Thought I’d do something a little different for today’s post and share some photos. I always get inspired when I visit Linda’s blog: Walkin’ Writin’ Wit & Whimsy, Linda always takes the most wonderful nature shots.
Well, since I did a lot of visiting of places when my family was here. I thought I’d share a few photos.
Giants Causeway
Giants Causeway has been on my Bucket List for a while and we finally drove the 2 and a bit hours up to visit it. It was a lovely sunny day, and despite the time of year it was still full of people. We got to climb over the wonderful hexagonal stones. And look at the colour of the sea! So blue.
Castle Ward
We took a look around the manor house at Castle Ward. Impressive house, photo is marred by the temporary fencing they put up due to fixing some of the stonework.
It was interesting enough, though the lighting wasn’t great so many of my photos didn’t turn out great. The tour guides were knowledgable and everyone was impressed by the ceiling in one of the rooms, as you can see in the photo it was very unusual.
Sadly the gardens were pretty but a little underwhelming due to all the tulips having just finished blooming it would appear.
Butterfly House
I love visiting Butterfly Houses, and getting to walk around these wonderful creatures with their dazzling wings.
Pheasantry
We heard a lot of the peacocks before we even saw them, their distinctive call was heard throughout the area (managed to record a video of the call… just not the peacock that made it!) They are very inquisitive and while not so interested as to come over to you, they had no issue walking around us and just passing on through to find some shade.
This is the first time I didn’t see any fan their train feathers. Interesting fact: when a peacock fans that beautiful set of feathers and shakes them, it’s called “Train Rattling” 🙂
Happy writing & stay safe
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Author Ari Meghlen Official Website 
Ari – of all the times for me to be late here in Reader (and I’m not caught up but at the tender hour of 12:00 midnight I was scrolling to see just how far behind I was … very far).
First, thank you for the shout-out of my blog and I hope it doesn’t disappoint any of your followers. My turtles with their sibling rivalry for Father’s Day may leave them saying “this is nature photography?”
I’m glad you finally made it to the Giants Causeway – how amazing those big rocks and the the placement of them. And that beautiful blue water. Walking around a castle and its gardens always takes your breath away. I would love to go to a butterfly exhibit. They have one here at Dow Gardens in early Spring – that is a bucket list item for me. Their exhibit is similar where you walk through and butterflies are flying about everywhere in a heat-controlled environment. You got some wonderful shots of these beautiful creatures. I have never seen a peacock – I know they have them at the zoo, but I enjoyed seeing your peacock photos and video and I learned something about when they fan those beautiful feathers. I never knew it was called “Train Rattling” – I wonder why?
You should post more of your photos you take – I enjoyed seeing them Ari and thank you again for mentioning my blog as well.
Sorry for the delay in replying.
Your blog could never disappoint. It’s so vibrant with natural life and whimsy.
The butterfly house is always so much fun and I get very intent on catching photos of as many as I can. There are even feeding stations where they will land and eat and it is easier to snap pictures.
I never realised there were that many peacocks in the Pheasantry. Last few times I’ve been there’s only been 2 or 3.
I think it’s called “Train rattling” because the fan of feathers isn’t actually the peacock tail, it’s their train. The tail sits behind/below the train and actually helps to hold it up. 🙂
Since I am now going on hiatus, I will hopefully be taking more pictures in the next few months and when I come back I may have to share more. 🙂
Take care, ~Ari
No problem Ari – I felt badly as I’m always so behind in Reader and did not know you had recognized my blog in your post.
Interesting about the butterflies and peacock – it makes me want to visit the butterfly exhibit now at Dow Gardens and the zoo, the only place I know there is a peacock around here. Stepping away from the regular routine, whether when family is in town or not, is important. I have worked six hours a day, strictly from home, since 2011. In 2011, I agreed (stupidly) after being hired back, that since I worked part-time, I would not take vacation time. This year, in March, I just was fed up and told him I was taking two days off a month to make up for 11 years of no vacation because quite honestly I needed a mental health break from the job and I likely shocked him, a labor lawyer. We were supposed to retire this year, but even at 75, my boss is not keen on doing so. I am ready but said I’d work until the end as it’s just the two of us.. I should have set parameters back in 2011 … but am doing so now.
I hope you did get out and enjoy some time in nature and put that camera to good use once again … maybe consider sectioning off part of your blog to show those photos.
Enjoy your time away Ari.
Beautiful pictures!
Thank you, Kate
Beautiful. In a strange coincicende, I had a dream about hexagonal basalt spires a couple of days ago… Butterfly houses are something we don’t have here, I guess it must be an interesting experience.
🙂 Yes, it is an interesting experience. The butterfly houses are really warm for the tropical butterflies and they are bristling with plants but there are so many butterflies just fluttering around you. Before you leave, you have to make sure you haven’t picked up any passengers 🙂
These pictures are great. I’ve always wanted to see The Giant’s Causeway.
Thanks Darlene. I was so pleased the weather stayed nice. Made it so much better visiting the Giants Causeway