I am Annie Irving, a New Zealander now living in Wales. My working career has included many different challenges, from credit manager at Air New Zealand to operations manager at Auckland University Press, from English language teacher in Auckland, New Zealand, to project manager of an NGO in Peru. I am currently a freelance writer, proofreader and photographer, but who knows what challenges the future may bring?
The one consistent love throughout my life has been for Nature. To walk an untrodden path through woodlands and listen to the leaves fall, to be charmed by the song of a robin that has come to sit on a nearby fencepost, to delight in waxcap fungi that nestle like vibrant jewels in a grassy meadow, to marvel at a herd of elephants grazing beside a waterhole in the mighty Serengeti, to laugh at the nutty antics of squirrels, to sit on a hilltop and marvel at the way the dwindling light of dusk illuminates the landscape, to paddle in the ocean and explore a tidal rock pool.… These are the things that bring joy to my life, the things I want to share through this blog.
I’m aiming for short and sweet, just two or three photographs – always my own, and no more than 200 words of text – gleaned from my reading and internet research. My posts may be about a bird or an animal or a minibeast, a tree or a wildflower or fungi; they might be factual or perhaps include some snippets from history, folklore or language.
If you have information or a story to share about the subject of a particular blog, I welcome your comments.
I have also been blogging for over 5 years about my world travels; my life and work in New Zealand, Peru and Cambodia; about my interests in history and genealogy, art and architecture, and a myriad of other slightly eccentric fascinations. If you’re interested, you can find me at http://sconzani.blogspot.com
earthstar 
Dear Annie,
What splendid photographs from St Augustin’s church yard. And all the others as well over the years.
You will be interested to know that, along with our efforts to smarten up this large area mainly at present by strimming and mowing, there will be a considerable part left to go wild and also an area on the South side devoted to wild flower planting. This will all be experimental, but established high quality (and native) seeds will be used, so hopefully it will work. We also plan to plant up suitable graves with such native species, but this will be a more long term aim.
So, hopefully by the summer, your camera will have lots more subjects!
Best wishes,
David Knight
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Thanks for your kind words, and the update on St Augustine’s, David. I shall look forward to checking your progress. 🙂
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Hi Annie,
I’ve followed your blog for a bit and I enjoy reading your birding and nature adventures. I live in Canada and I am thinking of a trip to Ireland. I know you are in Wales, but its a heck of a lot closer to Ireland than I am! Do you know much about birdwatching there or know any resources you could point me to? Thanks!
Erin
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Hi Erin. Thanks for your kind words. I’ve never been to Ireland but it does have a good reputation for very fine birding sites. Of course, what you see will depend on where and when you go. A quick google produced this site, which seems to have regional links – I’m sure there are other similar sites too: https://www.birdwatchireland.ie/Home/tabid/1529/Default.aspx
And I find social media, especially twitter, very good for getting the most up-to-date information but I don’t follow any Irish tweeters.
Good luck with your planning!
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Thanks! 🙂
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I chanced upon your blog searching for “moorhen & Roath Park lake” as I saw a moorhen there on Sunday and was curious about it. I recently moved to Cardiff, near to the park & walk there with my camera several times a week, so I was drawn to your beautiful photos and your wonderful descriptive writing. Your blog is the very first I have followed and I look forward to following your journey.
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Thanks for your lovely comment, Yvonne. I don’t live near Roath Park any longer (though I do still visit occasionally). It’s a wonderful area to live in, with so many green spaces to walk. I’m sure you’ll enjoy living there. 🙂
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I just discovered your blog and what a lovely treat on this cold February morning. So cheers! I’m off to explore your world.
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Thanks for your kind comments – much appreciated. I hope you enjoy seeing the world through my eyes / lens. 🙂
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Pingback: Aliens walk with the Cardiff Naturalists Society – Mary Gillham Archive Project
Your life experience shines through in your photos and stories. Thanks for an interesting and enjoyable blog! X
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That is such a lovely thing to say … thanks so much. You’ve made my day! 🙂
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🙂 💚
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Pleased to meet you. 🙂
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And greetings to you, Nomzi.
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You are also welcome to visit my blog when you get the chance. Have a lovely afternoon. 🙂
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Hi Annie,
I have nominated your blog for the Versatile Blogger Award. Thank you for your wonderful and informative blog with lovely photographs. Here is a link to the rules on how to accept this award https://versatilebloggeraward.wordpress.com/vba-rules/
Kind regards,
Laura
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Why thank you, Laura. I’m a little stunned but extremely flattered. And I certainly appreciate the nomination and your very kind words.
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Your very welcome Annie. I love your blog…be proud! You deserve it.
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