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Helen McAra

@hedgerownibbler.bsky.social
546 followers 447 following 325 posts

I run plant & fungi ident courses, helping people reconnect with nature & discover the amazing wild foods of the UK. Nature lover especially wild orchids. Often found in woods & meadows hunting for inner peace and fungi. Wild Seasons Foraging #wildfood

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Helen McAra @hedgerownibbler.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
A fungi timeline cleanse - a perfect Penny Bun (Boletus edulis) pushing its cap above the leaf litter in beautiful West Sussex. Also known as porcini, cep or king bolete, this is a delicious edible species much prized by foragers. Much nicer than a screen shot of Trump or Farage obviously. #fungi
A chunky brown capped mushroom pushing up through the leaf litter on a deciduous woodland floor. Silver birches and blue sky behind.
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Larry the Cat @number10cat.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Things that aren't patriotic: - Racism - Moving abroad for tax purposes Things that are patriotic: - A love and sense of duty to your country, including paying taxes that contribute to it
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Helen McAra @hedgerownibbler.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Smells of TCP too (antiseptic wash).
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Helen McAra @hedgerownibbler.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Perfect, glorious Hen of the Woods (Grifola frondosa) also known as Maitake (my-tah-key), a Japanese word meaning dancing mushroom (mai = dancing, take = mushroom). The individual lobes look similar to the traditional fans ladies would hold when dancing. #edible #wildfood #fungi
A multi lobed, pale brown and cream mushroom growing on the ground at the base of an oak tree. Looks similar to the fluffy rear end of a brown hen.
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Helen McAra @hedgerownibbler.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
They are tasty once thinly sliced, dried and then added to soups or risottos. The blood red drips when you cut them are somewhat off putting though.
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Helen McAra @hedgerownibbler.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
For the inexperienced or unwary this species looks similiar to Field mushrooms, Field poplar or The Miller (all found in grass and all edible). This is why fungi foraging requires complete attention and a healthy amount of life saving self doubt.
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The English Oak Project @thekentacorn.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Someone, thinking they were being rude, asked if I would ever grow up In response I used my Dad’s favourite saying ‘Since light travels faster than sound, people may appear bright until you hear them speak’ Never grow up, it’s a sign of surrender
A smiling red squirrel
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The i Paper @theipaper.com · 08/09/2026
"A woman was viciously attacked and senior party figures found it funny. The message sent by Farage and Jenrick is clear: violence is an acceptable response to criticism," writes @mrjamesob.bsky.social Read more: trib.al/yNG6d5Y
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Helen McAra @hedgerownibbler.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Vancouver Island looking stunning again! This is north west of Port Hardy near a little island called Balaklava Island. I could have stayed here forever #vancouverisland #porthardy 🇨🇦🦦
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mjlinde.bsky.social @mjlinde.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
#SensoryArt #Stairs #ColorADay #YellowThu The #Axelborg Building in #Copenhagen, #Denmark @architecture.bsky.social
The Axelborg building in Copenhagen, Denmark
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Helen McAra @hedgerownibbler.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
I’m falling in love with Vancouver Island - it’s stunningly beautiful and then it does this at sunset. I’m blessed! 🇨🇦🌊😍
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 01/09/2026
Kākāpō rising: 90 chicks swell population of the world’s heaviest parrot
theguardian.com
Kākāpō rising: 90 chicks swell population of the world’s heaviest parrot
Critically endangered New Zealand bird enjoys record breeding season triggered by mass fruiting of native tree, pushing its numbers to 325 The population of the world’s heaviest parrot, the kākāpō, has surpassed 300 birds for the first time in 75 years, after a record breeding season triggered by the mass fruiting of a native New Zealand tree. Ninety chicks were officially added to the population of the critically endangered birds on 1 September, pushing the total to 325 – a record high since recovery efforts began. Continue reading...
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Helen McAra @hedgerownibbler.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Turns out that starfish bigger than your head aren’t that easy to swallow when you only have a beak and no teeth. Not much to laugh at this week but this worked. #whatdoidonow
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South Downs National Park @southdownsnp.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Hey you, South Downs lover. Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery are still accepting entries for 'South Downs Open'. 📸: Meredith Sherlock [1/2]
Sunlit rolling green hills with a small herd grazing along a faint track beneath dramatic low clouds and a bright blue sky.
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Fungi First @fungifirst.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Take a look at these absolutely magnificent Scalycaps (Pholiota spp.) 😍🍄‍🟫! #Mushrooms #FungiFriends
A pair of shaggy brown mushrooms emerge like twins from a log surrounded by moss
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The Wee Owl Studio, Art 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 @theweeowl.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
A small painting of fly agaric, the classic fairy tale toadstools. This original artwork is available in my Folksy shop... folksy.com/find/item/86... #Mushrooms #FlyAgaric #OriginalArt #Drawing #Watercolour #MixedMedia #Painting #Artwork #TraditionalArtist #GiftIdeas #ShopIndy #bsnm

