Jen Ratcliffe
@jenratcliffe.bsky.social
✏️Writer
Boating birder and travelling poet, loves a good brew ☕ Host of #DailyNature
🌿Nature 🚂Travel
🛶Canals 🌊Nomad
WC Nature Writing Shortlist 24
Porthleven Finalist 23
IntrepidTimes WaterwaysWorld Telegraph
#NatureWriting
#UKCanals
#NaturePoetry
Boating birder and travelling poet, loves a good brew ☕ Host of #DailyNature
🌿Nature 🚂Travel
🛶Canals 🌊Nomad
WC Nature Writing Shortlist 24
Porthleven Finalist 23
IntrepidTimes WaterwaysWorld Telegraph
#NatureWriting
#UKCanals
#NaturePoetry
Pinned
Who's ready for our third #DailyNature challenge month? Let's celebrate winter!
💙❄️🌬️🌨️
How:
*Dec 1st - 31st
*Post a daily nature observation
*Include #DailyNature
See:
*Solstice
*Murmurations
*Seed heads, moss, reds & dark
Here's a starter pack to get going:
go.bsky.app/RUhJfc6
#NatureWriting
💙❄️🌬️🌨️
How:
*Dec 1st - 31st
*Post a daily nature observation
*Include #DailyNature
See:
*Solstice
*Murmurations
*Seed heads, moss, reds & dark
Here's a starter pack to get going:
go.bsky.app/RUhJfc6
#NatureWriting
Reposted by Jen Ratcliffe
#DailyNature & #photography
When I think of nature, I often think of trees, insects, birds, flowers & oceans.
This pillar of the local sea bridge reminds me that metal & rocks are part of nature, too, not in a separate way but entangled in the cycles of life as well.
#metals #biodiversity #surface
When I think of nature, I often think of trees, insects, birds, flowers & oceans.
This pillar of the local sea bridge reminds me that metal & rocks are part of nature, too, not in a separate way but entangled in the cycles of life as well.
#metals #biodiversity #surface
December 6, 2025 at 6:37 PM
#DailyNature & #photography
When I think of nature, I often think of trees, insects, birds, flowers & oceans.
This pillar of the local sea bridge reminds me that metal & rocks are part of nature, too, not in a separate way but entangled in the cycles of life as well.
#metals #biodiversity #surface
When I think of nature, I often think of trees, insects, birds, flowers & oceans.
This pillar of the local sea bridge reminds me that metal & rocks are part of nature, too, not in a separate way but entangled in the cycles of life as well.
#metals #biodiversity #surface
Reposted by Jen Ratcliffe
Pondering the #DailyNature challenge, with so many facets to nature at so many scales all around us, I remembered a video cartoon I once made for students about how a lot of Earth's "nature" derives from the planet's astronomical context youtu.be/i6K_N9lk3Z8?... day & night, seasons, sun's energy...
Planetary context tutorial/revision exercise
YouTube video by peterknightgeography
youtu.be
December 6, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Pondering the #DailyNature challenge, with so many facets to nature at so many scales all around us, I remembered a video cartoon I once made for students about how a lot of Earth's "nature" derives from the planet's astronomical context youtu.be/i6K_N9lk3Z8?... day & night, seasons, sun's energy...
#DailyNature Day7
Through sworded bars coca-cola polka-dots reach from branches toward tarmac road. They blur as I gaze from passenger seat, a creaking breath falling against my hair through the window. Every silver stake crumples a sapling, who grow slowly as a snake to break free
#NatureWriting
Through sworded bars coca-cola polka-dots reach from branches toward tarmac road. They blur as I gaze from passenger seat, a creaking breath falling against my hair through the window. Every silver stake crumples a sapling, who grow slowly as a snake to break free
#NatureWriting
December 7, 2025 at 1:52 PM
#DailyNature Day7
Through sworded bars coca-cola polka-dots reach from branches toward tarmac road. They blur as I gaze from passenger seat, a creaking breath falling against my hair through the window. Every silver stake crumples a sapling, who grow slowly as a snake to break free
#NatureWriting
Through sworded bars coca-cola polka-dots reach from branches toward tarmac road. They blur as I gaze from passenger seat, a creaking breath falling against my hair through the window. Every silver stake crumples a sapling, who grow slowly as a snake to break free
#NatureWriting
Reposted by Jen Ratcliffe
I love a happy ending.
December 4, 2025 at 10:33 AM
I love a happy ending.
