'The Shadow Elves'-2013

'The Shadow Elves'
The Shadow Elves as they are also sometimes known are one of the most mystifying elven tribes of the race. Their realm is the noxious and odoriferous water marshes in the Northern Sarvonia  where the Injera has hid her Countenance for many thousands of a Milena. The origins of these Shadow Elves are called the Mo'hrhim tribe- then as they evolved to the shadow elves. as nebulous as their dark - lit lands. but it is said that the  present water marshes reside upon the ruins of the legendary - And elven city of their descendants of those who had refused to abandon the city even after it was a land of dust by the gods. So they were the directed descendants from the original elves that were here as one race before their god came to them and first made their world here on earth dark then light then their gods left them be and these shadow Elves have made the old ancient ruins the home. Which has become a great Water Marsh Land ruled by the Bone Queen-

The Shadow Elves are presently ruled by Avash'aelia who according to the legends is the Queen who has been their ruler and the Queen for thousands of a Milena to present day-

But she is very rarely seen by anyone outside the wall of their Kingdom-

The Queen has many names but her most feared title is the BONE QUEEN- And with it, she rules the Water Marshes and its inhabitants completely without per. Rumored to be as ancient and eternal as the light elves of the Thaelon, she is also quite insane and those who dare cross her borders do it out of extreme desperation or a madness rivalling the Queen's such trespassers are , like a bad tale never seen again.

Appearance

Like  their tribal namesake, the Shadow Elves over the ages, evolved into a shadow like form. These shadow forms are a kin to normal life elven kin. The shadow elves or shadow cast of that once elf can flit  independently across walls & spaces with a fluidity that is at once impressive & frightening to behold. A rare survivor, as this record is been written, who stumbled upon the Water Marshes once - described that the shattered walls of the city are thick with constantly moving shadows that whisper incessantly. 
Whispers that one can hear but can never make out the word within-
How & why they have evolved into shadows is a matter hotly debated by the elves & human historians - But the popular reasoning seems to be that it is the effects of a curse laid down by the Gods during the destruction of Fa'av'calar. Cursed, the elves - as they had dared to stay on in the city after its demise. If the Shadow elves were to venture away from the boundaries of the water marshes, it is said that they will melt away to nothing under the harsh light of the sun.
Another explanation is that these shadow - changing ability is merely a facet of adapting and surviving a harsh & unfriendly environment.The water marshes are well - documented to be constantly brimming with a sulfuring fog that comes form the creatures that live in the area. Within a few days - a human would quickly perish. But in their shadow forms the Moh'rhim seem not to mind the lethal and venomous air that surrounded them.
Though these shadow elves may seemed to look to be the unfortunate ones. They  used their ability to change into shadows to their advantage by befuddling any enemies and keeping the borders of the  cities sate from trespassers. 
Shadow Elves

Similar to their cousins the light elves, the Moh'rhim rarely take on a corporeal shape. When they do physically coalesce, their skin is ebony and their eyes are large and dark. Their Queen, Avash'aelia is said to have a fondness for the physical form and unlike the rest of her subjects, choose to appear as a terribly scarred young elven women with hair as black as the deepest caves and the darkest forest in the Elven. As far as the why the Bone Queen usually appears in an a corporeal state. Unlike most of her subjects, she is powerful to withstand the noxious fumes emitted by the bog of the water marshes. So there was no reason for her to adapt to her immediate surrounding to survive as the rest of the shadow elves had too.
Like most of the elven races, the Moh'rhim are very beautiful to behold when they choose to manifest themselves in a corporeal form though their beauty is like that of a waning moon on a cold starlit night rather than the bright, unearthly, loveliness of the Astyrhim or the fierce handsomeness of the Tethinrhim~
Bogs
Term used for bogs in the water marshes in their cities of the shadow elves are used for human burials ,human sacrifices, a place where usually human-elev-and other human like bodies have been found their doom. These are marshes places that have  a highly acid peat moss. The reason that bogs permit a high level of preservation is because they are both acidic and anaerobic (oxygen - poor) when a body is thrown into a blog, the cold water will hinder pure faction and insect activity. Sphagnum mosses and the presence to tannin add to the preservation by having anti-bacterial properties. 
Territory
The Shadow elf inhabit the wide expanse of the water marshes in North Sarvonia . It is a cheerless realm, filled with treacherous bogs that if you get suck in one, you'll be pulled down to its bottomless depths faster than anti spell of any elf of the Queen of Bones. The air is always thick with injurious fumes and cloudy everyday even in the day time as the sun's rays are unable to penetrate through the noxious vapours. 