A small painting of classic, fairy tale red toadstools, fly agaric. They are on a watercolour and mixed media background of undergrowth in greens.
An original art work, please note that the frame is not included.
Watercolour and mixed media on acid free high quality watercolour paper
5 by 7 inches (12.7 by 17.8 cm).
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Bree Lundberg @breelundberg.com · 18/08/2026
Quick PSA. Looking at you, local orgs and small businesses.
Crudely drawn bunny character holding a pencil, messy hand lettering surrounds them in orange to green gradient color. It says in all caps:

Stop using AI for your flyers & logos! They look like shit, everybody thinks so! Seriously, you’re losing business. Just make it yourself or hire a real artist.
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Natasha Devon @natashadevon.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
You’re not overthinking it. Everyone else is under thinking…
Screen grab from LBC Natasha’s show ‘if you’re not anxious then pay more attention’.
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Doug Eifrid @dougeifrid.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
“If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water.” — Loren Eiseley John Morris, Irish artist oil on canvas painting
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Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Turns out it happened on July 23rd. Give him a boost and let's do something nice
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Emma Mitchell @silverpebble2.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
I relaunched my online w'shops last night after my breakdown but no takers yet.They used to be the majority of my income so it's scary tbh. I've taught creative & mental health classes on BBC Countryfile,the V & A,Bronte Parsonage & even Highgrove. 🧵cont'd.. workshops.emmamitchell.uk/courses/bota...
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fravery.bsky.social @fravery.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Yaki Point - Grand Canyon ',1924 Watercolours Gunnar Widforss,1879_ 1934 )
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Ivy @askylitocean.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
"Parc de Sceaux #2" created by Moldovan artist Sergiu Ciochină.
The artwork is an oil on canvas piece measuring 73 x 92 cm, showcasing the artist's focus on the interplay of light and shadow.Ciochină employs an impasto technique characterized by energetic, visible brushstrokes to create rich texture.The scene captures a vibrant, impressionistic park setting with distinct green and purple hues.
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Helen McAra @hedgerownibbler.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Yes!!🇪🇸⚽️🥂
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Brian Groom @groomb.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Late Summer towards the North, painting by Katie Allen, artist based in Swansea, south Wales.
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Alison Fisk @alisonfisk.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Smile it’s the weekend! A liitle blue hippo made by an Egyptian artisan around 4,000 years ago! 🦛 ❤️ Decorated with river plants and lotus flowers, blue faience hippos are associated with the life-giving Nile and rebirth. Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek 📷 by me #Archaeology
My photo shows an ancient Egyptian ‘roaring’ hippo statuette made of Egyptian blue faience, a ceramic material made of ground quartz. The hippo is seated with head at left, and turned to front. The hippo’s original tusks (the top incisors and lower canine teeth are known as tusks), are missing, so it looks as if the hippo is smiling. The blue body is decorated in black with stylised images of Nile river plants such as water weed and lotus flowers. This decoration depicts the hippo’s marsh habitat as well as having layers of symbolism associated with regeneration e.g. lotus flowers open with the sun in the morning and close at night symbolising rebirth. Height 7.5 cm, length 12.5 cm. On display Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen.
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womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Contemporary Cornish artist Liz Cleves (UK), who depicts her local landscapes using both abstract and semi-abstract techniques #womensart #saturday #summer
Painting of a Cornish village next to the sea bathed in sunshine
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Helen McAra @hedgerownibbler.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Beautiful evening near Chichester, West Sussex. Lovely and warm with a cold lager from The Ship Inn, Itchenor. Perfect English summer’s evening 😍
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Emma Mitchell @silverpebble2.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
You might need this little soapstone carving of a whale today… (1200-1600 CE, Chumash culture, California, held at Musée des Beaux Arts, Montreal)
A little smily soapstone carving of a whale by Chumash culture, circa 1200-1600 CE, California
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Natasha Devon @natashadevon.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
ICE killed someone else this morning. A Maine man aged 26 who was killed in front of his 3 year old child. That’s now 11 people ICE have killed on the streets of the US. A reminder that both Farage and Badenoch have said they’d introduce a similar style force here in the uk if they were PM.
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🌴Jeff🌴 @counseloroh.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Data Centers are the Donald Trump of Industry. They have no redeeming value, they do NOT have anyone's best interests at heart and their sole purpose is to make the ultra-rich super ultra-rich. #SayNoToDataCenters Yes, they harm the environment, but they violate our individual and privacy rights.
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womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
Starling by contemporary textile artist Julie French #WomensArt
Textile artwork featuring a realistic image of a starling, back view, against a floral patterned background
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Tony Smith ACIH #SocialHousing @housingitguy.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
