store.

Then native plants happened. The Danish Society for Nature Conservation has managed to get the supermarket chain Rema1000 to sell native plants every spring and I just happened to drive by. In my defense, I was left unattended😂

#BloomScrolling #NativePlants #Pollinators #Biodiversity #VildMedVilje #Gardening #WildGarden



Buggerit, millennium hand and shrimp! This muppet forgot to bring snacks.
I found one dry muesli bar from last year at the bottom of my backpack, but that didn't last long.
And it's cold out here. Teeth chattering cold. Next time it's woolen kecks, a blanket and mittens.
And a thermos of hot cocoa.
The new moth light gave the half moon a run for its money, but considering the clear skies, it was a good thing I was camped out next to a pond. I caught one..one single solitary moth. Ah well, better days are coming.
#Entomology #Insects #Lepidoptera #Mothing #MothsMatter #Pollinators #MothsAndButterflies
#WildlifePhotography #iNaturalist #Wildlife #Nature #Conservation


The Nature guides at Kær Vestermark were positive to the idea of letting me survey nocturnal butterflies throughout this season. There was a meeting, project and methodology description, a show and tell of my equipment, and the moths I have registered so far. Very official, and I almost sounded like I knew what I was doing 😁
Today I was supposed to be out scouting access to the locations for this season's mothing.... but then birds happened.
I'll just have to consult the map and bring a bigger torchlight when I start. Probably stumble over fences, get stuck in brambles, and get wet feet when an unexpected bog appears. But worth it, because Birds. And a single fly.

#Birding #Birds #Birdwatching #Ornithology #Entomology #Insects
#WildlifePhotography #iNaturalist #Wildlife #Nature #Conservation


It's in there, I promise:D The first pond was 250 liters, but I quickly upgraded to 500 liters.


The joys of having a wild garden. I've lived here for more than 12 years, and in that time, the garden has gone from trimmed hedges, mowed down grass, and no flowers to an absolute abundance of life.
By my last count, I have observed over 800 species. I do not count most of the plants as they wouldn't be here if I hadn't planted or sown them.
The biggest breakthrough was when I put in a small pond.
Every year, I make small tweaks and improvements, such as adding rotting wood, piles of twigs and branches, stone dikes, clay cobs, and nesting boxes. This year, I think I'll try to clear a small area and mix in some sand to attract more ground-nesting bees and maybe put in another pond if I can find the space for it.

Is there an English equivalent to the Danish VildMedVilje (WildOnPurpose)?


Before picture of the garden. It's nice, tiny, and easy to keep. And boring, so utterly dull, boring and lifeless


After picture of the garden. Flowers, flowers everywhere. Crawling over the edges, creeping up the walls, spilling out of every crevice

#VildMedVilje #WildOnPurpose #Bloomscrolling #Biodiversity #Pollinators #PollinatorFriendly #Garden #NativePlants


I got an invitation to join a group of local naturalists to see if there was a population of Sand lizards (Lacerta agilis) on a neighbouring peninsula. We didn't find any unfortunately, but as always there was plenty of other things to see. Near the lighthouse we found an appletree that had fallen down the cliff during the last storm and I jokingly called it a Malus prostrata. I got all warm and fuzzy inside, when that joke was not only understood but also elicited chuckles all around. Hanging out with people can be nice sometimes🙂

#iNaturalist #Nature #Conservation #Biodiversity #BloomScrolling


The postman brought me the entertainment for the next couple of days. Is the weekend here soon?

"There are worlds out there where the sky is burning, and the sea's asleep, and the rivers dream; people made of smoke and cities made of song. Somewhere there's danger, somewhere there's injustice, and somewhere else the tea's getting cold. Come on, Ace. We've got work to do." -The Doctor

#DoctorWho #Whovian #DontBlink #BowtiesAreCool #CareForAJellyBaby #FiveRoundsRapid #ReverseThePolarity #OhMyGiddyAunt




"In ancient times cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this." Terry Pratchett


It being #Caturday I thought I would introduce my four ladies.
When the last of my old cats died in surgery, the house suddenly felt empty and dead. There was no weight making my legs fall asleep when I was reading in the library, I had the duvet to myself, and no cat hairs in my coffee.
This would not do, so I arranged to visit two local shelters.
At the first shelter, they asked what I was looking for and I said the one that no one wants, whoever needs it the most. I came home with two elderly ladies, Valentina and Serafina who had been at the shelter for years.
Valentina because she was reserved and withdrawn, Serafina because she was pretty much feral.
At the second shelter they asked what I was looking for and I said the one that no one wants, whoever needs it the most
I came home with two young siblings Nikita and Nova. None of them were too happy about humans and were unlikely to be adopted out anytime soon.

Valentina is a headstrong, stubborn, square and dignified lady. She had me trained to cater to her whims within a week and is finally deciding that I might not be the worst butler. She might even like me but don't tell anyone. Will hiss and spit at any indignity

Serafina was petrified at first. I didn't even see her the first month only heard growling from whichever catcave she was hiding in. What finally brought her out of her shell was toys. She is relishing in the childhood she never had. Boundlessly curious, always following me around the house. Still a little wary of touch but show her a piece of string, a cardboard box, or a feather on a stick and she will play for hours

Nova is probably the most 'normal' of them. Shy at first but after figuring out that opposable thumbs are a prerequisite to opening cans, she has become a real mama's baby. Perpetually loving on me, offering kisses, and talking to elicit canned food. She is always hungry, despite having dry food ad libitum available

