I took a walk in the woods today, I needed the time there.

As I walked through the snow, bird footprints, the babble of a winding stream, and the fallen trunks of giant trees told of an ongoing story that waits for no Human.

A reminder that we aren't as important as we flatter ourselves, nature continues without us.

#nature #naturephotography #english #england #naturelovers #walking #hiking #tree #trees #winter #photography #photo #woods #woodland #winterphotography

I've restarted blogging in a small way with @WordPress.

I have a learning curve ahead of me as I update the site's theme and figure things out again!

My last walk in 2025. this was a local walk, under heavy wintry skies. We avoided rain, but the autumn and winter gloom and darkness are a favourite time of mine. The solitary tree with the bench struck a chord, I'm certainly not a summer soul.

The Wood Ear mushroom was an unexpected and charming find, I think the light shows it off beautifully.

#nature #naturephotography #english #england #naturelovers #walking #hiking #tree #trees #winter #photography #photo

I visit the ruined remains of 12th Century Lilleshall Abbey in Shropshire. I walk around and talk a little about the history and the ghostly Black Monks of this fascinating haunted historic religious site.

https://youtu.be/MxZCtq26fis

#history #shropshire
#england #english #englishhistory
#video #getoutside #getoutdoors
#abbey #ghosts #haunted #albion #youtube #explore

Here's a more relevant example to my interests.

I was researching the folklore of Clent and Romsley in England, and I was testing AI for this.

The AI found "Harry-ca-nab", I checked the source and found a blog. I made a note, but I wanted to see more sources than one blog.

I've since found the legend mentioned in two books on HathiTrust, one from 1852, the other from 1910.

I've stopped my AI tests, I've caught mistakes and uncorroborated hallucinations more than once.

#noai #no2ai

I wasn't expecting to see this, but I'm a little surprised that I'm not more shocked.

Things like this are why I'm very picky over what I accept as a source.

#noai #no2ai

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/12/24/health/ai-recipe-baking

Reflecting on things, and today is the right time for that.

I've used no AI graphics, sound, or editing in any of my videos. I last posted an AI picture in Ostara this year, the AI provided the base image.

I've used AI in research to start off, to get an idea of sources and do it myself from then. I'd have to check the AI's results, so I may as well do it and hone my abilities.

Using AI feels empty, the more I do myself, the better I feel.

#noai #no2ai #thoughts #reflections

Solstice Blessings to all! The wheel turns, lighter days are coming...

#pagan #heathen #paganism #heathenry #yule #solstice