A Walk in the Park * Artist unknown to me
* but, I adore the painting!
* but, I adore the painting!
March 30 * Take a Walk in the Park Day!
Hello, my dear readers...looks like we're into March now! And, we're all anticipating the warm, sunny weather and beautiful greenery, with promises of spring blooms!
Oh, I don't know about all that...we've got sleet in the lone star state today, and what they call 'thunder sleet'! I heard some thunder earlier, but, I thought it was just normal thunder. And, then it was mentioned on the weather channel that we have 'thunder sleet'. So there we are with a new term!
While I'm here today, I thought we could talk about some spectacular creatures that were brought to my attention last weekend. And, being March now, we can focus on St. Patrick's day, and, specifically the country of Ireland! We were watching the PBS station, I think it's called KERA/world, when suddenly a large flock of birds flew over a body of water. Not having gotten in at the beginning of this program, I wasn't sure what it was all about! But in taking an interest, I soon found out!
~Ireland
~the River Shannon watercolor
Ah, the beautiful River Shannon, the longest river in Ireland, running for about 224 miles, and, presenting itself throughout 11 of Ireland's counties. The river is named after Sionann, a Celtic goddess. In hopes of gaining wisdom, and after much warning to stay away, Sionann went to the river. There, she encountered and ate the Salmon of Wisdom, and became 'Goddess of the River'. After a well caved in, Sionann was carried out to sea and drowned. So, a myth of Ireland is the belief that the drowning of a goddess in a river gives life to the land. Sionann gained her wisdom, and, in turn, dissolved her power into the water, thus, giving it back!
What a sacrifice!
Enter the Shannon Swans!
What a sacrifice!
Enter the Shannon Swans!
The Shannon swans, or mute swans, as they are called, arrive in large numbers with other ducks from Northeast Europe, Iceland and Greenland for the winter. Here they flock together and breed all along the river. There is hardly a spot along the shallow parts where these beauties won't be seen, feeding on water weeds, as the food is plentiful.
~along the river bank
Some of the yellow beak swans stay over for the summer and mate with the local mute swans. And, some decide to become permanent residents of the the Shannon.
Some of the yellow beak swans stay over for the summer and mate with the local mute swans. And, some decide to become permanent residents of the the Shannon.
The river Shannon flows through a large range of marshland, grassland, bog and woodland. It opens at Shannon Pot, which is a small pool on the slopes of the Cuilcagh Mountain in Cavan county, and, ends at the city of Limerick. Being undisturbed by human activity, this river serves as an ideal habitat for not only the swans, but, a variety of ducks.
~King John's castle * River Shannon * Ireland
~ Trilight on The River Shannon * Ireland
I really enjoyed this program. These beautiful swans picked a beautiful river to enjoy their winters, and, bring forth new members of their families. And, what beautiful countryside! Ireland is not just a land of green beer drinkers, is it!
*** BUT, you're not getting away that easy!
Thank you so much for coming by. As I write, we are getting sleet in Fort Worth and the temperature is dropping drastically, UGH! I don't mind the cold, just the Texas Ice Drivers!
Someone has to get to the office, and, Karo is always so gracious to drive me in to work, unless it's too, too icy!
Please stop in, (try not to slide in, lol!) and say hello if you get the chance. Oh, I have posted my March calendar on 'My Stuff' page. Click over and take a look...I haven't posted much on there lately. Too many irons in the fire, I think.
I am so grateful for your friendships...it's such fun to communicate interests and knowledge, with you all! I enjoy reading your posts, and hearing your news.
Thanks to:
Google
Yahoo images
The River Shannon, Ireland
wikipedia
*** A special greeting to my friend and coworker Cindy!
Happy Birthday Cindy * March 17th
Happy St. Patrick's Day to you all!!! ♥
I really enjoyed this program. These beautiful swans picked a beautiful river to enjoy their winters, and, bring forth new members of their families. And, what beautiful countryside! Ireland is not just a land of green beer drinkers, is it!
*** BUT, you're not getting away that easy!
Thank you so much for coming by. As I write, we are getting sleet in Fort Worth and the temperature is dropping drastically, UGH! I don't mind the cold, just the Texas Ice Drivers!
Someone has to get to the office, and, Karo is always so gracious to drive me in to work, unless it's too, too icy!
Please stop in, (try not to slide in, lol!) and say hello if you get the chance. Oh, I have posted my March calendar on 'My Stuff' page. Click over and take a look...I haven't posted much on there lately. Too many irons in the fire, I think.
