There has been an abundance of beech nuts this year, our trees have been unusually laden, more so than other years. There is a term for this, it’s called masting. No one knows why mast years occur but it has been linked with the climate, so maybe our exceptionally good summer has had something to do with it.
The name masting usually refers to a good harvest and may come from a time when woodlands were used for grazing pigs. I am sure my wood mice will have plenty of food this Autumn and who knows I might have a visit from one of the local squirrels.
I’m off to paint a red squirrel now, as well as some of my favourite garden birds, a wren, long tailed tit and a goldcrest. Pictures soon.
Kiln Fired Art Blog- Finding Inspiration On HolidayThere’s always inspiration to be found at the coast, I took these photos on holiday in Sorrento at Marina Grande. At the time I had big plans to develop some sketchbook work from them, to hopefully lead onto something more. … Continue reading →
- Working With The SeasonsWere has January gone? I have to say I’m glad to see the days starting to get a little longer, and signs of Spring are to be seen in my garden. The birds are pairing up and the snowdrops are in … Continue reading →
- An encounter with a headless woman, holding a pig!Now I have your attention…….. We managed a walk along the river mid week as the weather was dry. The ground was what I would call claggy, I think I brought back half a field stuck to my boots. This … Continue reading →
- Finding Inspiration On Holiday
Look forward to those paintings Jill and I never knew that word, masting; does it mean to a mass? off to get a dictionary….
Laney it’s a word I learned when I was researching the glut of beech nuts, I think it’s an Old English word. See blogtoberfest is educational, I’ve increased my vocabulary AND learned to crochet!