Reposted by Jen Ratcliffe
Yours truly quoted on the deceit and cheat of birds in modern place-names in this Guardian article on the issue by Tomé Morrissy-Swan www.theguardian.com/environment/... #naturewriting #PlaceNames #PlanningBill
Streets named after birds in Britain on rise as species’ populations plummet
RSPB says growing trend for honouring species that are in decline is not matched by action on conservation
www.theguardian.com
December 6, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Yours truly quoted on the deceit and cheat of birds in modern place-names in this Guardian article on the issue by Tomé Morrissy-Swan www.theguardian.com/environment/... #naturewriting #PlaceNames #PlanningBill
#DailyNature Day6
Woeful day smoking from skin's pores like flowing river extracts milky earth's bed. Winter embraces chap motherly to sooth a purpling ego. I know darkness is rest, coldness is not death - But give me melancholic cloaks upon the moors today for my quarrels of self
#NatureWriting
Woeful day smoking from skin's pores like flowing river extracts milky earth's bed. Winter embraces chap motherly to sooth a purpling ego. I know darkness is rest, coldness is not death - But give me melancholic cloaks upon the moors today for my quarrels of self
#NatureWriting
December 6, 2025 at 5:25 PM
#DailyNature Day6
Woeful day smoking from skin's pores like flowing river extracts milky earth's bed. Winter embraces chap motherly to sooth a purpling ego. I know darkness is rest, coldness is not death - But give me melancholic cloaks upon the moors today for my quarrels of self
#NatureWriting
Woeful day smoking from skin's pores like flowing river extracts milky earth's bed. Winter embraces chap motherly to sooth a purpling ego. I know darkness is rest, coldness is not death - But give me melancholic cloaks upon the moors today for my quarrels of self
#NatureWriting
Reposted by Jen Ratcliffe
Saw a vast flock of woodpigeons passing overhead this morning. A wonderfully impressive spectacle, by a bird generally disliked & dismissed. Though I thought, how nice a change it was that in this nature-depleted country, I actually witnessed abundance.
December 5, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Saw a vast flock of woodpigeons passing overhead this morning. A wonderfully impressive spectacle, by a bird generally disliked & dismissed. Though I thought, how nice a change it was that in this nature-depleted country, I actually witnessed abundance.
#DailyNature Day 5
A rather rain-dripped poem for today, what have you seen?
#NatureWriting #NaturePoetry #Poetry #UKCanals #Winter #Challenges
A rather rain-dripped poem for today, what have you seen?
#NatureWriting #NaturePoetry #Poetry #UKCanals #Winter #Challenges
December 5, 2025 at 3:19 PM
#DailyNature Day 5
A rather rain-dripped poem for today, what have you seen?
#NatureWriting #NaturePoetry #Poetry #UKCanals #Winter #Challenges
A rather rain-dripped poem for today, what have you seen?
#NatureWriting #NaturePoetry #Poetry #UKCanals #Winter #Challenges
Another lovely podcast from Richard, love the forecast included in these pieces, was much enjoyed by the fire last night
- and quite wonderful to hear him my words, read better than myself, I must say. Thank you so much for including me in your thoughts for this episode 💚
#NatureWriting #UKCanals
- and quite wonderful to hear him my words, read better than myself, I must say. Thank you so much for including me in your thoughts for this episode 💚
#NatureWriting #UKCanals
These are the days of the long nights when three quarters of our day is dark. It's a time for restoration and balance, to attend to our roots like the plants and trees around us. Join us as we journey into the night & listen to its silent stories.
#ukcanals #podcast
www.noswpod.com/night-silenc...
#ukcanals #podcast
www.noswpod.com/night-silenc...
The Night Speaks with its Silences
These are the days of the long nights, when ¾ of our day gives way to the dark. If we listen carefully, their gifts are rich and restoring. In these strange times w…
www.noswpod.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Another lovely podcast from Richard, love the forecast included in these pieces, was much enjoyed by the fire last night
- and quite wonderful to hear him my words, read better than myself, I must say. Thank you so much for including me in your thoughts for this episode 💚
#NatureWriting #UKCanals
- and quite wonderful to hear him my words, read better than myself, I must say. Thank you so much for including me in your thoughts for this episode 💚
#NatureWriting #UKCanals
💙 beautiful
It is easy to forget
How miraculously wonderful
It is that the most basic
Element for our survival
Falls so freely and abundantly
From our skies
In a carnival of life.
This morning, pulling on
Wet weather gear,
The Earth says
"You belong.
I will take care of you."
#DailyNature #poetry #nature
How miraculously wonderful
It is that the most basic
Element for our survival
Falls so freely and abundantly
From our skies
In a carnival of life.
