30 Days Wild: Day Eight – Go Wild for Nature

Today started with a little last minute campaigning urging people to vote for nature…

I used discarded flower petals, bird seed and twigs to create a simple message.

 

 

The bird seed is so beautiful up close. I’m hoping that the local bird life appreciated it too (if not, who knows what will grow… I’ll check back tomorrow to see the debris.)

Of course, I followed my own message, taking note of the windowboxes on the way to the polling booth so I can plan a windowbox walk.

 

I collected #rainbowblooms from people’s gardens.

 

I voted.

I admired the wonderful wildflowers in the graveyard.

 

The ground was fertile with life. It brings me comfort to know that one day, I’ll be helping flowers to grow (and opting for an eco funeral, to avoid putting harmful chemicals into the soil – if I get a choice in the matter!)

I looked closely at lichen.

 

I admired the moss.

 

I found fungi.

 

I saw faces in the tree bark. Can you see them?

 

I picked up litter. The below bottle will be turned into a bottle garden. I also recycled a can I found, and picked up some plastic I saw to contribute to World Oceans Day.

I visited Wilko on the way home, and stocked up on supplies for the birds, buying a fat feeder and block, though I plan on making my own to fit the feeder.

I also rescued some plants that were pining from neglect – two strawberries and a droopy tomato for 40p each, along with a campanula that was well in need of deadheading but will certainly bloom next year, if not this year.  I left them outside when I got home to help them get a well- needed drenching from the rain.

On my way home, I fed the wildfowl along the canal and spotted a new face in the form of a Mandarin duck.

 

I also made some videos to share the joy of feeding the birds on Instagram (@groweatgift).

I felt refreshed on my return home, if achy from rather more walking than I’m used to. 30 Days Wild is certainly helping me get more exercise…

Random Acts of Wildness So Far…

1. Spread the word.
2. Start a weather/pain diary.
3. Look at the clouds.
4. Photograph wildflowers.
5. Look for urban nature.
6. ID a butterfly.
7. Find a fledgling.
8. Feed a swan.
9. Collect feathers.
10. Stake out a foraging site.
11. ID birdsong.
12. Tweet using the #30DaysWild hashtag.
13. Plant a virtual seed.
14. See new life growing.
15. Feed the ducks.
16. Protect an animal from a predator.
17. Reflect on nature.
18. Look closely at your lawn.
19. Make someone a nature hamper from recycled materials.
20. Share nature photos using #30DaysWild on Instagram (and help the hashtag trend).
21. Show your houseplants some love.
22. Tell friends about #30DaysWild.
23. Talk to a junior naturalist and encourage their creativity.
24. Photograph a favourite cuddly toy in nature.
25. Add a nature event to your diary.
26. Look closely at a friend’s garden.
27. Take photos for #Rainbowblooms.
28. Find a plant that looks like a bug.
29. Watch a bee.
30. Read a nature-based research paper.
31. Get overawed by nature
32. Watch the dawn.
33. Walk barefoot in dewy grass.
34. Try a nature meditation.
35. Raid and repurpose the recycling.
36. Go on a wild date.
37. Go litter picking.
38. Protect the soil.
39. Make nature art.
40. Watch the sunset
41. Turn your desk wild.
42. Water your plants.
43. Celebrate World Environment Day.
44. Take part in the plastic challenge.
45. Watch nature videos.
46. Tell people who run your favourite hashtag hour on Twitter about 30 Days Wild.
47. Tell a colleague about 30 Days Wild.
48. Take a closer look at foxgloves.
49. Share nature-themed recycled crafting ideas.
50. Have a natural aromatherapy bath.
51. Dress for the weather.
52. Connect with a local nature lover.
53. Look at a puddle closely.
54. Rescue a plant.
55. Make a mini meadow in a recycled container.
56. Photograph wet leaves.
57. Welcome new wildlife to the area.
58. Make a bottle garden.
59. Make a wild bouquet.
60. Collect flower petals for your nature crafting box.
61. Tend a garden.
62. Feel the wind in your hair.
63. Collect leaves for crafting.
64. Grow a tomato.
65. Create a 30 second wildlife habitat.
66. Admire an insect.
67. Photograph something blue.
68. Make a nature video.
69. Go on a flower pot hunt.
70. Wear nature-inspired fashion.
71. Vote for nature.
72. Plan a windowbox walk.
73. Celebrate World Oceans Day.
74. Go wild in a graveyard.
75. Love lichen.
76. Be amazed by moss.
77. Find fungi.
78. Stock up on wild supplies.
79. Bag a bargain to bring back to life.
80. Find something new in nature.