Helen McAra
@hedgerownibbler.bsky.social
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
Reposted by Helen McAra
Once more for the haters...
December 9, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Once more for the haters...
Reposted by Helen McAra
One of the rarest fungi in Britain has been discovered for the first time in Alderney, a wildlife trust has said.
The date waxcap was found by ecologist Niamh McDevitt earlier this month, said Alderney Wildlife Trust.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
The date waxcap was found by ecologist Niamh McDevitt earlier this month, said Alderney Wildlife Trust.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Very rare fungus recorded in Alderney for first time
A date waxcap, a fungus listed as vulnerable, is discovered by an ecologist in Alderney.
www.bbc.com
December 8, 2025 at 3:02 PM
One of the rarest fungi in Britain has been discovered for the first time in Alderney, a wildlife trust has said.
The date waxcap was found by ecologist Niamh McDevitt earlier this month, said Alderney Wildlife Trust.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
The date waxcap was found by ecologist Niamh McDevitt earlier this month, said Alderney Wildlife Trust.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Helen McAra
I've a keen eye for the unusual, and love stumbling upon orchid varieties, particularly when I have @mariposanature.bsky.social guests with whom to share them.
Rhodes is always a happy hunting ground - here just a handful of hyperchromic #OrchidsOfRhodes we've found there over the years.
Rhodes is always a happy hunting ground - here just a handful of hyperchromic #OrchidsOfRhodes we've found there over the years.
December 9, 2025 at 6:59 AM
I've a keen eye for the unusual, and love stumbling upon orchid varieties, particularly when I have @mariposanature.bsky.social guests with whom to share them.
Rhodes is always a happy hunting ground - here just a handful of hyperchromic #OrchidsOfRhodes we've found there over the years.
Rhodes is always a happy hunting ground - here just a handful of hyperchromic #OrchidsOfRhodes we've found there over the years.
Reposted by Helen McAra
Amazing opportunity. If I was 30 years younger...
📣Please share: We are looking for a field assistant to join our team in studying #ruffs on coastal meadows at Botnian Bay in Finland. The job will provide fantastic insights into lekking behaviour and provide essential skills in field ornithology. Details here www.bi.mpg.de/2790786/2512...
December 8, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Amazing opportunity. If I was 30 years younger...
Wow, another Ophrys beauty! I am a tiny bit obsessed by orchids (quite a lot actually) and the Ophrys family are my favourites. Beautiful with a tiny hint of Muppet.
Greetings from Greece. I had an enjoyable weekend & Monday has begun brilliantly too! It is nice when good things happen, which leads me onto my #orchid #AdventCalendar post for today...
A lovely hybrid: Ophrys attaviria x Ophrys polyxo.
#OrchidsOfRhodes #RhodesOrchidOdyssey
A lovely hybrid: Ophrys attaviria x Ophrys polyxo.
#OrchidsOfRhodes #RhodesOrchidOdyssey
December 8, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Wow, another Ophrys beauty! I am a tiny bit obsessed by orchids (quite a lot actually) and the Ophrys family are my favourites. Beautiful with a tiny hint of Muppet.
Reposted by Helen McAra
Exquisite Roman glass cup signed by master glassmaker ‘Ennion’. AD 30-70.
Ennion was the first glassmaker to ‘brand’ his work by incorporating his name into the mould’s design, some 2000 years ago!
Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Adria 📷 Leonardo.disimone
#Archaeology
Ennion was the first glassmaker to ‘brand’ his work by incorporating his name into the mould’s design, some 2000 years ago!
Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Adria 📷 Leonardo.disimone
#Archaeology
![Photo of an intact Roman two-handled translucent cobalt blue glass cup dated AD 30-70. The cup has a cylindrical body with vertical sides and two narrow strap handles attached to each side as ear-shaped loops. The cup is mould-blown with relief decoration on the body which incorporates two inscriptions in Greek, one on each side of the cup. One side reads ‘ENNIWN/ENOIH/CEN’ (‘Ennion made [it]'). The other side reads ‘MNHOH/O AOPA/ZNW translated as ‘May the buyer be remembered’.
Dimensions: Height 2½ in. (6.4 cm), diameter (rim): 3% in. (9.5 cm)
Collection Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Adria, Italy.
Incredibly this is one of two matching cups blown from the same mould, found together in a Roman tomb at Cuora, near Adria, Italy, in the early 1900s. The matching cup is now part of the collections at the Corning Museum of Glass](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:j56ydp325adovobhwpkzc6sp/bafkreieyzv5zqbzdfqwmjq2voan57tagx23eg734blorwveesickcrkg4i@jpeg)
December 7, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Exquisite Roman glass cup signed by master glassmaker ‘Ennion’. AD 30-70.
Ennion was the first glassmaker to ‘brand’ his work by incorporating his name into the mould’s design, some 2000 years ago!
Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Adria 📷 Leonardo.disimone
#Archaeology
Ennion was the first glassmaker to ‘brand’ his work by incorporating his name into the mould’s design, some 2000 years ago!
Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Adria 📷 Leonardo.disimone
#Archaeology
Reposted by Helen McAra
'The Skate Girls of Kabul' photographic series by Jessica Fulford-Dobson featuring girls from the Afghan capital before the Taliban took control. #womensart #NeverForget women and girls of Afghanistan #HumanRights
December 7, 2025 at 2:10 PM
'The Skate Girls of Kabul' photographic series by Jessica Fulford-Dobson featuring girls from the Afghan capital before the Taliban took control. #womensart #NeverForget women and girls of Afghanistan #HumanRights
Reposted by Helen McAra
Crochet mandala street decorations, a collective creation by women in Licata, Italy #WomensArt
(via Howtofeelgood. net)
(via Howtofeelgood. net)
December 7, 2025 at 5:35 AM
Crochet mandala street decorations, a collective creation by women in Licata, Italy #WomensArt
(via Howtofeelgood. net)
(via Howtofeelgood. net)
Stunner!
"Wowsers!" is what I imagine Graham Goodfellow said when he found this beauty in West Sutherland this summer! This is the hybrid between Frog Orchid and Heath-spotted Orchid, Dactylorhiza x conigera - just the 6th record for B&I and a worthy Day 7 for my botanical #adventcalendar #wildflowerhour
December 7, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Stunner!
Reposted by Helen McAra
Every year I, or my European orchid-hunting friends, find at least one flavescens or chlorantha variety of Ophrys bee orchid in Rhodes. Always a pleasant surprise to see the way the genetic dice have rolled and come up with something slightly wayward, where normal rich colours are diminished.
December 7, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Every year I, or my European orchid-hunting friends, find at least one flavescens or chlorantha variety of Ophrys bee orchid in Rhodes. Always a pleasant surprise to see the way the genetic dice have rolled and come up with something slightly wayward, where normal rich colours are diminished.
Reposted by Helen McAra
Day 7 of my #orchid #AdventCalendar
Good morning! Here's a few pics of one of my favourites found here, 𝘖𝘱𝘩𝘳𝘺𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢.
#OrchidsOfRhodes #RhodesOrchidOdyssey #GreekOrchids
Good morning! Here's a few pics of one of my favourites found here, 𝘖𝘱𝘩𝘳𝘺𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢.
#OrchidsOfRhodes #RhodesOrchidOdyssey #GreekOrchids
December 7, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Day 7 of my #orchid #AdventCalendar
Good morning! Here's a few pics of one of my favourites found here, 𝘖𝘱𝘩𝘳𝘺𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢.
#OrchidsOfRhodes #RhodesOrchidOdyssey #GreekOrchids
Good morning! Here's a few pics of one of my favourites found here, 𝘖𝘱𝘩𝘳𝘺𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢.
#OrchidsOfRhodes #RhodesOrchidOdyssey #GreekOrchids
Reposted by Helen McAra
Day 5 of my #orchid #AdventCalendar
Here is a couple of pics of Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertianum).
#OrchidsOfRhodes
Here is a couple of pics of Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertianum).
#OrchidsOfRhodes
December 5, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Day 5 of my #orchid #AdventCalendar
Here is a couple of pics of Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertianum).
#OrchidsOfRhodes
Here is a couple of pics of Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertianum).
#OrchidsOfRhodes
Reposted by Helen McAra
Mikaela Bartlett, UK #artist who works in needle felt and sculpts creatures out of natural/dyed sheep and alpaca wool #WomensArt
December 3, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Mikaela Bartlett, UK #artist who works in needle felt and sculpts creatures out of natural/dyed sheep and alpaca wool #WomensArt
Reposted by Helen McAra
Plants in the genus Chorizema have stunning flowers. Nearly all the members of this genus are endemic to Western Australia. Like this one seen in Albany in the southwest of WA, which I think is Chorizema glycinifolium.
#ozflora #wildoz #nativeplants #nature #inaturalist #Fabaceae
#ozflora #wildoz #nativeplants #nature #inaturalist #Fabaceae
November 30, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Plants in the genus Chorizema have stunning flowers. Nearly all the members of this genus are endemic to Western Australia. Like this one seen in Albany in the southwest of WA, which I think is Chorizema glycinifolium.
#ozflora #wildoz #nativeplants #nature #inaturalist #Fabaceae
#ozflora #wildoz #nativeplants #nature #inaturalist #Fabaceae
Reposted by Helen McAra
'We have historically high welfare spending.' No we don't.
'We have a historically high proportion of working-age people not actually working.' No we don't.
'The number of Britons emigrating is skyrocketing.' No it isn't.
'We have a historically high proportion of working-age people not actually working.' No we don't.
'The number of Britons emigrating is skyrocketing.' No it isn't.
November 29, 2025 at 5:08 PM
'We have historically high welfare spending.' No we don't.