This morning, pulling on
Wet weather gear,
The Earth says
"You belong.
I will take care of you."
#DailyNature #poetry #nature
December 4, 2025 at 8:10 PM
💙 beautiful
#DailyNature Day 4
A banded moon with ghost iris and apple-stardust limbal ring glares upon us mortals. Ice particles trapped and refracting in a children's chanting loop in the sky. I dream of snow; white night; brown puddles waded waist deep. Heavy, icy water is all that arrives.
#NatureWriting
A banded moon with ghost iris and apple-stardust limbal ring glares upon us mortals. Ice particles trapped and refracting in a children's chanting loop in the sky. I dream of snow; white night; brown puddles waded waist deep. Heavy, icy water is all that arrives.
#NatureWriting
December 4, 2025 at 11:30 AM
#DailyNature Day 4
A banded moon with ghost iris and apple-stardust limbal ring glares upon us mortals. Ice particles trapped and refracting in a children's chanting loop in the sky. I dream of snow; white night; brown puddles waded waist deep. Heavy, icy water is all that arrives.
#NatureWriting
A banded moon with ghost iris and apple-stardust limbal ring glares upon us mortals. Ice particles trapped and refracting in a children's chanting loop in the sky. I dream of snow; white night; brown puddles waded waist deep. Heavy, icy water is all that arrives.
#NatureWriting
#DailyNature #Day3
Lunar-lamplight strobes through dieting valley oaks as a lone puppy whimpers for his tea into early evening. In the distance a constant rush of traffic follows my ears like a stream, I wonder if it were much quieter a hundred years ago, perhaps, but the air is likely more clearer
Lunar-lamplight strobes through dieting valley oaks as a lone puppy whimpers for his tea into early evening. In the distance a constant rush of traffic follows my ears like a stream, I wonder if it were much quieter a hundred years ago, perhaps, but the air is likely more clearer
December 3, 2025 at 5:00 PM
#DailyNature #Day3
Lunar-lamplight strobes through dieting valley oaks as a lone puppy whimpers for his tea into early evening. In the distance a constant rush of traffic follows my ears like a stream, I wonder if it were much quieter a hundred years ago, perhaps, but the air is likely more clearer
Lunar-lamplight strobes through dieting valley oaks as a lone puppy whimpers for his tea into early evening. In the distance a constant rush of traffic follows my ears like a stream, I wonder if it were much quieter a hundred years ago, perhaps, but the air is likely more clearer
Reposted by Jen Ratcliffe
Hard ice on the window panes
A wet fleece of fog
To dull the stars.
The sheep looked up
From their sleep
And watched me
As I passed.
#DailyNature #Day3 #naturewriting #poetry
A wet fleece of fog
To dull the stars.
The sheep looked up
From their sleep
And watched me
As I passed.
#DailyNature #Day3 #naturewriting #poetry
December 3, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Hard ice on the window panes
A wet fleece of fog
To dull the stars.
The sheep looked up
From their sleep
And watched me
As I passed.
#DailyNature #Day3 #naturewriting #poetry
A wet fleece of fog
To dull the stars.
The sheep looked up
From their sleep
And watched me
As I passed.
#DailyNature #Day3 #naturewriting #poetry
Reposted by Jen Ratcliffe
For today’s #DailyNature I’ve gone micro… this is moss growing in the groove at the bottom of the driver’s-side window of my meticulously maintained car. The moral? Perhaps that nature always wins in the end.
December 3, 2025 at 1:44 PM
For today’s #DailyNature I’ve gone micro… this is moss growing in the groove at the bottom of the driver’s-side window of my meticulously maintained car. The moral? Perhaps that nature always wins in the end.
Reposted by Jen Ratcliffe
In the last light of day,
A still time on the fell.
A bird calls above.
You turn.
Your inner horizon shifts.
You are rearranged,
just slightly, but enough.
💚 #DailyNature #NoticingNature
A still time on the fell.
A bird calls above.
You turn.
Your inner horizon shifts.
You are rearranged,
just slightly, but enough.
💚 #DailyNature #NoticingNature
December 3, 2025 at 7:31 AM
In the last light of day,
A still time on the fell.
A bird calls above.
You turn.
Your inner horizon shifts.
You are rearranged,
just slightly, but enough.
💚 #DailyNature #NoticingNature
A still time on the fell.
A bird calls above.
You turn.
Your inner horizon shifts.
You are rearranged,
just slightly, but enough.
