iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Richard Bradford @dorsetandbeyond.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

Wonderful veteran Sweet Chestnut by the Pony Path at Ty Nant, below Cadair Idris. A celebration of this week's #thicktrunktuesday from Gwynedd.

Veteran Sweet Chestnut coming into leaf by the edge of a stony path heading up Cadair Idris in north Wales. A large branch from the tree lies behind it. Blue sky, with April clouds.

191

Reposted by Richard Bradford

Megan Gimber (Hedge Geek) @favcolourgreen.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

Thank you @phoebeweston.bsky.social for such a wonderful and optimistic article on Hedgerows! It's great to celebrate the wonders we have, appreciate the legacy, and use that to inform our combined future www.theguardian.com/environment/...

theguardian.com

Like the Ritz for wildlife: the joy of recreating England’s ancient hedges

Up and down the country, volunteers are coming together to plant more of these nature-rich reserves

1278

Reposted by Richard Bradford

British Gardening History @britgardhistory.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

Blossom is so often overlooked when we choose a new apple tree, but as this wonderful montage from @thepackingshedtamar on IG shows, some varieties have especially beautiful flowers. Scent also varies greatly from variety to variety.

512432

Reposted by Richard Bradford

Richard K Broughton @richardkbroughton.bsky.social · 09/04/2025

It's been a hell of a spring for Blackthorn. Anyone doing aerial remote sensing (drone or plane) of woodland, hedgerow or rewilding habitats in past 10 days would have a bonus of easily mapping this pollen/nectar resource. Hawthorn might do the same favour when it flowers later this/next month.

611814

Reposted by Richard Bradford

Ian Denton @iand777.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

The Orange-tips were seeking out the Cuckoo flowers, (Cardamine pratensis) in the River Frome water meadows today. #butterflies #botany @dorsetandbeyond.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social

2402

Reposted by Richard Bradford

Brigit Strawbridge @brigitstrawbridge.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

I'm currently reading Michael McCarthy's wonderful book 'Say Goodbye to the Cuckoo', so over the moon that he's coming to speak on 24th April in #Shaftesbury, #Dorset. A perfect excuse to visit friends. Tickets available, but limited, so book soon: www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/fol... #birds

1163

Richard Bradford @dorsetandbeyond.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

Glorious twisted oak by the Dorset Frome at Stinsford to celebrate this week's #thicktrunktuesday.

View up the twisted trunk of an old oak tree, first bend to the right and then to the left. Some of the trunk is moss- covered. Blue sky above.

1563

Richard Bradford @dorsetandbeyond.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

Blackthorn spring in Dorchester this week. The Cherry Plum blossom is beginning to fade leaving its confetti on the ground. The path by Ten Hatches, today.

A gravel path winds between flowering Blackthorn under a blue sky. Thin clouds at a high level, with a soft wind from the east behind you.

070

Richard Bradford @dorsetandbeyond.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

A Plane in Dunster Park to celebrate this week's #thicktrunktuesday.

Looking up the trunk of a Plane tree in early spring. Warm brown bark, branches curled and twisted for some reason. No leaves emerged yet. Blue sky with high clouds beyond.

1140

Richard Bradford @dorsetandbeyond.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

Meanwhile, 2km downstream, this. 📷 One of several courses of the Dorset Frome at Kingston Maurward.

The river flows from the midground across all the foreground, its flow partly interrupted by the trunk of a tree fallen from the bank on the right.

Pale winter sun, blue sky with some cloud. Fresh green amongst last year's brown- green. Trees still with now leaves.

141

Richard Bradford @dorsetandbeyond.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

Friday morning at Hangman's Weir on the Dorset Frome, 400m from Dorchester's High Street.

Early morning sun behind willow trees on the bank of the Dorset Frome brings gold to the river. Trees darkly silhouetted against the blue sky. Mist rises from the river. Cold, ground frosted.

1945

Reposted by Richard Bradford

Brigit Strawbridge @brigitstrawbridge.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

'Another Old Chestnut' - etching by Kent based artist and printmaker, Claire Longley More of this artist's stunning work, here: clairelongley.com #art #landscape #trees #treeart #nature

Etching of an ancient Chestnut tree in autumn/winter field with 4 sheep

124932

Reposted by Richard Bradford

Annie Worsley @annieworsley.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

A gentle alternative to all the mayhem? Look to nature... and #naturewriting It's a joy to work with Kirsteen Bell & share stories of our Scottish Highland homes. Here's our latest in the series 'Croft, Coast & Hill: letters from the NW Highlands' www.caughtbytheriver.net/2025/02/crof...

