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Leah Gilly

@gillys_wild_web

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Enthusiast in the symbiotic relationship between humans & the natural world
#ethnobotany #sustainability #bushcraft #permaculture

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The Common Map butterfly (Cyrestis thyodamas) exhibits fascinating behaviors that make it a true delight to encounter in the wild.

Unlike many butterflies that close their wings when resting, this species is famous for its unique habit of resting or basking with its wings completely spread flat against surfaces like rocks or damp soil, showing off its intricate, map-like patterns.

What maade my sighting at the base of Summer Falls near the Paurhaus River bridge in Pokhara truly special is that I witnessed a classic aggregation behavior known as mud-puddling.

During mud-puddling, these butterflies gather on wet ground to deliberately sip nutrient rich water.

This behavior is primarily undertaken by males who seek out essential mineral salts and amino acids found in the damp soil and riverbeds. They use these vital nutrients to boost their reproductive success, making riverbanks and waterfalls. just like the beautiful spot I visite today the perfect gathering hubs for large, stunning groups of them

Yaayyy by @gillys_wild_web

I wanted to explore the local areas around pokhara today on my mpuntain bike with intention to make some elevatio.. however when i crossed the high bridge i couldnt help but fwwl mpre temptation to find a route down to see thw waterfalls and have a swim in the river .

On my route i found an array of interesting plants and insects with many birds if prey and river birds flying around ..

I was invited for a smoke with some local guys and at first politely said no as im trying to have a day off being high... however after i foubd a quirt spot to have a dip in the river myself i could see one of the guys divinf under the water with his goggles.
And so when i walked back i decided to ask if i could sit and have a cigarette with them and ask them what they were doing ..

Pretty cool lil home made spears they had and i was supprised he was diving as the current was pretty strong.
I guess the little fish on the right is a kindof bottom sucker and the other 2 im not too sure. Small trout? Maybe a more experienced fish person can tell me ..
They also had a net for cstching lsrger fish but the current was too strong.
Sp for now just deep fried little fish ...

Anyway nice experience and interesting short interaction before i carried on my way exploring the plants by @gillys_wild_web

by @gillys_wild_web

by @gillys_wild_web

by @gillys_wild_web

Wow. I really really enjoyed making this little pot moss spirit guardian… to the left is some other weird arty sculpture thing I made .. no fukin idea what it is..

But the little pot moss guardians the don! MOSS BOSS
I really enjoyed going through things of mine I’ve collected for garden sculptures and what not that I do in my kind of meditation creative mental emotional regulation support flow….
I enjoyed exploring different things for eyes
For sure my actual plastic eye balls look pretty cool but I decided to go with the full natural look baby!

Commissions available in uk on request hahah 🥰😅💪🤭🌺🔥🍓
Or I can upscale these or even make many for events, front doors. Whatever .. 🤭

All moss is pulled out of my huge iron firepit so it’s not damaging any wild habitat, and some is also pulled off a pile of bricks in corner of the field… some pulled off corner of my van window… and some off my caravan roof … love the variety I’m getting.. 🤭

What’s even more lovely about this pot spirit is every day I go back and add a little more … I love that.. looking forward to making a friend for it 🤘🏼 by @gillys_wild_web

Ethnobotanically, sea buckthorn has long been prized across Europe and Asia and pretty much recognised all around the world…. However mostly from beauty products….
Ancient Greece fed it to horses to give them glossy coats (its Latin name Hippophae means “shiny horse”), while Tibetan and Mongolian peoples used the berries and leaves as tonics to boost stamina and resilience.
It’s supperrr rich in vitamin C….far more than oranges…
they were used to prevent scurvy among coastal communities and sailors back in yew day… maybe still… The oils from the berries and seeds were applied to heal wounds, burns, and sun damage, and they are still used today in skin-care, anti-inflammatory remedies, and as a nutritional supplement for immune health, heart health, and reducing oxidative stress.
Even now, in modern herbalism and research, sea buckthorn stands as one of the most nutrient-dense wild plants of the shoreline.!! And yet many of you are probably only just being introduced to it…. So allow me the honour. …

Latin name Hippophae rhamnoides…. A cute little idea worth mentioning is a question a student asked me regarding its defence mechanisms similar to hawthorn or blackthorn seeing as there is not such large predators around anymore, which in theory the large thorns would be useful for… maybe well to deter off deer.. however again many of these species still contain traits and mechanisms that would have been more useful during ice age or just many more moons before … however through evolution many have remained the same or adapted to their environments be them changing over centuries…..