💚 #DailyNature #NoticingNature
#DailyNature #Day2
Cabbage white underbellies of lavender leaves twirl into icicles from slow air. Today is the first day I could've mistake them. My bones awake from cool fire as moon and sun sit as equals in the sky. Yet yellow boats still float on branch ends waiting to launch...
#NatureWriting
Cabbage white underbellies of lavender leaves twirl into icicles from slow air. Today is the first day I could've mistake them. My bones awake from cool fire as moon and sun sit as equals in the sky. Yet yellow boats still float on branch ends waiting to launch...
#NatureWriting
December 2, 2025 at 4:17 PM
#DailyNature #Day2
Cabbage white underbellies of lavender leaves twirl into icicles from slow air. Today is the first day I could've mistake them. My bones awake from cool fire as moon and sun sit as equals in the sky. Yet yellow boats still float on branch ends waiting to launch...
#NatureWriting
Cabbage white underbellies of lavender leaves twirl into icicles from slow air. Today is the first day I could've mistake them. My bones awake from cool fire as moon and sun sit as equals in the sky. Yet yellow boats still float on branch ends waiting to launch...
#NatureWriting
Reposted by Jen Ratcliffe
The stars follow me
From the canal bank to the city
(Or do I follow them?).
Dimmer, but they are still there.
So too are the leaves
Of birch, rowan, and beech
Strewn beneath my feet.
Dandelion and pineapple weed
Burst among the cracks
That beetles call 'home.'
#DailyNature #poetry #naturewriting
From the canal bank to the city
(Or do I follow them?).
Dimmer, but they are still there.
So too are the leaves
Of birch, rowan, and beech
Strewn beneath my feet.
Dandelion and pineapple weed
Burst among the cracks
That beetles call 'home.'
#DailyNature #poetry #naturewriting
December 2, 2025 at 7:02 AM
The stars follow me
From the canal bank to the city
(Or do I follow them?).
Dimmer, but they are still there.
So too are the leaves
Of birch, rowan, and beech
Strewn beneath my feet.
Dandelion and pineapple weed
Burst among the cracks
That beetles call 'home.'
#DailyNature #poetry #naturewriting
From the canal bank to the city
(Or do I follow them?).
Dimmer, but they are still there.
So too are the leaves
Of birch, rowan, and beech
Strewn beneath my feet.
Dandelion and pineapple weed
Burst among the cracks
That beetles call 'home.'
#DailyNature #poetry #naturewriting
Look at the webbing in this ice 😍❄️
#DailyNature #Day2 #photography
Being close to nature :-)
#leaves #raindrops #macro #nature #balcony #berlin
Being close to nature :-)
#leaves #raindrops #macro #nature #balcony #berlin
December 2, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Look at the webbing in this ice 😍❄️
Beautiful capture
We start early & before dawn our ears tell us as much about our surroundings as our eyes do. This Tawny Owl did try to help, though, putting himself in silhouette against the pre-dawn sky. With sound on you’ll hear him calling, too. #DailyNature
Sorry 4 quality: he was far away & I only had phone.
Sorry 4 quality: he was far away & I only had phone.
December 2, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Beautiful capture
Reposted by Jen Ratcliffe
Seems only right for a massive shout out today for Rach Appleby (www.instagram.com/rachapplebya...) - who was chosen to illustrate my book cover. Do have a peek at Rach's fab portfolio... I particularly like her #birdart #nature #natureart #wildlifeart #urbannature #naturewriting
November 28, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Seems only right for a massive shout out today for Rach Appleby (www.instagram.com/rachapplebya...) - who was chosen to illustrate my book cover. Do have a peek at Rach's fab portfolio... I particularly like her #birdart #nature #natureart #wildlifeart #urbannature #naturewriting
Reposted by Jen Ratcliffe
#DailyNature #Day1 #photography
I’ve been wondering what my first photo for @jenratcliffe.bsky.social December #DailyNature challenge will be & then I came across this Great Tit in the park this morning which says: Where’s everyone? Let’s get started!
#birdsky #BirdOfTheDay #nature #parks #tits
I’ve been wondering what my first photo for @jenratcliffe.bsky.social December #DailyNature challenge will be & then I came across this Great Tit in the park this morning which says: Where’s everyone? Let’s get started!
#birdsky #BirdOfTheDay #nature #parks #tits
December 1, 2025 at 10:00 AM
#DailyNature #Day1 #photography
I’ve been wondering what my first photo for @jenratcliffe.bsky.social December #DailyNature challenge will be & then I came across this Great Tit in the park this morning which says: Where’s everyone? Let’s get started!