I am so grateful for your friendships...it's such fun to communicate interests and knowledge, with you all! I enjoy reading your posts, and hearing your news.
Thanks to:
Yahoo images
The River Shannon, Ireland
wikipedia
*** A special greeting to my friend and coworker Cindy!
Happy Birthday Cindy * March 17th
Happy St. Patrick's Day to you all!!! ♥
* Be safe...share love and laughter wherever you go!
See you next time!
☺
Hello, dear Suzanne! Your post was educational and uplifting and I thoroughly enjoyed it. All my life I have been fascinated with maps and globes. I love to sit and study maps of different parts of the world and imagine what life is like for the inhabitants. Thanks to this post of yours I was able to see the beautiful countryside along the Shannon River in Ireland and the fowl that inhabit its banks. Unspoiled areas like those along the Shannon are becoming scarce around the world and it's heartwarming to see those lovely swans and ducks enjoying a clean and inviting habitat where they can spend the winter, mate, breed, raise young and perhaps choose to take up permanent residence. Thank you for this interesting lesson, dear friend!
ReplyDeleteI hope your crazy weather doesn't lead to another power outage. Please be careful on the icy roads and sidewalks! As I told you on my blog, we're running the air conditioner and having perfect chamber of commerce weather. I hope your cold air mass is headed over my way because I'm not quite ready to face another long hot summer.
Happy St. Patty's Day to you and yours, dear friend Suzanne. You are a very special lady and I am very grateful for our ongoing friendship. God bless and take care!
Good evening Shady. It was refreshing to watch these beautiful birds flock to this great habitat! It is such a spacious body of water. I always believed there was beauty in Ireland, but not like this. I truly admire this country's hospitality to wildlife as well as tourists!
DeleteAnd, I too enjoy looking at maps, the colors and various names of cities. They really aid in giving life to other parts of the world.
Well, we're due to drop down into the teens tonight, but, the sleet has stopped for now, and hopefully for the remainder of the night. Thank you ever so much for dropping by and taking a cruise along the River Shannon.
My word, how awful to have to keep that AC going...now that winter is at a close, you'll not ever get to turn it off-relief plane is on the way!
Have a great week Shady!
Hi there Suzanne, lovely to see you've found some beautiful swans in another part of the world. I'd never heard of the Shannon Swans. They have such a wonderful habitat and no wonder some decide to stay.
ReplyDeleteAlways delightful and interesting to read your posts, I always learn something new after visiting you. I love the artwork you've included in this one too.
Oh boy, it does sound cold over there - wow, that term "thunder sleet" conjures up such a scary picture of weather. Stay warm, stay inside and enjoy your week. Happy Birthday to Cindy on the 17th too.
Cheerio for now :D)
Hey Susan, yes-it's been a cold day in Fort Worth Texas and getting colder yet! But, we're expected to have spring-like weather in a day or two. Go figure! My plants are getting dizzy from all of this merry go round weather!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing how the swans get around? I had no idea they were so plentiful in our world! And, they are a beautiful and amazing birds! What a lovely habitat provided by that enchanting river!
Thank you so much for coming by Susan, and, again, welcome back! Thank you for your compliments, and, yes, wasn't the artwork nice? I love browsing through paintings on the internet when I have a specific subject in mind. I can always find an appropriate painting.
Have a great week, Susan. See you soon! ♥
Sounded like a great program, and it inspired you to research the swans. Aah, Ireland, such a beautiful and hospitable country.
ReplyDeleteKeep safe on those icy streets.
Hi Nancy, the program was really interesting and informative. I know how you love Ireland. I thought of you and your great trip as I worked on this post. Thank you so much for coming by.
DeleteOur icy streets melted this afternoon, yay! The Texas sun moved it out! Have a great week! ♥
Hi Susanne, it's been most interesting to find your blog and visit over a few posts. I used to spend a lot of time cardmaking when I belonged to the Oriental Stamp Art group, it's a wonderful creativity. Somewhere you mentioned about not being able to draw - but I believe if it's something we would love to do, that no doubt, dabbling with it whenever you are motivated must surely be the way to go. Says me, who'd dearly love to be able to draw also! Thanks for visiting my Snap Happy Online via Susan today; I'm glad you stopped by. I love to share snippets of places I get to visit/travel, my camera is a great companion!
ReplyDeleteHi Carole. I'm so glad you stopped by. I did thoroughly enjoy your post, it is so refreshing! Okay, maybe I will try to do some artwork...I just don't feel confident enough I suppose. Thank you so much for coming by to say hello, Carole. I hope to visit your blog again soon. Have a great week!
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