Wasp spider (paprastasis vapsvavoris) in web | Wild Lithuania | www.junemolloy.com
Wild Lithuania

Autumn comes too early

The weather has turned distinctly autumny over the past few weeks. We went from blazing heat every day for most of July to wind, rain, mist and chilly temperatures just as August began. While a bit of respite from the heat is welcome, I'm not ready for autumn just yet! Chestnut trees are always the… Continue reading Autumn comes too early

Song Thrush | www.junemolloy.com
Wild Lithuania

Song Thrush

Hark, how blithe the throstle singsAnd he is no mean preacherCome forth into the light of thingsLet Nature be your teacherWilliam WOrdsworth I spend many hours in the forest and have been fascinated for some time by the song of a mysterious bird I could never see. It was reminiscent of a child's toy -… Continue reading Song Thrush

Wood Violet (Kvapioji našlaitė) | www.junemolloy.com
Wild Lithuania

Wildflowers

Spring came late in Lithuania this year. Winter didn't start in earnest until January, but it found its feet quickly and dug in hard. Snow fell on top of snow and temperatures held at about -19 C (-2 F) until the end of February. It was beautiful to behold, even if it cost a small… Continue reading Wildflowers

Roe Deer in Mist | www.junemolloy.com
Musings, Wild Lithuania

Living in the Moment

I envy animals sometimes. They live life in the moment. If they feel like eating, they eat. If they feel like sleeping, they sleep. And while they're alert for danger and will bolt if they feel the need, they return to their relaxed state very quickly. No need to dwell on that last danger. No… Continue reading Living in the Moment

Roe Deer Herd | www.junemolloy.com
Wild Lithuania

Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen…

"You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen...🎼" "Not again, Robert - WE'RE NOT REINDEER!" Like what you see? Then please subscribe for updates on my writing, photography & daily life. You can also follow on Facebook and Twitter. You can view more of my wildlife photos here and here.

Pale Morning Sun | www.junemolloy.com
Wild Lithuania

Pale Morning Sun

I find snow very soothing. It dulls sounds, softens light, quietens the mind. Having a dog is great for getting you out of the house and into the fresh air, even when the temperatures have fallen well below zero. I walk about 4 km each morning, and even though I regularly take the same route,… Continue reading Pale Morning Sun

Ask the Author | www.junemolloy.com
Books, Guardian of Giria

Ask the Author – Millie’s Questions

One of the greatest joys of writing books for kids (or for any audience, to be honest) is getting positive feedback from readers. It takes a long time to write a book, and even longer to get it published, so hearing that people have read and enjoyed your work is extremely gratifying. A friend wrote… Continue reading Ask the Author – Millie’s Questions

Palanga, Baltic Sea, Lithuania | www.junemolloy.com
Wild Lithuania

Stuck in Colder Weather

I know lots of people are feeling "stuck" right now, with all the travel restrictions that are in place. I managed to make it to the seaside a few days ago. It was the first time I'd ever seen snow on sand and slushy ice at the water's edge. Between the sky, the sea and… Continue reading Stuck in Colder Weather

Red Deer Hind | www.junemolloy.com
Wild Lithuania

Red Deer Hind with Calf

I've waited so long to take these pictures. I know they're not perfect, but when one of your favourite animals strolls out from the trees a few metres away, you take whatever photos you can get, regardless of the strong shadows. Red deer feature prominently in my middle-grade novel, Guardian of Giria, and I have… Continue reading Red Deer Hind with Calf

Bean Goose Migration, Lithuania | www.junemolloy.com
Wild Lithuania

Bean Goose Migration

There are days when I go out to take photos and seeing nothing of interest. Perhaps a few roe deer that run off as I approach or a fox skulking by a distant hedgerow. I regularly see birds, but most are small and skittish and have moved on before I can lift my camera. Once… Continue reading Bean Goose Migration

Grey Wolf | www.junemolloy.com
Books, Guardian of Giria

Why the Wolves are not the Bad Guys

One question that has come up a number of times when chatting with readers about Guardian of Giria is why I made wolves the “bad guys”. And my answer is this – the wolves are not the “bad guys,” they are the antagonists. And those are not the same thing. Let me explain. (Please note… Continue reading Why the Wolves are not the Bad Guys

Wild Boar Nighttime Feeding, Lithuania | www.junemolloy.com
Wild Lithuania

Wild Boar Feeding Project, Tauragė (Lithuania)

Oh, the joy! Oh, the sweet, sweet joy! Finally, after years of searching and waiting, I got to see a wild boar in the flesh. But not just one boar – a whole sounder (group) of sows and piglets! And the experience was everything I hoped it would be! Norėdami skaityti šį straipsnį lietuvių kalba,… Continue reading Wild Boar Feeding Project, Tauragė (Lithuania)

