12 Days Wild // Part 2

 

This is the third year of 12 Days Wild, and my third year taking part too! 12 Days Wild is a winter wildlife challenge held by the home of the longer, summer challenge 30 Days Wild, The Wildlife Trusts. As stated on their website, The Wildlife Trusts 'For more than a century we have been saving wildlife and wild places, increasing people’s awareness and understanding of the natural world, and deepening people’s relationship with it.' If you are unaware of them and their work I recommend visiting their website, https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/, which is home to a wealth of information surrounding nature, wildlife and how we can help it.

In my previous year's posts, I've prefaced this challenge with the caveat I'm already living a rather wild life. A life that places the natural world in high regard and that includes some sort of action or thought for the wild world every single day. So really this is more of a challenge for me. It gives me the opportunity and motivation to step outside of my usual daily wildness and take a break from my regular daily routine.
And now, here is the second and final part of 12 Days Wild 2024/25.

See previous years below
12 Days Wild 2022/23
12 Days Wild 2023/24 // Part 1
12 Days Wild 2023/24 // Part 2
12 Days Wild 2024/25 // Part 1

Day 7 - 31st December - At Home

Our Old Year's Night's are always wild!! Though obviously not in the way most people's are.
Mr H got home early from work and we played a couple of games and built some lego in the afternoon.
We were then early to bed as usual but were awoken by the hellscape of warzone-like noise from the evil fireworks. 
Not only do I hate them because they scare me and my pets, but I feel that if you care at all for the natural world you would not partake in them at all. The fear they impose on wildlife and livestock as well as the pollution they produce is not worth the moment of awe they give some people. 


Day 8 - 1st January - Marsden Bay

For the 3rd year in a row we have gone to Marsden Bay to watch the first sunrise of the year...
However, you can tell this year the sunrise decided to hide behind the clouds! 
Still, it's always a good time to listen to the waves and birds, feel and breathe the sea air and just get away from the noise and stress of our street.


Day 9 - 2nd January - At Home

The tiniest sprinkle of snow ever! Usually with the first snow, I like to go out and stand in it bare foot...
I didn't fancy climbing onto the roof of my car and couldn't perch like a bird on the fence so I'll have to wait for the cold toes!


Day 10 - 3rd January - Washington Wetlands

The first WWT Washington visit of the year! 


Day 11 - 4th January - At Home

A beautiful little chrysalis mysteriously appeared on top of the wheelie bin this morning. I assume a bird dropped it, though it seemed intact and unharmed so I placed it somewhere safe in the hopes they will survive.
This is also my January TBR - a full month of nature and wildlife non-fiction! 
Not pictured is 'A Year of Birdsong' and my current audiobook 'Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds and Shape Our Futures'.


Day 12 - 5th January - At Home

The final day is here! 
And some snow? A little anyway. At around 3am when I woke up it was snowing and then when I woke at 6.30am I took a couple of photos before the predicted 'ice rain' came to wash it all away.
I hoped that by the time it got light there would be something left to photograph and then came the 3rd photo onwards. 
To end the challenge I thought it was time to join the Wildlife Trusts officially meaning as a couple Mr H and I are now joint members of Northumberland Wildlife Trusts, WWT and the RSPB! I encourage you to also join a local-to-you wildlife organization or even just give a one-off donation. Many also have their own gift shops and have some fantastic items for anyone looking to buy a present or treat themselves FYI.

As much as I enjoy and will miss this challenge, it has been hard work to take edit and upload daily. With my regular daily photos (Project 365, see my other blog >> Adventures of The Hallows) I take photos throughout the week and then edit and upload on a set day so I'm looking forward to a few days break from photos haha.
Thanks for following along and I'd love to hear if you also took part!

Until next time.