The Shadow Elves guard their borders with jealously from outsiders and it is very rare to see a shadow elev leave the boundaries of the Water Marshes. 
There has been talk among scholars that the Shadow Elves are reluctant to leave their special realm, due to the fact that they have been in shadows for so long, that light, when it touches them, will destroy them immediately. It is said, there has never been seen one leave - so who knows if that is true?
People

Even though the Shadow Elves have been looked upon by their cousins as agents of evil, just because they have a fondness for the shadows. They are not inherently devious or black of heart. They maintain a studiously neutral stand among themselves. Their Queen Avashaelia - The Bone Queen - remains one of the most powerful elven rulers of all Elves. Even the most Powerful Realms would think twice before crossing over the borders of her Water Marshes without her permission.

The Shadow Elves possess a power that has caused some to trepidation among their own kind when in shadow form, they can enter the mind of another living being and cause the will of that being to become their own for a short space of time. Because of this ability, others of their race often shun them, because of this ability, although the Shadow elves seldom use this power for domination or control -
All Shadow Elves have this power but the strength of it varies in degree's from elf to elf- Only a handful are strong to simultaneously control the will of several minds at once. Interesting, it is said that their Queen is not a true Shadow Elf as she does not possess the ability to morph into a shadow from or have the mind power the Elves do. She is always depicted in a physical form. 
The Queen in her longevity is said that she has been around since before time. That she is one of the first elves to step foot upon the earth and that she actually does have great powers far greater than any shadow changing And mind controlling than all her subjects in the Marsh Lands. 
Shadow Elves - Clothes
The Clothes of the Shadow Elves are simple yet functional . And elegant due to their melancholy nature,  they  prefer  clothing in the shades of black, grey or dull silvers. The men would usually tie their  hair back with a strap of leather while the women will let their hair loose down their backs without any adornments .The women also favour old - fashioned gowns reminiscent of those worn by their ancestors during the ancient times with a high neckline and long sleeves that  touch the ground when they walk. The men mostly wear dark - colours tunics cinched at the waist with a belt with similar coloured trousers and boots. 

The Shadow Elves are the descendants of the elves who refused to abandon the great Elven Empire after its destruction by their Gods- The Water Marshes itself is to said be its ruins and some say there are still living descendants from its original  inhabitants of the Great City, including their Queen.
Wendy.

Green Dragons-2013

Green Dragons-

 Few dragons are utterly reviled among the humans or elves as the Green dragons - also known as Forest dragons too. History of the Green Dragon~
Although Green dragons might not be as powerful or as destructive as some of their kin, they are innately & instinctively deceptive. They lie as easily as people can speak & they are very good at it. They love intrigue & prefer to achieve their goals through guile and double - dealing over any other means. As the Green Dragons would says, 'any brute can hunt - but it takes skill and intelligence  to trick one's prey into offering itself for dinner. Adding this attitude to a Greens belligerent nature - To  a Green Dragon a weak creature is either prey or pawn. And nearly all creatures are weak in the eyes of the Green dragon. This makes the Green dragon a loathsome and conniving beast in the eyes of many. 
The Life Style of the Green Dragon~-Green Dragons are among the most likely to interfere with nearby human or elf communities. Some Green dragons terrorize their neighbors into obedience - others play & experiment with the local political & mercantile interests. A Green Dragon might use bribes & intimidation to gain the cooperation of a few selected members of a community - then he might see how much authority he can obtain by proxy before other humans or elves have discover it mission of over taking the town.