Nikita is probably the hardest case to crack. She shows up at dinnertime but has had very little use for humans otherwise. She mostly stays upstairs, retreating under the bed when anyone comes up the stairs. Does like snacks but only the catnip ones. They are the only thing that will entice her close enough for some pets. Lately she has started coming downstairs to sleep in the bathroom because she likes the heated floor, and Serafina's before-bed playtime also has her interest piqued

#Cats
#CatsOfFediverse
#CatsOfMastodon
#AdoptDontShop
#CrazyCatLady


I didn't see the wolves this time but a visit to Klelund Plantation is never wasted. This time I stumbled upon a beetle I hadn't met before and I caught a glimpse of the elusive Wild Boar.
The wild boar -Sus scrofa was shamefully hunted to extinction in Denmark in 1801. A fence has been erected along the border to keep them out. They are potential carriers of swine flu and this is bacon country. We can't have species around that could threaten our wallets, and farmers in Denmark often get their way at the expense of nature.
There are a few fenced parks where small populations of healthy boars have been introduced,

Typhaeus typhoeus -Trehornet Skarnbasse or the minotaur beetle, is a beetle in the family Geotrupidae, an earth-boring dung beetle. They are native to Europe but unfortunately rare due to the destruction of habitat. They are found in sandy, sunny areas of pine forests or in sandy moorland. Often in areas with high concentrations of Cervus elaphus- Red deer.
Minotaur beetles grow to 15 to 24 mm in length. Their bodies are black and slightly shiny all over, stout and dome-shaped. The elytra have longitudinal grooves with punctures. There are several small spines on each leg. Characteristic of the males are three horns on the pronotum.The beetle is named after the Typhon, a giant of Greek mythology

Sus scrofa -Vildsvin have a coarse coat with thick, short brown/black hairs. They look like they have a hump on their shoulder and a stocky and powerful build.

#WildlifePhotography #iNaturalist #Wildlife #Nature #Conservation #Entomology
#Insects



I sometimes call myself ten-thumbs because my skills as a handywoman are deplorable. But it works, it mostly stays where I put it, and I can't afford to pay a contractor anyway.
I live in a house built in 1823, so it's old, it's crooked and everything breaks. My landlord is.. well... not keen on doing the maintenance nor paying for it, so I patch what I can. The rent is cheap and I like living here because I can have my cats and there is a tiny garden.

The old stairs to the garden were rotted, several steps were missing, and they were slippery AF. Something had to be done.
Two trips to the hardware store and a weekend later...
here is my latest masterpiece 😁

#HandyWoman #DIY #TwoLeftHands #BodgitAndScarper


“He who has been fortunate enough once to behold it is enabled to see closely into his own heart and to read the thoughts of others.” -Jules Verne

It was a freezing, bitterly cold day, but the clear skies promised a lovely sunset. I had a brilliant day birding in Tønder Marsk and wasn't quite ready to end it just yet. So I went to the car, made myself a mug of hot cocoa, picked up a blanket, and sat down on top of the dike to enjoy the last rays of the sun.
Lo and behold it was a decision well worth it because I got to see the rare Green Flash


#TheGreenFlash
#LeRayonVert
#Nature
#Conservation
#Landscapephotography
#Ocean
#Sunset


At the ripe age of 42 I finally buckled and got myself a car. It was secondhand, fuel-efficient and I had to swear off ever flying again and start eating more vegan to, at least somewhat quieten my coal-black carbon conscience.
But boy, my world opened up when I did not have to rely on public transportation to go on adventures.
The first stop was the UNESCO World Heritage Site Tøndermarsk in Denmark.
Dykes, sluices, and pumping stations compete against the tides. The resulting marshes and wetlands attract millions of migratory and indigenous birds and provide breeding and feeding grounds for a variety of birds.

#Birding #Birds #Birdwatching #Ornithology #WildlifePhotography #iNaturalist #Wildlife #Nature #Conservation


There is a privacy about it which no other season gives you…. In spring, summer and fall people sort of have an open season on each other; only in the winter, in the country, can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself. ~ Ruth Stout


#Ocean #Grayscale #Monochrome #Winter #FishingBoats



I feel lucky to work the evening shift, especially in winter. I did a brief stint on the day shift recently because I had started a new job and the trainer was on day shift. How they survive the winter without a depression, baffles me. It's dark when they get up and dark again when they go home. I had to leave early to catch the sunset at Dyvig, Als, Denmark.

#Nature #Sunset #LandscapePhotography



Last night I heard a blackbird sing...spring is coming, and with spring comes an abundance of moths. Mothing is a favourite pastime of mine. This year I have upgraded my gear, and found some new alluring spots to spend nighttime looking for new wonderful critters. It will occasionally be very cold, I will get stung by mosquitoes, bitten by ticks and my back will be killing me for lugging all that gear off the trail. But seeing a badger come closer out of curiosity, having bats swooping low over my head, hearing owls calling, foxes barking, and on top of that, coming home with a memory-card bursting with pictures of beautiful moths.. that just makes me check the forecast twice a day. How soon can I go again.

#Mothing #MothWatching #Wildlife #inaturalist

[url=https://friendica.world/photos/natteheks/image/120007438267a545fecfe86463637076]


One of the best birding spots in my area is Bundsø.
It was dammed up in 1590, and completely drained to be turned into farmland in 1850.
In 1980, the drinking water reserves on our island were so damaged, that it was decided to flood the lake again.
This being Denmark, progress was slower than a herd of turtles, but finally, in 2015 the drainpump was shut down.
Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation bought it in 2019, so hopefully, it will stay safe and free.
#Birding #Conservation #Nature #Wildlife #Biodiversity