my submission to Leanne Cole’s Monochrome Madness (4-9) this week was this lovely butterfly at one of my hanging baskets.
I had no idea that internet connection might be a problem from time to time when you live outside of town!! but that means I actually get to go out more!
and when days are full of summer..
It’s magical
the back deck
I was once told a story about a relative of mine who got lost inside a fairy fort for hours (in Ireland of course), walking in circles trying to find the gate out, so, to keep peace with the fair folk, I always kept an overgrown place at the foot of the garden for the wild spirits to come and play. Now I have a whole forest to entertain any elemental spirits and other creatures. But be careful, fairies are very vain and temperamental and you mustn’t annoy them in any way.
(which brings me to the Dark Fairy Lore)
Ballyalban Fairy Fort
Dark Fairy in the shadows
“…..Though they searched high and low, little Freddy was nowhere to be found. They only saw the shoe he had hurled in a fit of temper at the poor creature. The mushroom where they first saw the tiny sylph sitting and humming it’s strange tunes had withered, and the dark fairy never returned to the shadowed land at the bottom of the garden.”
( For me endings often come before beginnings!! I’ll try to work on that!)
and baby birds
the secret world of tree stumps
deer resting on rise
Happy Solstice everyone!
the runes of the gatekeeper's daughter- dedicated to Nick 
I was thinking of you the other day when I read about Griffiths cousins and Cottingley Fairies and of course on the International Fairy Day – June 24th.And here you are with a brilliant post to celebrate the arrival of summer.Magically beautiful all your photos as always,dear Cybele.Great the source of your inspiration.In every culture there is some reference to a spirit or other supernatural creatures who perform good or evil deeds,but the intricately woven stories into the culture of the Celts,are literally otherworldly.Loved the majestic light of your storytelling photos.
Enjoy your summertime,dear friend 🙂
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Hannah, I too am at the edges of connectivity and can’t get likes to load right now. Pictures do sometimes. I hope you know I enjoy your posts all the time. I’ll be checking back as some days are better than others, plus time away working on fixing up a house I am renting with friends. 😅
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Thank you so much dear Robert!!
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Very interesting story about your relative who got lost in a fairy fort! The pictures are also beautiful!
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many thanks for your comment and follow Lore. I see you like strange tales. Do check out a few of mine here on the blog!! 🙂
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That butterfly image is quite stunning… and so is the deer. But I like the 2nd dark fairy photo most of all… she has such an enigmatic expression. Did you get someone to model for you? She really looks otherworldly.
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So glad for your visit Ali!! I am very behind as usual! Actually that is a doll face and I used a face app also and it turned out beautifully. I quite loved it too!! Thank you!
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Very clever! I would never have known it was a doll face!
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the face app is very good!! Thank you Ali!
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Such a lovely tale …. The images are magical, dear Cybele… I truly like your post.
Enjoy your summer, dear… It is winter here in the Southern Hemisphere (oh, how I miss those warn summer days! 😉 ) Love & best wishes ⭐
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Many thanks Aquileana!! So glad you popped over!
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Your photos are so very enchanting it is as though I have entered into the garden and into the forest with the magical creatures and enjoying every minute. Thank You!
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so pleased you like them Renee!! Thank you!
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Magical Cybele, I do love that deer peering through the undergrowth!
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yes I just published another lol! Thank you Andrea!
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I just love the butterfly .. so beautiful.
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thank you Julie!!
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A whole forest…. how amazing! Love the lighting of these photos, stunningly beautiful!
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thanks so much Amy!! ( late again lol)
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A post so appropriate for the solstice, Cybele. I loved your little stories, the music and, of course, your wonderful photos. I’ll be extra careful not to annoy any vain and temperamental fairies next time I meet them in the woods and wild places around our village. So lovely, Cybele. Thank you.
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Many thanks Millie, I’ve been so busy lately I missed a few comments!!
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Have you read The Stolen Child (Keith Donohue), or Little, Big (John Crowley)? They are both excellent takes on the darker aspects of the Fae (:
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I think I must!! Thanks so much for popping over Chris!!
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From fairy love to butterflies, you delight us with this post!! And yes you’re right that less computer and more time outside in summer is a good idea 😉
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glad you agree Christy- we’re in for a warm weekend! thank you for popping by my dear!!!
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I love the butterfly, absolutely. internet less and woods more sounds like a winner to me, Hannah. 🙂
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thank you so much Robert!!
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Love the photos Cybele; the butterfly and the tree stump are fantastic.
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Hey thank you Aidy!!!
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Love the butterfly! Of course, I love all your photos! 😉 Enjoyed the music, too. Riverdance was such fun to watch!
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oh I knew you’d like the music too!! Thank you Linda!!
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Happy Summer Solstice, Hannah!
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thanks Sue!! 🙂 Hope it ‘s a sunny summer!!
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😀
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ha!
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Beautiful pictures as always and like hearing the wonderful stories of your homeland 🙂
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So glad you like the post Alexa! Thank you my friend!
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Beautiful images and story, my friend – and how I would like fairies and spirits to play in my garden – haha! its certainly wild enough! 😀
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they probably do, it’s just hard to catch sight of them!! thanks Adrian!!
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Simply beautiful
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thank you Sheldon!! 🙂
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You are an amazing artist with light. I’ve always admired your color images but this week am floored by your black and white! Just beautiful.
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oh thanks so much Emilio. I’m honoured as I love your work too!
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Gorgeous photos, my friend, and I’m already concocting stories about the secret world of tree stumps!
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ha, let me know when you do!!! thanks Moz!!
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Oh my, how lovely to sit here with the rain pouring down and listen to the music, look at your pictures and imagine summer. Thank you for such beautiful post x
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oh I am so glad you enjoy!! What? no sun in Scotland!!? Hugs and sunshine Shey!!
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Sun today so hugs for the hugs xxxxxx
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🙂
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How lovely, each and everyone. Does you good to escape to fairyland every so often.
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oh yes!! Thanks Paula!!
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The Tiger Swallowtail looks great in B&W. Lovely post.
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It did turn out well! Thank you Sherry!
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Stunning black and white photos, beautiful contrast. Your art is as always – you know I love it!
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ahh thanks Ritva and same here for yours!!
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Beautiful 💜💜
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thank you Laina!
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You’re very welcome! 😊💓💓
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I love your photos. How lovely you are shining again. 🙂 I’m away with the fairies this week myself. I’ve started a new haiku/haibun prompt site and the first prompt is about Ireland. I’m planning on writing about the Tuatha de Danann myself and should have the post up sometime tomorrow – https://ontheroadprompts.wordpress.com/2017/06/20/the-journey-begins/
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thanks Suzanne- will check out yours too!
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Try as I might to have an ordered sequential blog I seem to be creating yet another that wanders all over the place. I thought I’d post you the link to my piece about Ireland otherwise you may never find it 🙂 https://wordandimagecollages.wordpress.com/2017/06/23/an-irish-blessing/
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thank you!!
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What’s the name of the song, Cybele?
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Hey Crow, it’s a song from River Dance- dance of love I believe!
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Thanks! I enjoyed it!
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I love, love, love that butterfly!
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me too, I was quite pleased with how it looked in monochrome! thank you Deb!
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The pictures exude beauty and mystery. Just like fairies.
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oh good!! what a lovely compliment! Thanks Anita!
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Enjoyed the story and photos. 🙂
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Much pleased! thanks Maverick!!
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