'We have a historically high proportion of working-age people not actually working.' No we don't.
'The number of Britons emigrating is skyrocketing.' No it isn't.
'We have a historically high proportion of working-age people not actually working.' No we don't.
'The number of Britons emigrating is skyrocketing.' No it isn't.
Reposted by Helen McAra
I've signed. Have you?
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy
We are concerned about reported efforts from Russia to influence democracy in the US, UK, Europe and elsewhere. We believe we must establish the depth and breadth of possible Russian influence campaig...
petition.parliament.uk
November 28, 2025 at 4:46 PM
I've signed. Have you?
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Petition: Call a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Reposted by Helen McAra
#TuesdayBlue with fabulous Himalayan blue poppies at #BodnantGardens six months ago. Such a dreamy colour, no apologies if I've posted this one before! 🤭 #Bloomscrolling #DailyFlowers #vitaminN
November 25, 2025 at 7:39 AM
#TuesdayBlue with fabulous Himalayan blue poppies at #BodnantGardens six months ago. Such a dreamy colour, no apologies if I've posted this one before! 🤭 #Bloomscrolling #DailyFlowers #vitaminN
Reposted by Helen McAra
My natural history book of the year is ‘Urban Plants’ by @trevorthebotanist.bsky.social
Informative, entertaining and inspiring - after reading it you will never walk down a street, pass by a wall or look at a grass verge in the same way again. Highly recommended @bsbibotany.bsky.social
Informative, entertaining and inspiring - after reading it you will never walk down a street, pass by a wall or look at a grass verge in the same way again. Highly recommended @bsbibotany.bsky.social
November 24, 2025 at 7:30 PM
My natural history book of the year is ‘Urban Plants’ by @trevorthebotanist.bsky.social
Informative, entertaining and inspiring - after reading it you will never walk down a street, pass by a wall or look at a grass verge in the same way again. Highly recommended @bsbibotany.bsky.social
Informative, entertaining and inspiring - after reading it you will never walk down a street, pass by a wall or look at a grass verge in the same way again. Highly recommended @bsbibotany.bsky.social
Reposted by Helen McAra
The work of contemporary Northjmbrian printmaker Rebecca Vincent ##ReframingWomenPrintmakers
November 23, 2025 at 7:32 AM
The work of contemporary Northjmbrian printmaker Rebecca Vincent ##ReframingWomenPrintmakers
Reposted by Helen McAra
November 21, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Reposted by Helen McAra
Trekking by night reveals an enchanted forest: waking animals; wild music; and a special plant (Amorphophallus manta) that glows pink by torchlight. It's like walking in a dreamworld.
November 21, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Trekking by night reveals an enchanted forest: waking animals; wild music; and a special plant (Amorphophallus manta) that glows pink by torchlight. It's like walking in a dreamworld.
Reposted by Helen McAra
Earlier on the expedition we found the most beautiful flower, and here, my friends, is the biggest: Rafflesia arnoldi seen in full bloom today in the Sumatran jungle. This is the largest flower on earth and one of the greatest wonders of the natural world.
November 20, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Earlier on the expedition we found the most beautiful flower, and here, my friends, is the biggest: Rafflesia arnoldi seen in full bloom today in the Sumatran jungle. This is the largest flower on earth and one of the greatest wonders of the natural world.
Reposted by Helen McAra
Repost by @Rainmaker1973 from @Rainmaker1973:
RT by @Rainmaker1973:
Green vine snakes don't bite.
They do better: they judge you.
RT by @Rainmaker1973:
Green vine snakes don't bite.
They do better: they judge you.
November 19, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Repost by @Rainmaker1973 from @Rainmaker1973:
RT by @Rainmaker1973:
Green vine snakes don't bite.
They do better: they judge you.
RT by @Rainmaker1973:
Green vine snakes don't bite.
They do better: they judge you.
Reposted by Helen McAra
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we all just celebrate what we are buying local.
Post it on social media.
“I purchased this so and so from this local retailer.”
Boycotting the billionaires should be a celebration.
Post it on social media.
“I purchased this so and so from this local retailer.”
Boycotting the billionaires should be a celebration.
November 18, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we all just celebrate what we are buying local.
Post it on social media.
“I purchased this so and so from this local retailer.”
Boycotting the billionaires should be a celebration.
Post it on social media.
“I purchased this so and so from this local retailer.”
Boycotting the billionaires should be a celebration.
Reposted by Helen McAra
Postcard from the field from our wandering tour leader, Michele Viganò - Miki has been in the Western Sahara in the past week, and his first postcard shared with us is this gorgeous Sand Cat (Felis margarita). Stay tuned for more North Africa wildlife postcards from Miki this coming winter!
November 18, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Postcard from the field from our wandering tour leader, Michele Viganò - Miki has been in the Western Sahara in the past week, and his first postcard shared with us is this gorgeous Sand Cat (Felis margarita). Stay tuned for more North Africa wildlife postcards from Miki this coming winter!