Vaga Bookshop, Taurage | www.junemolloy.com
Books, Guardian of Giria

Vaga Bookshop, Tauragė

I'm delighted to announce that "Guardian of Giria" is now available from Vaga bookshop in Tauragė! Su dideliu džiaugsmu pranešu kad nuo šiandien, "Guardian of Giria" galite įsigyti knygyne "Vaga" Bažnyčių gatvė 6. Tauragėje. Like what you see? Then please subscribe for updates on my writing, photography & daily life. You can also follow on… Continue reading Vaga Bookshop, Tauragė

Apple Cheese | www.junemolloy.com
Books, Guardian of Giria

Waldorf Green School, Vilnius

This week, I visited the Waldorf Green School in the village of Skirgiškės, about an hour north of Vilnius. The school is set about two kilometres from the village, deep within the forest, where it is surrounded by paddocks and lots and lots of trees. The classrooms, all built of wood and each with their… Continue reading Waldorf Green School, Vilnius

Sparkling Spider's Web | www.junemolloy.com
Wild Lithuania

Sparkling Webs

There is something soothing about September. After the build-up of spring and the crescendo of summer, things are slowly starting to wind down. The ouch is gone out of the sun but it is still warm enough to be outside, sometimes even in shorts and a t-shirt. The evenings are noticeably shorter but there is… Continue reading Sparkling Webs

High Tea in the High Hide | www.junemolloy.com
Wild Lithuania

High Tea in a High Hide!

This is how to do September - high tea in a high hide! Two thick slices of homemade sourdough, slathered with homemade mayo, Two soft-boiled eggs, still warm, One home-grown tomato, One home-grown apple, A mug of tea, A fantastic view, Camera in hand ... And a gorgeous evening! Like what you see? Then please… Continue reading High Tea in a High Hide!

Common Cranes (Grus Grus) | www.junemolloy.com
Wild Lithuania

Cranes in the Mist

It appears our area is a congregation site for common cranes (grus grus) - thousands of them gather each autumn in the fields around our village, getting ready for the long flight south. They are a little skittish, so getting close can be tricky, but they are a magnificent sight to behold. Like what you… Continue reading Cranes in the Mist

Are Animal Books Waning in Popularity? | www.junemolloy.com
Writing

Are Animal Books Waning in Popularity?

‘How could books about wizards, werewolves, hobbits and fairies be desirable, but books about real-life animals not be? Have the animal books that I loved so much in my youth died a death?’ My guest post for Mairead Hearne of the wonderful Swirl and Thread. Read the full post here. Like what you see? Then… Continue reading Are Animal Books Waning in Popularity?

Ruddy Darter (Dragonfly) | www.junemolloy.com
Wild Lithuania

Darter Invader

My field guide tells me that this is a Ruddy Darter, but I don't believe it. I've seen this guy somewhere before. In a movie. I'm sure of it. Dragonflies are my favourite insects and maybe even one of my favourite wildlife species. They are ancient, with fossils dating back over 325 million years and,… Continue reading Darter Invader

Amalgamation | www.junemolloy.com
Writing

Amalgamation

I have spread myself too thin. Somehow I have ended up with 5 Facebook pages, 2 Twitter accounts and 2 blogs, none of which is currently well attended. So, in an attempt to simplify my life, I am cutting back! I am now amalgamating all my writing and photography efforts under this one blog. There… Continue reading Amalgamation

Guardian of Giria Characters | www.guardianofgiria.com
Books, Guardian of Giria

Characters in Guardian of Giria

Giria Wood is a large forest with a healthy population of animal families, many of whom feature in the story. Some are main characters and others are just family members who are mentioned once or twice. Together, they make quite a cast of characters. To help you keep track of who's who, I have put… Continue reading Characters in Guardian of Giria

Guardian of Giria Hardbacks | www.guardianofgiria.com
Books, Guardian of Giria

The Hardbacks Have Arrived!

The first batch of hardbacks arrived today and they are totally gorgeous (even if I do say so myself!) To order, see here. Complimentary bookmark included with all orders (while stocks last!) Like what you see? Then please subscribe for updates on my writing, photography & daily life. You can also follow on Facebook and… Continue reading The Hardbacks Have Arrived!

Guardian of Giria, by June Molloy | www.junemolloy.com
Books, Guardian of Giria

Guardian of Giria – Book Trailer!

I had a lot of fun making this. I hope you enjoy it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbRg8YD1DOo Like what you see? Then please subscribe for updates on my writing, photography & daily life. You can also follow on Facebook and Twitter. You can view more of my wildlife photos here and here.

Red Deer Stags | www.guardianofgiria.com
Wild Lithuania

Red Deer Antlers: Annual Regrowth

A red deer stag with a massive crown of antlers is a very impressive sight. And indeed, that is part of their function – to make the stag look more impressive to the ladies. It takes a lot of testosterone to grow those antlers and it takes a lot of food to nourish them, so… Continue reading Red Deer Antlers: Annual Regrowth

Books, Guardian of Giria

Introducing: Guardian of Giria!

It feels like I've been waiting such a long time to bring you this news and I am very, very excited. On Tuesday, May 8th 2018 I will be releasing my very first novel, Guardian of Giria. This book has been a long time in the making. It began in the summer of 2016, when… Continue reading Introducing: Guardian of Giria!