Bird Feeder

This bird feeder sketch is an adaptation of Edith Holden’s 1906 illustration.

Edith drew two types of home made bird feeders in both the 1905 and 1906 Nature Notes.  On 3rd December 1905, she wrote,

 'Since I hung the cocoa-nut up to the ledge of the birds breakfast-table a few days ago, the Tom-tits have been much more numerous.'

That made me wonder when coconuts first arrived in the UK.  After a little research I found that coconuts were imported as luxury goods via Venetian traders from India into the UK since at least the 13th century.  They were initially referred to as "nuts of India" or "great nuts“ and were a rare and exotic luxury item. 
Primarily used for medicinal purposes the coconut shells were then often polished,  mounted in precious metals and made into ornate drinking vessels or goblets for wealthy people.
The backgrounds frames are based on e-processed red and green brolly fabric respectively. 

Another Anagram from Mona Lisa

 

The background frame is based on a e-processed blue brolly fabric.

COP30 Open-pit Mining Issue

 According to the online  ‘AI’  on 10th November 2025

“Current environmental issues from open-pit mining include widespread habitat destruction, severe water and air pollution, soil contamination, significant greenhouse gas emissions, and increased erosion and sedimentation. These operations require clearing large areas, destroying ecosystems, and can result in the contamination of both surface and groundwater with chemicals and toxic waste from tailings. Additionally, the large-scale disturbance of land and vegetation increases erosion, while the use of heavy machinery and the process itself contribute to air pollution and climate change. ”

Surely there are enough vehicles and other spent products in circulation to recycle or repurpose rather than dig these heinous looking pits!

I found this short clip of the Lifecycle of an Umbrella ..well illustrated.

Let's hope this issue is addressed !

Fungi Sketch

Edith Holden documented much about fungi in her November 1906 diary entry.  On 3rd November she wrote.

“I brought home a little book on British Toad-stools, with photographs of 65 different varieties.  I was disappointed not to find my beautiful scarlet spotted toad-stool among them.”

Perhaps Edith was referring to what we now call the Fly Agaric.

Google AI reference 

‘The Amanita muscaria mushroom, commonly called Fly Agaric, got its name in 1753 when Carl Linnaeus gave it the species name muscarius (Latin for "fly") because it was used to repel flies. It was later moved to the genus Amanita in 1783 by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, leading to its current full scientific name Amanita muscaria.’

Edith also refers to some people eating toadstools more so than others.

‘In another note the author states, that there are a great number of British Toadstools with are edible and which are exceedingly nutritious as an article of diet, but in Britain the Mushroom is almost the only fungus eaten; although abroad Toad-stools are eaten in great quantities.’

An Anagram of Mona Lisa

Leonardo Da Vinci took the position of 'Architect and Engineer' to Cesare Borgia, son of Pope Alexander VI in the summer of 1502.  He was based in Imola and created a detailed map that utilised his exceptional skills in geometry and cartography.   When he returned to Florence in 1503, he began work on the Mona Lisa and continued to make maps for the Florentine government.

I have looked at the name 'Mona Lisa' a number of times and there are numerous words that can be made from it.  One such set of words are 'San Imola' - (Saint Imola).

How many other words can you make from the name 'Mona Lisa' ?

The background frames are based on e-processed yellow and blue brolly fabrics respectively.

Oak Tree - Acorns

We have had mast years of acorns 2020, 2022 and now 2025 in our garden.  The acorns are plentiful for both the squirrels as well as other wild life.  In bygone days, some people processed and used the acorns to make flour, coffee and porridge.  

Some people still eat acorns – just search Youtube to see how they currently process and use acorns.

The background frame is based on an e-processed black brolly fabric. 

Hawthorn Berries

Edith mentions numerous berries that she, ‘gathered in this neighbourhood’ (Olton) on page 139 of her 1906 Nature notes.  She includes Hawthorn or ‘Haw’ berries in her list of twenty one items.
Hawthorn berries have been used in traditional Chinese medicine since 659AD to treat indigestion. In Medieval Europe it was used to treat heart conditions amongst other ailments.

The background frame is based on an e-processed red brolly fabric. 

Blackberries and rosehips

Edith drew sketches of blackberries in August and September in her 1905 and 1906 notes respectively. Edith was in the South West of England for a period of time during August 1905. On the 18th August she wrote, 

‘Blackberries beginning to ripen…’

The blackberries in our garden (July 2025) had started to ripen on the plant for at least two weeks. Both blackberries and rosehips are a good source of Vitamin C.  Check for recipes that include these items or the equivalent that help ward off and overcome colds and flus.

My sketch was drawn on some yellow brolly fabric.  The background frame is based on an e-processed purple brolly fabric. 

The Horse chestnut

Edith Holden was born on 26th September 1871. In her Nature Notes of 1905,  on September 24th she commented on the ‘fine trees of the Horse Chesnut’ and found both these and ‘the Spanish or Sweet Chesnut' on the Olton Golf Course.

Some people use the fruit of the horse chestnut (conkers) to make a light soap, You can find various methods of how to do this online.

My sketch was drawn on some orange and black brolly fabric.  The background frame is based on an e-processed yellow brolly fabric. 

Golden Rod Plant

Edith Holden mentioned and illustrated the Golden Rod Plant in her Nature Notes on 14th August 1906.  She was on holiday in Scotland at that time.

John Gerard included this plant in the 1597 Herbal.  He complains of people going further afield in search of remedies that can already be found near home.

‘It is to be extolled above all other herbes for the stopping of bloud in bleeding wounds; and hath in times past beene had in great estimation and regard than in these daies. ..Thus much I have spoken to bring

these new fangled fellowes backe again to esteeme better of this admirable plant than they have done, which no doubt have the same virtue now that then it had, although it growes so neere our owne homes in never so great quantity.

