Tag: Nature

Spiders leave their calling cards

*A spider leaves a calling card. Photo taken in the Lake District by Gill Henwood*

Autumn is the season for spiders both inside the house and also in the countryside and garden.
Recently, two medium sized spiders took up residence in my garden and, separately, wove large webs that in the early morning catch the light. Though not quite as spectacular as the one my friend, Gill Henwood, has captured in her photo taken in the Lake District, there is something amazing about the work they do. I’ve been feeling quite protective towards them this week.

Not everyone is a fan of spiders and there are many species, from tiny mites to large, slightly threatening ones. Only a very few tend to bite human beings. According to the Natural History Museum, only about 12 species have been recorded as inflicting a bite on humans and of those, only three have left an unpleasant or painful sensation. As there are over 650 types of spider the risks are minimal. Mind, if you insist on picking them up they will defend themselves!

The evidence of spiders in our gardens and in the fields can be found on a low misty morning when the ground is strewn with gossamer webs, highlighted by frost. These can be found often in their hundreds. This is the work of one species particularly – the Common sheetweb spider or to give its posh name, Linyphia triangularis. It’s a very common species and its presence easily seen – the name sheetweb – may provide a clue!

On Sunday October 4th, many in the UK will be keeping Animal Welfare Sunday. Perhaps we could spare a thought and a prayer for these tiny creatures of God’s creation. I suspect that He had a lot of fun making them!

[Mr G 26th September 2026]

A Christian Prayer for Animal Welfare
by Judy Carman

Almighty God, we come together to thank you
for the beauty and glory of your creation;
to praise you for your holiness and grace;
to acknowledge our responsibility to animals
and for our use of the created world.
But, first of all, we pray for your forgiveness
because of our part in sins of thoughtlessness
and cruelty towards animal life.

Almighty God, you have given us
Temporary lordship of your beautiful creation.
But we have misused our power, turned away
from responsibility and marred your image in us.

Forgive us, true Lord, especially for
our callousness and cruelty to animals.
Help us to follow the way of your Son,
Jesus Christ,
who expressed power in humility
and lordship in loving service.
Enable us, by your Spirit,
to walk in newness of life,
healing injury, avoiding wrong
and making peace with all your creatures.
God of everlasting love, who is eternally forgiving;
in your new creation.
Amen.

From “Peace to All Beings”
by Judy Carman
www.lanternbooks.com

Beauty of the Natural World

GREEN-VEINED WHITE BUTTERFLY

My piece last week about Dolly Parton and the reference to her love of butterflies, prompted my friend Gill Henwood to send me photos of a Green-Veined White Butterfly taken in the Lake District.

The green-veined white is quite a common butterfly (though I have never seen it!). Its habitat is hedgerows, woodlands, garden and parks as well as river areas and damp meadows. It can be seen from Spring to October.

In Gill’s photos, it is taking its ease on sedum plants which are currently turning from their summer green to autumn pink/purple.
The Butterfly takes its name from the prominent green stripes on the underside of its wings. One description I read about this is: The so-called green veins on the underside of the adults are, in fact, an illusion created by a subtle combination of yellow and black scales.”
A comment made from folklore is that if you see a white butterfly at the beginning of summer, it will be rainy. If, however, you see a green-veined white butterfly it is a sign that there is hope for a little sunshine!
a different and more spiritual lore is that “the graceful, darting flight of the green-veined white represents seasonal re-birth, fragility and the clean beauty of the natural world.”

This thought makes the green-veined white is a suitable symbol of Creation on a week-end which includes a new ecumenical festival adopted by the Church of England as it joins churches across the globe in celebrating the new Festival of Creation in Christ, marking the worldwide Christian consensus that the Earth should be treasured and protected as a gift from God.

Lord of creation,
You have created the universe by your eternal Word,
and have blessed humankind in making us
stewards of the earth;
We pray for your world,
that we may share and conserve its resources,
and live in reverence for the creation
and in harmony with one another.
In your mercy, hear us.

[Mr G & Gill Henwood. 5th September 2026]

The Flourishing of Creation

Photo of hydrangea in the Lake District, by Gill Henwood.

A summer pondering from Gill Henwood

Hydrangea : Planted long ago by slate steps leading into a spinney on the edge of a track, the huge shrub now blocks access
but is too beautiful to tame.

Above is a ‘handkerchief’ tree, davidia involucra, also known as the ‘dove’ tree, both from the creamy hanging bracts in the spring, around the small flowers. The tall tree shades the hydrangea which isn’t drooping in the heatwave.
There are underground streams in the spinney, flowing into Black Beck in the vale and on to Esthwaite Water,
our local lake.

The hydrangea suckers, providing new plants to give away. The handkerchief tree sets masses of nutmeg sized seeds, chewed by mice and scattered all over the garden.
Shoots emerge and saplings can be moved and given away too.

Over a century, these plants and trees have made their home in the windswept, rainy Lake District. The spinney shelters them from the western winds and shelters the old farmstead (dating back to at least 1536). People knew where to site their homes, against the slate rock wall, near a spring or stream, and to plant trees for shelter and shade.

We need tall shading trees and shelter today, to learn from our forebears how Creation flourishes despite heat and winds. May we, as stewards in our small ways, pay our part in protecting Creation, not least all creatures great and small.

[Gill Henwood. July 2026]

God of love, show us our place in this world
as channels of your love
for all the creatures of this earth,
for not one of them is forgotten in your sight.
Enlighten those who possess power and money
that they may avoid the sin of indifference,
that they may love the common good, advance the weak,
and care for this world in which we live.
The poor and the earth are crying out.
O Lord, seize us with your power and light,
help us to protect all life,
to prepare for a better future,
for the coming of your Kingdom
of justice, peace, love and beauty.
Praise be to you!
Amen.

After a Hail Shower!

After a Hail Shower!

A reflection and photos from my friend, Gill Henwood.
(a nice treat after I have spent a few days in hospital)

Surprising resilience and fortitude from the peonies in full bloom, despite rainstorms and hail showers interspersed by wind and sun.

Beauty with endurance – much to ponder…

And, thankfully, though the rabbit invasion has chomped off all the aquilegia and ragged Robin, they have so far spared the peonies. The badgers have been busy in the short nights, rotovating the meadow for pignut roots, slugs and worms. Their presence only known by their deeds.

The joys of country gardening!

[Gill Henwood]