0468

Reposted by Richard Bradford

Helen Day @lbflyawayhome.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

Other work of the Ladybird artists ‘The riverbank’ Artist: Rowland Hilder

A stark, stylishly simple watercolour of a river edged with willow and celandine. The water is very smooth and reflective of the white sky and the whole picture is in very muted tones

125633

Reposted by Richard Bradford

Brigit Strawbridge @brigitstrawbridge.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

Chalk Ridge - etching, by contemporary British landscape painter and printmaker, Kathleen Caddick #art #etching

Sepia colours, low winter sun through bare trees... alongside still river, or lake

011110

Reposted by Richard Bradford

Helen Day @lbflyawayhome.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

“Heavy rains that often fall in February have flooded the low-lying meadows in the broad valley.” ‘What to Look for in Winter’, 1959 Artist: CF Tunnicliffe Writer: EL Grant Watson

Watercolour illustration of a flooded field and path

337260

Reposted by Richard Bradford

Caught by the River @caughtbytheriver.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

The gaps in our knowledge about eels are fertile places for art and ideas to grow, writes Peter Rogers, as he releases a new eel-inspired EP buff.ly/40YbnhM

092

Richard Bradford @dorsetandbeyond.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

The Haydon Oak in Sherborne Deer Park. One of Dorset's ancients - in celebration of this week's #thicktrunktuesday. 📷 February 2023.

Massive trunk of an ancient pedunculate oak amongst younger trees. The trunk is gnarled, twisted with several big burrs. The oak is no longer alive but it now contains a myriad of other insects and fungi which are making good use of the timber.

The tree is by a public footpath in Sherborne Deer Park, Dorset.

0434

Richard Bradford @dorsetandbeyond.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

Today we celebrate #WorldWetlandsDay2025 from the Dorset Frome and its floodplains. Join us to explore the river, its braids, meanders and backwaters, ponds, scrapes and soggy margins, flood meadows and veteran trees.

View over West Ward Common upstream of Dorchester. The Dorset Frome meanders through the floodplains and old water meadows. The river is blue under the clear sky.

1262

Reposted by Richard Bradford

Brigit Strawbridge @brigitstrawbridge.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

Coastal Path (Inspired by breezy walks along the South West coast path) - by Dorset illustrator and graphic designer, Laurie King More of this artist's work, here: #landscapes #routes #art #Dorset

Large expanse of pale blue sky. Sea right, hills left and a winding path ahead.

116413

Richard Bradford @dorsetandbeyond.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

Song Thrush calling nearby. A summoning, a reminder maybe. 📷 Old water meadows by the Dorset Frome this morning.

Sun rising on the horizon brings an early light to the old water meadows. Water in the foreground, with a stream taking water away, back to the Dorset Frome. Silhouettes of winter trees frame the foreground. Song Thrush calls nearby.

050

Richard Bradford @dorsetandbeyond.bsky.social · 14/01/2025

"If ever one examines the processes of nature then very few of them happen in a hurry." Mark Cocker writing in 'Claxton'. 📷 The old water meadows to the north of Dorchester this morning.

A pool of water has formed in the foreground, draining towards the distant hedge. Mist rises from water to the right. January colours muted. Sky a mix of grey and pales shades of gold. Mallard calling nearby.

070

Reposted by Richard Bradford

Brigit Strawbridge @brigitstrawbridge.bsky.social · 14/01/2025

"As I sobbed in front of my computer screen during one of our online sessions, mumbling about turtle doves (the bird most likely to be the next extinction in the UK), he said: “Do something.” He gave me three rules: make it simple, immediate and collaborative...." #volunteering #action #WorthaRead!

18820

Richard Bradford @dorsetandbeyond.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

Blue Bridge, where three rivers meet. One has water from the Cerne, one from the Frome, the other not named on OS maps. Downstream the water is blended, as always.

View along Blue Bridge and the river to the north of Dorchester. The bridge has blue lattice balustrades, hence its name. A brick pillar on the right bank describes its history. The sun shines under blue skies with a few distant clouds and vapour trails. A wren calls nearby.

070

Richard Bradford @dorsetandbeyond.bsky.social · 07/01/2025

The ancient and remarkable Rowan on Twyn y Gaer towards the end of last year. In celebration of this week's #thicktrunktuesday.