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mean things I say to myself @meantomyself.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Old enough to recognize this as a data center
Lockable floppy disk holder from the late 20th century
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Rae Radford @raeradford.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
True! #BookSky
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James O’Brien @mrjamesob.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
And there it is… www.desmog.com/2026/04/30/r...
desmog.com
Revealed: Reform’s £24 Million from Fossil Fuel Interests
Reform UK has received £24 million from oil and gas interests, accounting for more than two thirds of its total income, DeSmog can reveal. Led by Nigel Farage, the party is calling for new North Sea o...
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Natasha Devon @natashadevon.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
More news from the party that supposedly protects woman and girls. Reform UK controlled councils in Essex have banned libraries from promoting International Women’s Day. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Reform's new library policy 'Orwellian', says Essex councillor
Librarians are being told they can no longer promote events such as Pride and Black History Month.
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Dr Rebecca Warren @drrjwarren.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
UK’s growing green economy worth more than £100bn a year, research finds
Net zero industry accounts for more than a million jobs and benefits whole country, according to CBI Economics
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Helen McAra @hedgerownibbler.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
I’m here right now - I don’t want to go home. Here seems perfect and is so far away from all the nonsense 🇬🇷
Rocky cove in Greece with crystal clear blue waters and pine trees overhanging the water.
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James CBR @jamescbr.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
Green-winged Orchid (Anacamptis morio) in full bloom at SWT Winks Meadow. Purple, lilac, bicolour and white forms plus Cowslip, buttercups, Speedwell and sedges woven among them. Spectacular. #WildFlowerHour @bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social @ukorchids.bsky.social
A purple form Green-winged Orchid flower spike surrounded by Bulbous, Creeping and Meadow Buttercup flowers.
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Cath Hodsman @cathhodsman.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Did u know? Not all moths are nocturnal, like we're led to believe. Some delight us by being diurnal, like this gorgeous little Mint Moth. If you grow Catmint, Marjoram, or any of the mint family in your outside space, you'll attract these wonderful little purple & gold winged pollinators. 🌿🌱🇬🇧🌱🌍🦋
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Rebecca Wheeler @botanybeck.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
What do you get when you cross a Fly Orchid with a Bee Orchid? This little cutie, that’s what! 😍 So excited to see the Fly x Bee hybrid this weekend! #Wildflowerhour
The hybrid between the Fly Orchid, Ophrys insectifera and the Bee Orchid, Ophrys apifera. I was lucky to see three examples, each slightly different.
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Helen McAra @hedgerownibbler.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
Peas and carrots from Kefalonia this week - Arabian pea (Bituminaria bituminosa) and, if you look past the poppies, Tordylium officinale #wildflowerhour #peasandcarrots
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Helen McAra @hedgerownibbler.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
The spring flowers in the hills on Kefalonia are beyond words. Mother Nature has claimed it as her place to show off - mile after mile after mile of utter beauty. #greekflora #kefalonianflora #simplystunning @matthewberry.bsky.social
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Helen McAra @hedgerownibbler.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
I’m thinking Ophrys ferrum-equinum gottfriediana but would love a confirmation. Side of Mount Ainos in Kefalonia today. TIA @matthewberry.bsky.social @dunnjons.bsky.social
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Helen McAra @hedgerownibbler.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Kefalonia is looking beautiful right now. Are there any BS people who are experts on the wildflowers of the Ionian islands and can point me towards some good online ident resources please? #kefalonianwildflowers #orobanche #heaven
Greek olive grove full of wildfowersPurple broomrape species - purple tubular white with white centre and orange stem Greek olive grove full of wildflowersCommon tongue orchid - brownish pink flower stem, no leaves as parasitic. Flowers are tubular with pink/brown tongue hanging out from lower edge.
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Helen McAra @hedgerownibbler.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
Meadow buttercups and dandelions adding their wonderful golden beauty to this lovely West Sussex meadow. #buttercupchallenge #wildflowerhour
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Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
There you are, at last. I've waited 35 years to find myself in Sicily at the right time of the flowering season to meet Ophrys lacaitae. And it was worth the wait. What an outstanding plant to share with my @mariposanature.bsky.social guests. 💛 #orchids
Ophrys lacaitae, Late Spring Orchids of Sicily © Jon Dunn
Ophrys lacaitae, Late Spring Orchids of Sicily © Jon Dunn
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Matt Berry @matthewberry.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
🤡 Ophrys rhodia #orchids
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Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
This particular Ophrys apulica is like an old friend - I first found it here in Gargano last year, with its fabulously complex lip pattern, and here it is again this year. #OrchidsOfTheGargano #orchids
Ophrys apulica, Orchids of the Gargano Peninsula © Jon Dunn
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