The background frame is based on an e-processed blue brolly fabric.

Creeping Loosestrife Plant

Edith illustrated the ‘Creeping Loosestrife’ in her Nature Notes of 1906.  This plant is also known to some as Creeping Jenny, Moneywort or ‘herb twopence’, possibly due to the leaves laying two by two along the stem.

‘It was felt to be a most beneficial plant, one of the very best for treating wounds, and useful also for scurvy and haemorrhage. Boiled with wine and honey, it was believed to be a useful treatment for whooping cough. In Chinese traditional medicine it’s used to treat kidney and urinary stones, and it’s also said to be useful in the alleviation of gout’. Extract From the Bugwoman London Blog

The background frame is based on an e-processed green brolly fabric. 

Moon Daisies

Edith illustrated, ‘Moon Daisies’ in her Nature Notes of 1905.

Some daisies close their petals when it gets dark or if it’s a cloudy day.  The Moon daisy is opened both day and night. From what I have seen, they appear to turn in the direction of the Moon at night so I suppose that’s where the naming convention originates.

The background frame is based on an e-processed black brolly fabric. 

The Clover plant

I have seen both the white and magenta coloured clovers in bloom since May.  In addition to some spring excursions, Edith also mentions seeing them on her walk, 'through Catherine-de-Barnes, Hampton in Arden, Bickenhill and Elmdon' on 25 June 1906.

I have not yet seen a four leaf clover though.  Have you?

The background frame is based on an e-processed blue brolly fabric.

The Foxglove plant

On June 15th 1906, Edith wrote,

‘I was quite surprized to come upon a bank of beautiful purple Fox-gloves today, - fully out: These are the first I have seen in flower.’

We also have the Foxglove beardtongue (or smooth Penstemon) Penstemon digitalis in our garden. The petals have a similar shape but different pattern inside.

‘It is thought that in 1775 Scottish doctor William Withering, persuaded a local gypsy to reveal the secret of her herbal heart remedy, unlocking the therapeutic potential of the foxglove and after ten years of research it entered into official use.’ Genus Gardenwear

The background frame is based on an e-processed black brolly fabric. 

The Honeysuckle plant

We have both the Lonicera Japonica and Lonicera Periclymenum Serotina honeysuckle plants in our garden.  They have been in bloom since the end of May 2025. The yellow honey suckle (Japonica), is very aromatic. On June 16th 1906, Edith wrote,

‘The roses and honeysuckle are full of  bud, but they are late in bloom this year owing to the long spell of cold weather.’

We have had a dry and sometimes warm spring here hence the early flowers on this plant. 

‘The Victorians believed that growing honeysuckle near the home or in an arch over the front door would attract love, luck and wealth. It was also believed that this plant would protect the house and garden from negative spirits.’  I wonder if that’s regardless of whether in bloom or not as it’s a deciduous plant!

The background frame is based on an e-processed blue brolly fabric

The Yellow Loose-strife plant

The Yellow Loose-strife plant in our garden started blooming at the start of June 2025. On 21st July 1906 Edith wrote:

 ‘I crossed the meadows to the bank of the little river; where the Purple Loose-strife or Long Purples was just coming into flower’. 

She is in the Temple Balsall area at that point. As the loose-strife she sees is near the river, possibly in a more shaded/cooler area and causing it to bloom later than our yellow batch.   Interestingly, the Latin name Lysimachia for this plant comes from 'King Lysimachus of Thrace, Asia Minor and Macedon. He used certain plants of this genus to calm agitated animals, in particular cattle'.  It has also historically been used in other areas of medicine.

The background frame is based on an e-processed green brolly fabric. 

The Alkanet plant

On 19th April 1906 Edith wrote, 

‘…I was surprised to find the blue Alkanet already in blossom just where I found it in July last year...’

Edith was on holiday in the south west of England at the time.  The alkanet in our garden has been in bloom for most of spring (and still flowering too).  Note to self, check when they stop flowering this year!

Historically the blooms have been used in salads or drinks for decorative purposes.  Some people eat the flowers. The root has also been historically processed to create a pink / red dye for materials and hair.

The background frame is based on an e-processed pink brolly fabric. 

The Hawthorn vs May Mottoe

In the May Mottoes section of her Nature Notes for 1906, Edith wrote,

 ‘Change not a clout till May be out’

Clout is an old English word for clothes and so the phrase for some means: do not put away your winter clothes till May is over or the Hawthorn blossoms have faded.

I have seen the Hawthorn in blossom since April, (overall a warm month this year) and we’ve not had any frosty or 'cold north east wind blowing’ in the mornings during May.  Let’s wait and see what it’ll be like for the latter part of May 2025.

The background frame is based on an e-processed purple brolly fabric. 

Wild Hyacinths and Blue Bells

The wild hyacinths and forget-me-nots are illustrated in the adapted style of artist Edith Holden.  She sometimes use the names blue bells and wild hyacinths interchangeably. Although May has been the typical month for blue bell walks, these bluebells were in bloom 19th April in our garden and I saw some earlier in the month of April at Packwood Lake side too.

Some people say they have seen the white shade version Table Mountain in South Africa.

The background frame is based on an e-processed pink brolly fabric. 

Revived Speckled Wood Butterfly

Sunday 27th April 2025

The closest I got to a butterfly without it fluttering away!

A fatigued Speckled Wood butterfly, rested on the brolly table cloth and I revived it via a dandelion flower. They usually feed on aphid honeydew from trees and plants during late spring and early summer.

The background frame is based on an e-processed yellow brolly fabric.