The thick trunk of an ancient Rowan stands on its own in the middle ground, in front of a band of fog. The foreground is cropped common land, olive green. The horizon shows the mountain range of the Brecon Beacons. The sky is clear blue, with a hint that the sun is shining nearby.

0273

Richard Bradford @dorsetandbeyond.bsky.social · 28/12/2024

Looking westwards. View over the mist from Tywn y Gaer. Time to think.

Low level mist fills the valley floor and reflects the blue sky. Hills, olive green and burnt umber, stretch into the mist. Everything appears still, sounds muffled.

010

Richard Bradford @dorsetandbeyond.bsky.social · 27/12/2024

Time beyond Dorset. View south from the hillfort on Twyn y Gaer today. Beautiful.

Mountainous landscape, with low mist below the distant peaks of the Brecon Beacons. Bracken's dark brown in the foreground, with field boundaries and trees giving deep shade. Sun and blue sky contrast to the sombre shade of the high ground.

0251

Reposted by Richard Bradford

Caught by the River @caughtbytheriver.bsky.social · 21/12/2024

'I long for a decent winter solstice. But whether or not it comes, I will go to the coast anyway and watch the shortest day die away, even if the sun sets in a disappointment of greys'. Crofters @annieworsley.bsky.social & Kirsteen Bell share their solstice preparations buff.ly/3VKphB5

Handwritten excerpts from Annie and Kirsteen's letters, surrounded by holly and a candle almost burnt down to the end.

0225

Reposted by Richard Bradford

VenetiaJane’s Garden @venetiajane.bsky.social · 21/12/2024

“‘Tis the year’s midnight…” - John Donne. #WinterSolstice

A collage of eight pictures of botanical subjects photographed in December. These include red rose hips, green hazel catkin buds, dried hornbeam samaras, sticky burrs, a frond of bracken, red bittersweet berries, a wayfaring tree bud and ash tree twig with a black, hoof-like terminal bud.

413536

Reposted by Richard Bradford

Brigit Strawbridge @brigitstrawbridge.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

'S'.... is for Starling! This fabulous murmuration is by Annie Ovenden - one of my favourite artists You can see more of this artist's stunning work, here: cattogallery.co.uk/artists/anni... #AlphabetBirds #birdart #birds #art🪶

Murmuration of starlings over ploughed field and winter trees

728339

Richard Bradford @dorsetandbeyond.bsky.social · 19/12/2024

Early morning alternative. The Dorset Frome downstream of Blue Bridge, the overhead sounds of two mute swans gently fading.

Swift moving river in the foreground, steely grey with a hint of pink orange from the early sun.

Strong silhouette of bankside willows.

Blue grey sky with a hint of pink in the clouds.

080

Reposted by Richard Bradford

Laura Parker @lauraparker.bsky.social · 19/12/2024

"The trees stand naked, shivering in their ivy innerwear..." Vivid post Storm Darragh account on Guardian Country Diary

011

Reposted by Richard Bradford

Brigit Strawbridge @brigitstrawbridge.bsky.social · 19/12/2024

'T' is for.... Turtle Dove! This charming woodblock print is by British painter and printmaker, Jean Armitage (1895-1988) #AlphabetBirds #birdart #birds #art🪶

A pair of Turtle doves sitting on a branch - one facing, the other with its back to us. In muted colours

420123

Reposted by Richard Bradford

wildflowerhour @wildflowerhour.bsky.social · 16/12/2024

For a little extra fun this week! Can you find a wild or naturalised plant that’s going all out for the festive season & really getting its Christmas on?! If you can, share your pics this Sunday 8-9pm for #WildflowerHour using the hashtag #FestivePlants! 🎄🎅🏻❄️✨

05319

Richard Bradford @dorsetandbeyond.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

Small patch of seasonal wetland by the Dorset Frome at Ten Hatches. Sits in a meander, not grazed by domestic stock and prone to abundant Himalayan Balsam. Healthy patches of blackthorn and willow scrub adjacent. A little gentle tlc might help.

Wetland in the foreground, with a mix of open water, yellow-brown reeds and scrub. Dorchester can just be seen in the background, across the river and old water meadows (which cannot be seen!). Blue sky and high clouds.

