Eye on Nature

I'm sending you a photograph of a Brocken spectre that I took on my way back from Pinnacle Gully, King's Mountain, Glencar.
Jim McMorrow
Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim

The spectre was the magnified shadow of the observer, who was looking down from a ridge into mist, with the sun behind. The spectre is a known but occasional phenomenon.

My son and I spotted two herons fishing at the Ha'penny Bridge in Dublin at 11.30pm. There was an occasional flash of silver as they caught, probably, an eel.
Pat Nash
Knocklyon, Dublin

My hazel tree has had catkins for weeks. A recent hike up Mullaghmore revealed all the bushes to be similarly dressed.
Pearse Ryan
Limerick

More indications of nature getting contradictory or premature signals.

While fishing on Lough Ramor on December 4th I saw two red admiral butterflies.
Liam Kane
Blanchardstown, Dublin

They may be hoping to hibernate.

Michael Viney welcomes observations at Thallabawn, Carrowniskey PO, Westport, Co Mayo, or by email at viney@anu.ie. Please include a postal address