-Greens might not have lofty goals for this sort of manipulation, they enjoy the process and the practice for its own sake.
-Green dragons might negotiate peaceful co-existence with their neighbors as long as territories as resources do not overlap - Anyone entering such an arrangement, however, should do so with great care - For the Green dragon will take a devilish delight in finding loopholes in such agreements.
-Green dragons prefer sentient mammalian prey over any other kinda prey.
-They live in a terrain often that's a canopy of vegetation of Thick Forest & Tall Tress to hide in the contour of the earth - Their lairs are in areas of the thick vegetation - they prefer temperate & cold forest to a steamy jungles and non forest lands - The Green Dragons are particularly in favor of the woods with large & imposing trees - The older and massive the better. Greens might accept a smaller woods, and less desirable one -  as an alternative - as well as jungles & overgrown bogs.
Bogs~
Bogs are found wherever there is high rainfall, which is typically in the rainforest where the Green Dragons live. They are also known to be in many part of Western Ireland. They are called blanket bogs because of their appearance. From a distance they appear homogeneous and they hug the topography like a blanket. With almost 1 million hectares of Ireland completely  by blanket bogs, it is far more common than the small scale raised bogs contrary to popular belief - blanket blogs are essentially are essentially a man made feature, if  environmentally and aided somewhat by the climate. 
Back in the days of the Dragons the Bogs were like a lake that had been completely filled with the surrounding landscape, wood deposits, peat grass, large trees, etc. Nothing really would survive in the bog. If anything got stuck in there well it would sink to the very depths of that bog to rot with everything else. My guess why the Green dragon liked the bog, was because it would supple food meaning animals or even humans or an unlucky elf stuck in there.

When a Green dragon cannot find a suitable forest or woodland, it might settle for an area of rolling hills by using the slops & valley for concealment in the same way that its  cousin kin use the forest & trees. 
-Green Dragons prefer caves in a forested with hills & cliff-sides for their lairs. Where they cannot find such convenient openings. They might topple the mightiest of the trees into great heaps and make their homes in hollows of these wooden hills. Some Green dragons even layer these large trees inside their lairs to give them a Fae touched.

The Green Dragon traits are Manipulative and deceptive. They enjoy intrigue & tricky. Their habit is mostly forest & Fae woods. They are in general evil and mean. And the Breath weapon is Poisonous Gas.
The Green Dragon is quite beautiful but is quite deadly. So always remember your dragon kin. And their traits it could save your life!!!
Wendy
Note: the beautiful images are not Mine.

Cherry Blooms - 2012

Cherry Blooms - 2012

Beauty in Nature

Many Jewels of pink

Food of the hummingbirds

Nature has so many beauty details

Fun with photography

Looking at a Cherry Bloom tree in a different way-

The beauty of Spring

Flowers can bring happiness to almost anyone 

Its raining cherry blooms'

One of my Happiest Days

I see a tiny green leaf can YOU?

The path to a Secret land

Feathers of flowers 

THE TREE

Tiny pink pillows 

JEWELS

Beauty in a tree of any kind

Raining in pink flowers 

For the love of Pink

Upside down Cherry Bloom Tree

Beauty in a photo

 Spring is Grand!

 Art in a Photograph 

 Raining Cherry Blooms

 I love Cherry blooms!

I love Spring!

 Art in a Photograph

Wendy 's Cherry Blooms 2012

A GUIDE FOR ATTRACTING FAERIES TO YOUR GARDEN-2012

'A GUIDE FOR ATTRACTING FAERIES TO YOUR GARDEN'

Many plants will attracted butterflies, hummingbirds & faeries - Some of the gardens favorites of the faeries are bee balm, sunflowers, honeysuckle, fernleaf, yarrow, summer lilac, red valerian, daisies, cosmos, rosemary, thyme, purple coneflower, pincushin, scabiosa, fresh lavender & heliotrope, nasturtiums, pansies, snapdragons, blue columbine, foxgloves, and there are many more undoubtedly that you can use.  You can use what works best in your own gardens too. Another way I have found that helps your garden in attracting faeries -  Is attracting your tiny friends with birdbaths, birdfeeders, hummingbird feeders too. You see the faeries are attracted to all the wild life, mostly the hummingbirds, butterflies and small birds.They seem to enjoy the same habitat as the butterflies, smaller birds, hummingbirds, even the honey bee's. All the planted flowers that I have stated above & the herbs, you will find another great attraction for the faeries - faeries love the sights and sounds of the water & flowers. Consider adding a small fountain, waterfall or even a fishpond in your garden. Garden Art statues of faeries will also attract the wee ones. Shiny windchimes, gazing globes and colorful garden flags with bright shiny colors in them. All these things can help you entice gnomes , elves & faeries to come into your garden. 

