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Location: North Cornwall Coast Photographer: Rowena Castillo Nicholls Videographer: Rob Nicholls Species: Cornish Choughs, Ravens, Jackdaw, Rooks, Carrion Crow, Peregrine Falcon, Kestrel, Buzzard, Gannet, Fulmar, Buzzard, Kestrel, Wheatear, Skylark, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit and a lot more... Wildlife on the North Cornwall Coast
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Location: St Ladoca's Church Church of St Crida St Cuby's Church St Michael Penkevil Church St Rumon’s Church St Philleigh Church St Just in Roseland Church Photographer: Rowena Castillo Nicholls Videographer: Rob Nicholls In the Philippines, we religiously and devotedly celebrate Easter. It's a national holiday on a Maundy Thursday and Good Friday plus Black Saturday and Easter Sunday, you end up with 4 days holiday. Bisita Iglesia or the Seven Churches Visitation is a pious Roman Catholic Lenten tradition to visit seven churches on the evening of Maundy Thursday. During the Seven Churches Visitation, the faithful visit several churches – sometimes seven, sometimes fourteen, sometimes no set number depending upon the particular practice – to pray before the Blessed Sacrament in each church. First church for our "Bisita Iglesia" is the St Ladoca's Church. 2nd church for our "Bisita Iglesia" is the Church of St Crida. 3rd church for our "Bisita Iglesia" is the St Cuby's Church. 4th church for our "Bisita Iglesia" is the St Michael Penkevil Church. 5th church for our "Bisita Iglesia" is the St Rumon’s Church. 6th church for our "Bisita Iglesia" is the St Philleigh Church. 7th church for our "Bisita Iglesia" is the St Just in Roseland Church, my favourite church. A legend says that Joseph of Arimathea may have brought Jesus ashore here. Whether that is true or not, many people do feel the presence of God here, just as people have through the centuries. Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday is the start of the main Easter celebrations in the Philippines, which is part of the larger Holy Week celebrations. According to Biblical tradition, Jesus was crucified on the Cross on a Friday (hence, “Good Friday”), and Maundy Thursday commemorates the events leading up to the Crucifixion. Maundy (also known as the “Washing of the Feet”) is a religious rite. A re-enactment of the Lord’s Supper and Jesus washing his disciples’ feet are often observed on this day. Filipinos traditionally visit either seven or 14 churches (this tradition is called visita iglesia or “to visit churches”) where this re-enactment is held. Good Friday Good Friday is part of the Christian Easter Week celebrations (also known as ‘Holy Week’). Good Friday is two days before Easter Sunday, which normally coincides with the March Equinox and may also coincide with the Jewish Passover. Good Friday in the Philippines is a national public holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The crucifixion is symbolised by the Cross and, according to the Biblical Gospels, it was by this ancient form of death penalty that Jesus Christ sacrificed himself and died so that he could save humanity from their sins. Easter is a solemn holiday season and many Filipinos abstain from activities they may deem as ‘worldly’ (e.g. drinking alcohol). On Good Friday, many choose to abstain from eating meat and often pray and fast as part of their religious traditions. Masses are held in the early afternoon to commemorate and reflect on Jesus’ crucifixion. According to Christian scriptures, Jesus died on the cross at 3pm, so it is at this time in the mass that people become silent and meditate on Jesus’ sacrificial death. Catholic Filipinos observe the Stations of the Cross as part of the Good Friday mass. These ‘stations’ are often paintings or sculptures that depict specific moments of Jesus on his way to be crucified. They are also often re-enacted by actors as part of an Easter procession. In the Philippines in particular, some people even go so far as to crucify themselves on a wooden cross to symbolise their devotion, as part of their penance or vow. Black Saturday On “Black Saturday,” preparations are made for the late-night Easter vigil at church. There, the Gloria is sung, and some call it “Glorious Saturday.” In some places, an effigy of Judas is hung and burned up, though sometimes, he is blown to pieces by firecrackers. At midnight, the fasting and mourning ends because it is finally the day on which Christ arose from the grave in victory. A 4am on Easter Morning, a ceremony commemorates the meeting of Mary and Jesus after the Resurrection. The black-veiled image of Mary is unveiled by one or more people dressed up like angels, and sometimes, the veil is tied to balloons or a dove to be carried away in the air. The image of Christ also is unveiled, and flowers and confetti fall down on the statues of both Mary and Jesus. Bells ring and fireworks explode in the sky. Legend has it, however, that if the veil is removed only with difficulty, bad luck will accompany the year to come. Location: The Lost Gardens of Heligan Photographer: Rowena Castillo