#birdsky #BirdOfTheDay #nature #parks #tits
I’ve been wondering what my first photo for @jenratcliffe.bsky.social December #DailyNature challenge will be & then I came across this Great Tit in the park this morning which says: Where’s everyone? Let’s get started!
#birdsky #BirdOfTheDay #nature #parks #tits
A lone moorhen rows across the canal, is such an accurate description to something I watch daily but in a way I've never read it as 💙
December comes
With sweeping rains.
Alder catkins glisten and drip,
Full of spring's promise.
A lone moorhen
Rows across the canal.
#DailyNature #poetry #December
#naturewriting #ukcanals
With sweeping rains.
Alder catkins glisten and drip,
Full of spring's promise.
A lone moorhen
Rows across the canal.
#DailyNature #poetry #December
#naturewriting #ukcanals
December 1, 2025 at 11:04 AM
A lone moorhen rows across the canal, is such an accurate description to something I watch daily but in a way I've never read it as 💙
Absolutely 💙💚 Love this photo and reminder, daily nature can be from your window or even and indoor plant or visiting wintering creepy crawly 🐌
For my first post to December’s #DailyNature challenge, a picture of my village to remind me that daily nature doesn’t necessarily need an expedition into the wilderness. Whether you live in town or, like me, in the countryside, nature is to be found in small corners as well as big landscapes.
December 1, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Absolutely 💙💚 Love this photo and reminder, daily nature can be from your window or even and indoor plant or visiting wintering creepy crawly 🐌
Who's ready for our third #DailyNature challenge month? Let's celebrate winter!
💙❄️🌬️🌨️
How:
*Dec 1st - 31st
*Post a daily nature observation
*Include #DailyNature
See:
*Solstice
*Murmurations
*Seed heads, moss, reds & dark
Here's a starter pack to get going:
go.bsky.app/RUhJfc6
#NatureWriting
💙❄️🌬️🌨️
How:
*Dec 1st - 31st
*Post a daily nature observation
*Include #DailyNature
See:
*Solstice
*Murmurations
*Seed heads, moss, reds & dark
Here's a starter pack to get going:
go.bsky.app/RUhJfc6
#NatureWriting
December 1, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Who's ready for our third #DailyNature challenge month? Let's celebrate winter!
💙❄️🌬️🌨️
How:
*Dec 1st - 31st
*Post a daily nature observation
*Include #DailyNature
See:
*Solstice
*Murmurations
*Seed heads, moss, reds & dark
Here's a starter pack to get going:
go.bsky.app/RUhJfc6
#NatureWriting
💙❄️🌬️🌨️
How:
*Dec 1st - 31st
*Post a daily nature observation
*Include #DailyNature
See:
*Solstice
*Murmurations
*Seed heads, moss, reds & dark
Here's a starter pack to get going:
go.bsky.app/RUhJfc6
#NatureWriting
Reposted by Jen Ratcliffe
👇I’m looking forward to the upcoming #DailyNature in December.
I’m even contemplating to take out my big camera for it which I haven’t used in a while, originally due to an injury.
You can find out more about it on Jen Ratcliffe’s Substack. 👇
#nature #photography #poetry #naturewriting #amwriting
I’m even contemplating to take out my big camera for it which I haven’t used in a while, originally due to an injury.
You can find out more about it on Jen Ratcliffe’s Substack. 👇
#nature #photography #poetry #naturewriting #amwriting
The countdown to #DailyNature challenge for December has begun 💙
Thanks to everyone who has joined in during June and September, this has brought me so much joy
Here's a Substack reflecting on the new season and new ways to join in & be featured
#NatureWriting
open.substack.com/pub/jenratcl...
Thanks to everyone who has joined in during June and September, this has brought me so much joy
Here's a Substack reflecting on the new season and new ways to join in & be featured
#NatureWriting
open.substack.com/pub/jenratcl...
#DailyNature: A Solstice Community Challenge
A challenge I began on BlueSky every solstice is coming to Substack!
open.substack.com
November 27, 2025 at 11:51 AM
👇I’m looking forward to the upcoming #DailyNature in December.
I’m even contemplating to take out my big camera for it which I haven’t used in a while, originally due to an injury.
You can find out more about it on Jen Ratcliffe’s Substack. 👇
#nature #photography #poetry #naturewriting #amwriting
I’m even contemplating to take out my big camera for it which I haven’t used in a while, originally due to an injury.
You can find out more about it on Jen Ratcliffe’s Substack. 👇
#nature #photography #poetry #naturewriting #amwriting