~Don't forget that the wee ones(the faeries) are nature loving and enjoy their fun. Plan to leave part of your garden a bit unkempt. This small area will make fairies feel welcome. It doesn't have to be a very large space, but having this one little space will give joy to your fairy friends-

~More fairy's favorite plants & flowers~

Fairy's Favorite Plants & Flowers-

ROSES-

Fairies love roses for their smell & beauty. If you would like to make fairies welcome - plant roses in your garden & burn rose oil around your patio.

BLUEBELLS- 

Bluebells are loved by the fairies as well. Fairies often use the flowers to adorn their horses. Don't pick the bluebells or step on them. A field of blue bells may have much faery enchantment.

WILLOWS-

The willow is a tree with a distinct personality . It can be heard weeping at night, but most commonly, it uproots and follow lone travelers at night. There are also fairy  spirits that live in these trees.

ELDERS-

The Elder trees is a sacred tree to the fairies, along with the Ash, Holly & the Oak. It is said that this tree is the protector  of water spirits.

The Oak tree - Look for Oak groves, as fairies tend to love the Oak Tree *the most*.  If you find a Oak Tree.   The old Oak forest- you just might find a portal hole in the base of one of these grand trees. And find yourself in another world.

ASH-

This is a lovely tree that the faeries often use for wands- It has healing qualities too.

FAERY RING MUSHROOM-

Fairies dance all night long & in the morning, rings of mushrooms maybe seen. They are the boundaries of the dancing circle. Be careful not to step inside the circle , as you might enter the fairy Realm and you'll be stuck there for ever. 

FAERY FOOD-

YOU SHOULD LEAVE FOOD OUT FOR THE FAIRIES AS  A OFFERING  & GIFTS. IN SOME COUNTRIES, THE LOCAL FAERIES,, WILL BECOME ANGRY IF FOOD IS NOT LEFT AND THEY WILL CURSE THE HOME. IF MILK IS SPILLED YOU SHOULD NOT WORRY ABOUT IT. JUST THINK  IT IS AN OFFERING FOR THE FAIRIES, - THEY DON'T WORRY ABOUT SUCH THINGS- AT LEAST HERE IN THE US. 

FAERIE KIN-

Faerie kin can be divided into numerous classes or races. Faerie is a term for many different beings usually possessing strong magical powers. Many fairies have a human form but some have a animal  form too. They use these forms even now.

THE REALM OF FAERIE-

Where is the faerie realm? It is position is elusive. It is sometimes just over the horizon and sometimes beneath our feet! Yet there have been periods when faerie were to be in a  actual geographical place, it a parallel world, although even this has tended to shift a times. For instance, the Welsh first though it was to the north of their mountains, that had a faerie. And then in the mysterious rocky and misty west peninsular of Pembrokeshire coast. Later it moved to an island lying in the Irish channel of the Pembrokeshire coast. It was seen sometimes by sailors, & even landed on but would then disconcertingly and disappear. never the less, its Fae inhabitants were said to be frequent visitors to the markets of Laugharne and Milford Haven Avalon is probably the most famous of Fae islands.

    ~The final step in attracting faeries to come to your garden is very simple. Ask them to come to your garden. If you give conscious energy to this event, it will happen. And most of all BELIEVE.

I hope these photos and helpful hints that I've used through the years of having a hummingbird garden and faeries come visit my garden will help all that love the faerie realm - And the little jewels of the sky -

The Hummingbirds
Wendy~
Note: At the bottom of the page is Rosy my 
wild hummingbird friend-