Nicholls Videographer: Rob Nicholls After a long day of working infront of my computer updating websites, writing blogs, editing a photoshoot, it's great to have some fresh Cornish air and a walk around the beautiful The Lost Gardens of Heligan. It's also a great chance to renew my annual membership. Too bad, my favourite Magnolia flowers are gone now. But there's still plenty of Daffodils and Camellias. Location: Trelusback Farm Photographer: Rowena Castillo Nicholls Videographer: Rob Nicholls The weather had been really lovely. Sunny and warm. I had a wonderful day at Keith Wilson's Trelusback Farm. In the morning, we had a fantastic talk on ORKS, Online wildlife Recording for Kernow and Scilly from our guest speaker Steve Crummay, Chair of The Environmental Records Centre for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Advisory Board. In the afternoon, we had a walk around Keith Wilson's lovely farm. We've seen loads of amazing wildlife. Thank you Keith Wilson for your hospitality. Thank you Steve Crummay for the very informative talk. Thank you Gloria for Purple Buddleia. I had an enjoyable and fun filled day. Location: Roseland Peninsula North Cornwall Coast Photographer: Rowena Castillo Nicholls Videographer: Rob Nicholls Species: Roseland Peninsula - Cornish Chough, Peregrine, Golden Plover, Stonechat, Divers and Seals North Cornwall Coast - Cornish Choughs, Peregrine, Fulmar and Gannets, North Cornwall Coast Location: Roseland Peninsula Pendower-Carne Beach The Quaterdeck, The Nare Hotel Photographer: Rowena Castillo Nicholls Videographer: Rob Nicholls Species: Cornish Chough, Peacock and a lot more... What better way to celebrate the "Spring Equinox" than Chough Watching! Every year, on spring time, me and Rob do the Chough Watch as it is the breeding season. We always have a great time Chough Watching on the Roseland Peninsula to the North Cornwall Coast. Me and Rob have been Chough Watching since I moved to Cornwall in 2009 but 5 years officially. A few days ago we even received "The Swift Long Service Award" and a gorgeous Swift pin badge in recognition of 5 years' volunteering with the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) at the RSPB's Pre-Season get together in Botallack Count House. Sooo happy! March Equinox in Truro, England, United Kingdom is today, Tuesday, 20 March 2018, 16:15 GMT. Equal Day and Night, nearly. The March equinox marks the moment the Sun crosses the celestial equator – the imaginary line in the sky above the Earth’s equator – from south to north. This happens on March 19, 20, or 21 every year. There are two equinoxes every year – in March and September – when the Sun shines directly on the equator and the length of night and day are nearly equal. Cornish Chough Enjoyable walk at Pendower-Carne Beach to celebrate the Spring Equinox with Rob and Simon. What a gorgeous day, sunny with a slight breeze. After that lovely walk, we need to recharge. We had a scrumptious high tea at "The Quaterdeck in The Nare Hotel" while enjoying the spectacular view of Gerrans Bay.
Location: Grampound Road, Cornwall Photographer: Rowena Castillo Nicholls Videographer: Rob Nicholls These are just some of the amazing wildlife I have in my garden. They are well-fed all throughout the year. It's really great to see them in my garden everyday. Most of my birds loves the Sunflower Hearts, Nyjer Seeds and Suet Balls. I feed my Robins with Sultanas and Mealworm. Location: Roseland Peninsula Photographer: Rowena Castillo Nicholls Videographer: Rob Nicholls Had a lovely walk on the Roseland Peninsula... From Pendower to Carne Beach... From Porthscatho to Towan Beach... Cornish Chough Location: Hayle Estuary Nature Reserve Species: 1x Pintail, 8x Lapwing, 1x Dunlin, 5x Teal, 10++ Wigeon, 30++ Redshank, 10++ Greenshank 20++ Godwits, 1x Firecrest, 2x Little Egret, 1x Grey Heron and a lot more... Photo Credit: Rowena Castillo Video Credit: Rob Nicholls Location: Botallack Count House, Botallack, Cornwall What a brilliant day!!! Me and Rob Nicholls were so delighted to received "The Swift Long Service Award" and a gorgeous Swift pin badge in recognition of 5 years' volunteering with the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) at the RSPB's Pre-Season get together in Botallack Count House. We also had a lovely coastal walk on the cliffs. Loads of amazing wildlife flying around. When we got home I have a letter confirming that I have been accepted and enrolled in my Teaching course. Hooray. Today is my lucky day. It's going to be a a very busy Spring and Summer season for me. As of this moment, all my days are now officially fully booked. Thank God, I'm good in multi-tasking and I have an excellent time management skill. I can juggle my work, school, my volunteering activities with RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) and CBMS (Cornwall Butterfly and Moth Society). But the most important thing is, I love what I'm doing and I enjoy every moment. It gives me happiness, contentment and self satisfaction. God is great, all the time! He answers all our prayers. |
Rowena
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