Thank you Sarah, I’m glad it had that effect. I’m trying to photograph the starflowers to show in number, but they are elusive, probably like the stars!
Beautiful … in a recent pet sit we had the privilege of watching a tiny family of barn swallows fledge .. then watch the parents start on a new nest for a potential second brood …
Thanks Gill. They do seem delicate but I suspect there is a strength in those slender stems. There are a lot of flowers / plants this year after the last wet summer, but many of the flowers seem smaller.
An enchanting read as always Michela. Your images are exquisite- such delicate, sweet little flowers. Yes thats a green-veined white! We have been watching exhausted blue tits too. Bedraggled feathers, one appears almost bald! The young have fledged and shout noisily in the trees. Birds in a bird bath are such a joy. Blackbirds do seem to enjoy it more than most. 😊
Thank you Linda. I was pleasantly surprised by that photo (thanks for confirming the species) — I had no expectations as they always fly off as you edge closer. Every time I see a bird drinking or bathing it makes me happy; puddles may be back now but it’s such a small thing to remember water (and a good use of old ceramic plant saucers, the pots have long ago succumbed to frost).
Utterly enchanting— thank you! This took me to many memories of the houses I didn’t move into — interestingly all places that had some singular feature I wanted more than the house.
And the starflowers, the parenting birds, the blackbird and that butterfly! Such riches shared with small strokes and beauty.
Thank you too Jan. I hope you’ve managed to incorporate some of those desired features into your environment. Yes, there are practicalities that we want a home to satisfy, but beyond that it can come down to things like peace, privacy, outdoor space to enjoy, walks close by—and yes, plums! I can now console myself with a damson tree that the previous owner planted, but it’s funny how that memory returned so vividly.
Ah, those arctic starflowers again - what a delight, thank you for sharing. "I feel like I have been party to something so ordinary that it is exquisite" - what a wonderful way of putting it. This is exactly how I feel when I've been out to feed our little robin and he sits there afterward, barely beyond arms reach, quietly preening himself, in apparent total acceptance of me being there during his daily routine. Sometimes when I've rescued wasps that have inadvertently come into the house and I carry them out on my hand, they often seem happy to stay put and have a 'wash' before heading off, seemingly indifferent to my presence. These little moments are golden.
Thanks Ralph. In the end I didn’t get back with the camera, just a short walk through. ‘Seemingly indifferent to my presence’ is I think a good ambition to have for our interactions with other creatures.
This is just lovely from beginning to end - the starflower photos and the observations of birds and moments. I feel like I'm with you, noticing.
Thank you Sarah, I’m glad it had that effect. I’m trying to photograph the starflowers to show in number, but they are elusive, probably like the stars!
'So ordinary that it is exquisite' oh yes! Just beautiful ❤️
Thanks Rebecca!
What I like the most about your photos is the state I know you must have been in to take them in such a gentle way. Greetings from the inside 🤗
Thank you Davor. Everything else does tend to disappear at that moment.
Mmmmm, what a joy!
Beautiful … in a recent pet sit we had the privilege of watching a tiny family of barn swallows fledge .. then watch the parents start on a new nest for a potential second brood …
Thanks Nigel. How special to see.
Thank you for your bluetit calculations, they have put my current situation into much needed perspective!
Oh dear, I hope you’re not too tired!
Lol, no, just giving alot of lifts to my twins over this GCSE period!
Beautiful moments and observations Michela and I love the starflowers, they are so delicate and enchanting.
Thanks Gill. They do seem delicate but I suspect there is a strength in those slender stems. There are a lot of flowers / plants this year after the last wet summer, but many of the flowers seem smaller.
An enchanting read as always Michela. Your images are exquisite- such delicate, sweet little flowers. Yes thats a green-veined white! We have been watching exhausted blue tits too. Bedraggled feathers, one appears almost bald! The young have fledged and shout noisily in the trees. Birds in a bird bath are such a joy. Blackbirds do seem to enjoy it more than most. 😊
Thank you Linda. I was pleasantly surprised by that photo (thanks for confirming the species) — I had no expectations as they always fly off as you edge closer. Every time I see a bird drinking or bathing it makes me happy; puddles may be back now but it’s such a small thing to remember water (and a good use of old ceramic plant saucers, the pots have long ago succumbed to frost).
Yes I use plant saucers! They are nice and shallow for hedgehogs to drink from too.
Lovely! I enjoyed reading about your "party" with the blackbird!
Thanks Susanne. It felt like quite a privilege!
This line, my eyes welled up with knowing. How precious words can be. “I feel like I have been party to something so ordinary that it is exquisite.”
Thank you Ilona. I hope that the line prompted good thoughts for you.
Lovely! I love your description of your moment with the Blackbird, sharing an ordinary moment with a bird is so special,
Thanks Juliet! I was so happy that I hadn’t frightened it away.
Utterly enchanting— thank you! This took me to many memories of the houses I didn’t move into — interestingly all places that had some singular feature I wanted more than the house.
And the starflowers, the parenting birds, the blackbird and that butterfly! Such riches shared with small strokes and beauty.
Thank you too Jan. I hope you’ve managed to incorporate some of those desired features into your environment. Yes, there are practicalities that we want a home to satisfy, but beyond that it can come down to things like peace, privacy, outdoor space to enjoy, walks close by—and yes, plums! I can now console myself with a damson tree that the previous owner planted, but it’s funny how that memory returned so vividly.
Those starflowers - so delicate and such beautiful images Michela. You've captured the true essence of May in word and image, thank you.
Thanks so much Lin. I really appreciate you saying that, as I was beginning to think that I had missed so much this year.
Ah, those arctic starflowers again - what a delight, thank you for sharing. "I feel like I have been party to something so ordinary that it is exquisite" - what a wonderful way of putting it. This is exactly how I feel when I've been out to feed our little robin and he sits there afterward, barely beyond arms reach, quietly preening himself, in apparent total acceptance of me being there during his daily routine. Sometimes when I've rescued wasps that have inadvertently come into the house and I carry them out on my hand, they often seem happy to stay put and have a 'wash' before heading off, seemingly indifferent to my presence. These little moments are golden.
Thanks Ralph. In the end I didn’t get back with the camera, just a short walk through. ‘Seemingly indifferent to my presence’ is I think a good ambition to have for our interactions with other creatures.
This is so beautiful Michela.
Thank you Sue. Sometimes the weeks where I think I have little to share turn out okay!
Beautiful photos!
Thank you Shital!