Anyway I like to think this plant takes such a batting on the coast that as a medicine it helps envirograte that sea wind blow the cobwebs out of your system kind of medicine…

Ah so

I’ve added the berries to some of my home made mead
And another wee bit to a jar of organic apple cider vinegar that’s sadly not a local one but don’t tell John…
Anyway I tried to smash the berries but they’re quite feisty even under the pressure of my spoon in the jar..

So I blitzed it together in a blender and will strain in a few weeks time when all is ready by @gillys_wild_web

He’s finally started to get really comfy with coming inside. Every time I leave seeds for him outside some other animal gets involved and drops a
L the seeds on the floor and encourages mice. So I’ve put his little plate up on my mantle piece .
He’s always flown in pretty swift
As usually robins don’t like eye contact
But it’s been. While now nd he’s got to the point where he’s comfy enough to maintain eye contact for a while while being inside my home and nibbling away , and even happy enough now to fly in when I have guests ^^
Confident lil brave lil guy ^^ by @gillys_wild_web

Grateful and proud of some of the work we achieved at the beginning of this year deep jungle vibes but on a beach tbf 😅 best crew evaaa all for non profit, festival directly supporting local charity in panama xxx
Came away with new ideas and knowledge of new materials, diff traditional techniques and principles, everyone teaching learning from one another...and crikeyy..dealing with much denser timber .Nispero ..coarr blimey
Tribal Gathering by @gillys_wild_web

Today’s the day my calendar starts !

A MASSIVE SHOUT OUT to alll the amazing supportive people out there who supported me and took interest in my herbal tea and lunar phase calendar ! Today I start my early morning with a hot cup of cleavers , ground ivy and apple mint all growing happily on this fine Equinox day ! It’s been a real tough winter and last year for many . I wish all the good peaceful loving harmonious joyous portals to start opening now and spreading all the nourishment we all truly need in this life . Cheers to everyone and your lives always being worth more than a million dollars ! May you have a magixxxx splendid dance xxx and enjoy your wild foraging and cup of teas by @gillys_wild_web

I’ve started experimenting making a tea for my hair

So far it’s been pretty effective of maintaining a clean balanced environment for my hair and given me a bit of a beach swept feel

Both the plantains contain natural sapanoids gently cleanse without stripping the natural oils. Their rich in musilage which is soothing
The bay leaf acts as a powerful antimicrobial and anti fungal agent helping to combat dandruff and bacteria boosts circulation and contains beneficial vitamin, apple mint provides the cooling from ht menthol and releases a lot of the hot itchy discomfort
Rosemary is a very well researched herb that’s known for helping hair. It dilates blood vessels to increase circulation, rich in vitamins which protects the follicles.
Daisies are antioxidants and also has tannins that both help protect ir and may enhance natural shine . While also containing vitamin k which is great for the skin and hair by @gillys_wild_web

Sickboi.com

@renmakesmusic
@sickboihq
I’d make a good model with his clothes in front of a big fatty rig don’t u think ? 🤣🤭🫶🏼

Grateful to my big bro who very very kindly gave me this over a year ago now as a limited edition jumper that was designed and supported by Brigita and Josh ! What an amazing team! ..! pretty cooool stuff
I love the green baggy sleeves ^^

Honestly my love for velour is just…. Nd the jumper goes so well with my velour trakky bottoms

Just felt like sharing this as a post as a big ups to my bro and the squad ! his dedication and creativity in all avenues is mind blowing really

Apologies this post has nothing to do with natural world but it’s more team community family support woohoooo ok ! 🫠🤘🏼🥹😝😍

And for some annoying reason it won’t let me add rens music to this post ! Can’t work out instagram ! by @gillys_wild_web