020

Reposted by Richard Bradford

Brigit Strawbridge @brigitstrawbridge.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

'L' is for.... Long-tailed tit! This delightful field sketch is by Dartmoor artist and naturalist, John Walters @johnwalterswildife.bsky.social #AlphabetBirds #birdart #birds #art🪶

Three long-tailed tits foraging on wild clematis

724523

Richard Bradford @dorsetandbeyond.bsky.social · 10/12/2024

Early Tuesday light over the old water meadows to the north of Dorchester.

Old water meadows in the foreground are without light, just a hint of green. Background hedge and trees silhouette against a sumdgy sky of blue, blue-grey and orange. Scene changes quickly under the northern wind.

030

Reposted by Richard Bradford

VenetiaJane’s Garden @venetiajane.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

A story tells of the little mice seeking shelter from a forest fire. The Douglas fir swept them up and kept them safe inside its fir cones. Still to this day if you look carefully, you can see their little feet and tails poking out from between the scales of the cone. #FolkloreSunday #nature

Collage of three close-up photos of fir cones. The brown cones have protrusions coming out between the scales like the back feet and tail of a mouse.

313730

Richard Bradford @dorsetandbeyond.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

Good to see Dorchester's Riverside nature reserve wetting up after recent rain and high river levels. This seasonal pond, which is dry most of the year, can now fill your boots.

Muted colours of autumn. Grey-green and yellow-brown in the wetlands. Steel grey in the shallow pond. Almost black in the silhouette of willows.

More movement in the sky with glimpses of blue behind the cotton-wool clouds.

040

Richard Bradford @dorsetandbeyond.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

"Thriving in among the oak and chestnut, this wych elm is green-furred and almost animate, bulked up in its winter overcoat" Lovely #naturewriting by Mark Cocker in the Guardian's Country Diary www.theguardian.com/environment/...

The wych elm, covered with mosses and lichens, its branches growing every which way, can be seen amongst a tangle of other trees.

081

Reposted by Richard Bradford

Adam Sharp @adamcsharp.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

The meanings of the word for a wren, from eight different languages... 8. Little walnut (Bulgarian) 7. Little bird in the ditch (Japanese) 6. Thumbling (Finnish) 5. Fence-skedaddler (Danish) 4. Fence-master (Hebrew) 3. Druid bird (Irish) 2. Mouse-brother (Faroese) 1. Little king of winter (Dutch)

Photo of a tubby little wren (what I like to call a "little dumpling birb") perched on an icy branch, taken by Jeff Cohen

17738581082

Richard Bradford @dorsetandbeyond.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

And then on Wednesday morning, market day, this... 📷 The Dorset Frome downstream of Blue Bridge.

Orange-pink sky at dawn is reflected in the river when it flows swiftly between the bankside willows. A faint mist can be seen rising from the river.

1453

Reposted by Richard Bradford

Sarah Lambert @sarahlambert7.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

Day 4 of #ArtAdventCalendar - Fen Barn Owl - January 2024 One of the joys of the fen and fen-edge countryside around Peterborough is watching Barn Owls gliding over the flat fields at dusk, hunting for voles. Silent, ghostly, they capture my heart every time... #alteredimage #photography #birds

A ghostly white Barn Owl flying over a fen field coloured in shades of soft green, brown and bluish-grey

28914

Reposted by Richard Bradford

VenetiaJane’s Garden @venetiajane.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

4th December is St. Barbara’s Day. On this day there is an old, countryside tradition of cutting a “Barbara branch” from a cherry tree. The branch is kept in a pot of water by the stove, and if it blossoms by #Christmas the household will have good luck, and a prosperous year will follow. #folklore

A branch of delicate, pale-pink cherry blossom with a dark background of mottle-green, and brown hues, dotted with tiny, white flakes of snow.

68617

Richard Bradford @dorsetandbeyond.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

"The sea is in full swing. The push and pull of the waves on pebbles. The drag: peeling back the beach like Velcro. Wild and independent energy. The roar of the invisible moon..." Beautiful essay by @kathryntann.bsky.social on reaching the sea, cooking and #naturewriting.

010

Richard Bradford @dorsetandbeyond.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

Love this time of year when high river levels reveal the ghost watercourses that were used to irrigate the water meadows. This one, by Henchard's Oak near Ten Hatches on the Dorset Frome, is dry for most of the year.

Shallow ditch in foreground reflects the lighter clouds. An oak tree on the left bank catches the morning sun so its remaining leaves appear golden.

0111