Thursday 23 March 2023

Marching On

It's March - and time is marching on. I've got out from time to time to go for a march too, though my style of locomotion these days is far from military, more of a dawdle. So apologies for the lack of posts this month, particularly if you've been worried about my absence.


Our local Little Egret has been wading around in the little chalk stream and was so intent on its next meal that it took no notice of me. 



But mostly I was concentrating on close-ups (and very close-ups) of what was down at my feet. Celandines began flowering a while ago.



But a lot of what I found down on the woodland floor still looks decidedly autumnal, like this pine-cone. Would you like a closer look?



I love the patterns that are revealed on close inspection.



Lichens look like tiny flower gardens when you get down on your hands and knees to examine a piece of fallen tree bark.



And here's a tiny sprig of moss pushing up between last year's leaves.



This little oak leaf has been hoisted aloft by the new growth coming up from below - mostly cow parsley, I think. But the weather hasn't always been as optimistic as the foregoing shots suggest.



The wrong sort of snow - for me at least. Although parts of the country had a picturesque covering of the white stuff, here it was wet sleety snow propelled on fierce north-easterly winds.



But the early blossoms seem to come whatever the weather.



I've often lamented the lack of quality and quantity of the street art around here. Then I saw this skillful portrait on an obscure wall of a local sports pavilion. For those of you who, like me, had no idea who this was, I can tell you that David Jolicoeur, aka "Trugoy the Dove", was a rapper who was one third of the hip-hop group De La Soul (I've heard of them). He passed away on February 12th of this year. I'm sure this must just be a personal tribute from a fan who lives locally.



I went back to the copious blossoms. But what would it look like if I photographed Trugoy through the out-of-focus branches.....



I desaturated the colours and cooled the image down a bit. I hope that works. I'd better find a cheery photo to end this brief post....




*******

Now, some time ago I introduced you to the amazing pianist, Derek Paravicini, who, as well as being a first rate musician, also happens to be blind and autistic (or neurodivergent, as we should now say). What I didn't tell you was that Derek is also a patron of the Amber Trust, a charity which exists to provide music lessons for young people with similar needs. One of their star pupils (though they're all stars to me) did rather well on national TV recently:


Well done, Lucy. In case you are wondering, the two men featured in the audience are the singer-songwriter Mika and the classical pianist Lang Lang. If you want to see more videos about the work of the Amber Trust they have their own YouTube channel. (Click on where it says "popular" to find the stories of some of the children who have been helped to fulfil their potential by the charity).


Take care.


24 comments:

  1. Thanks for sunny music, and beautiful close ups. That snow/sleet was well captured, but I do hope you were sheltered from being out in it! Yes, steps may be more studied rather than paced like a race, but we keep on keeping on, which is the bright value. As Ram Dass said (and quoted today on my blog of being sick) "We're all just walking each other home." And I'd add, until then let's keep taking photos to share!

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  2. I was starting to wonder at your absence, so it's reassuring to see you back again, John. That kind of horizontal wet snow is the worst kind, not pleasant at all. I am always entranced by lichens. They are amazingly diverse and colourful and useful in so many ways.

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  3. Has tardado en publicar, pero no te has dejado nada atrás, desde esa bella ave de la fotografía número 1, hasta las especies vegetales y flores primaverales, que han salido a tu paso. Yo también me he quejado más de una vez, del mal gusto de algunos murales, pero este de tu reportaje, son de los que merecen la pena fotografiar.

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  4. Your photos are works of art, John. And that video of Lucy brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for bringing this beauty into my life!

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  5. I love examples of those who succeed using that success to reach a hand back for the people who haven't quite managed to get to where they can be. The world would be a far better place if more people followed Derek's lead.

    Your picture of the young rapper looks as if it is looking through a veil of clouds. We see through the glass dimly, don't we?

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  6. Great closeups, John. Spring has been hesitant here too, blowing hot and cold literally.

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  7. Thanks, John, for reassuring us that all is well with you, as you know when regular bloggers are away for awhile, fellow bloggers become concerned. I enjoyed the close up macro images in this post as its often the most overlooked things that prove most interesting. There are numerous street art murals around Nashua, NH, and one day I will do a post or two on some. Thanks for sharing the one in your area. I will check out the YouTube channel for the Amber Trust.

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  8. Such beautiful photos, John. I love the close ups of the pine cone and the lichen. What an interesting perspective. Glad all is well there and you're getting out taking all these lovely photos.

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  9. Forgot to add, that young Lucy was amazing and so talented despite her physical handicaps.

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  10. I love those close ups and especially the lichen garden. Glad to see you posting again and hope your slow down in locomotion is only temporary.

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  11. I love your close-up captures, especially the tree blooms!

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  12. Good to see your beautiful photos today. My locomotion is not that great at this point also so I can sympathize. Particularly enjoy the little egret. Take care - from the base of the mini-mountain in Maine.

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  13. Thank you so much for this splash of beauty. I agree with you about the lichen gardens and love all of your close ups. So much.

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  14. I love your closeups and they are a reminder to look at things no matter what the size.

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  15. Love the variety, the close-ups, the music. Beautiful!

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  16. Well, it is good that you are still around John.😀

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  17. As usual first class stuff John. Just to let you know I am back in the land of the living again

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  18. Well your photos are as excellent as ever. One question went through my head, why do we hold up a buttercup to the chin to see if we like butter, when celandine's petals are so shiny?

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  19. I prefer a dawdle to a route march..then you see so much more!
    Nice photos...not sure if Nice is the right word...but they are so!

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  20. Great photos as always, John. Love the close-up shots of the pinecones.

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  21. Hi John – so good to see you … I hope all well – and you were just feeling like I've been 'off'?! Better now – but I'll be happier when this weather becomes slightly softer – though as you mention nature keeps burgeoning on …

    Beautiful photos – love them all … Brilliant street art of 'Trugoy the Dove' – someone I hadn't heard of, nor his musical colleagues. Your image of him through the branches is fun to see …

    Fascinating to see more about the Amber Trust – thank you for that … and to hear Lucy … she's so humble walking across the stage – then her music lifts her up ...incredible to see and hear.

    Thanks for letting us see all these things – cheers Hilary

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  22. A delightful collection of images, John. Your 'dawdling' pace has been well rewarded by the simplicity of nature.
    A very big thank you for introducing me to the amazing talents of Derek and Lucy.

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