Monsterology

In this post, a faerie is asking for ‘your’ name. The way he is wording it, however, and the accompanying beckoning motion, makes it seem as though he is asking for you to physically hand your name over. Which, because of how some faeries operate, he is.

In this instance, saying your name aloud to the fae would be literally giving your name over to him, the exact consequences of which are left up to the imagination–usually, a fae even knowing your name gives it some measure of power over you, but giving something your name would likely let it completely take over your life.

Original caption:

Noctilucent clouds (NLC’s) are one of nature’s most fascinating and intriguing astronomical phenomena. They are very elusive and only form when the right conditions are met. They are made of tine ice crystals that strangely appear in the summer in the northern hemisphere, when the lower part of our atmosphere is at its warmest and the upper part at its coldest because of gas expanding upwards. Around the summer mesopause, if temperatures drop below minus 120 Celsius, the rare moisture present can aggregate onto dust particles and nucleate, forming the ice particles visible in noctilucent clouds. However NLC’s are visible only when the light hits these crystals with the right scattering geometry.

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You don’t have to travel far or go to super remote places to see good birds. That’s one of the great things about them! Birds are very accessible (too accessible) wildlife. You can see cool species doing cool things at your local park, wooded lot, retention pond, or landfill.

Don’t feel like you have to shell out for super expensive binoculars/scopes/cameras/etc, especially when you’re just starting out. 

NEVER make eye contact with a wild bird

Your local Audubon chapter or other bird club can be a great resource for learning local hotspots, and building up your ID skills. These clubs are usually happy (desperate) for new blood

Wear body armor no less than 4 inches thick. Kevlar highly recommended

A good field guide is a must have. Even experienced birders keep one on hand for reference. There are also great bird ID apps. I use Merlin myself

If a bird’s shadow passes over you, you must burn all your clothes and purify your body immediately.

I always recommend visiting bodies of water for novice birders. First, they’re great places to see wildlife in general. But mostly it’s that wading birds and waterfowl are big, easier to ID, conspicuous, usually stationary, and the nearby water is convenient for emergency purification rituals.

Yes, they are watching you too.

Remember, birds are wildlife and can easily become stressed out. Please give them their space, especially in the spring and summer breeding season.