A rather nice light was coming through the kitchen window yesterday onto the orchids. I went and grabbed my colourful oil painting as a background for some orchid shadows.
(c) K Wicks
Orchid Shadows
Month: May 2021
Jumping Spiders
I have been trying to work out what all the little jumping spiders are. I knew there were lots of different ones, I just hadn’t realised how many I had seen. Once I started looking closely at my pictures, I started to notice quite big difference.
In Spain they were very friendly little spiders. In the UK, so not much and they are, well, jumpy. I figured the heat out there slows everything down, wildlife included. But I have still captured a number recently, they don’t stop for long if at all, so only a few UK ones included.
Some of the names may be off, but I think they’re mostly correct.
I just used to think there was one type of jumping spider, the little black and white one I called them as a kid. Now I know better!
(c) K Wicks
New Cover – Meeting in the Middle of Nowhere
Although the original cover was ok, it never really sat quite right with me. It was too colourful and didn’t quite seem fitting. An odd thing to say you might think for someone who adores colour, and constantly posts bright and colourful designs and photography. But for my book covers, I am drawn to black and white still. So, although so far this is my most popular book, I am hazarding a guess that it is because of the content, not the cover, and have decided to change it.
Also, while I was there, drafted in a professional eye as a direct response to one an online reviewers making the following comment –
“A good reprint following a proofread would go a long way”
And do I did, engaging the services of Julia Proofreader to go through the book and spot those issues I had missed (on a number of occasions it would seem!).
Hopefully you all like the cover too, but given I have had mixed feedback for them over the years, I don’t mind if it isn’t to everyone’s taste.
If you would like know to more about Hyperphantasia and Aphantasia, then check out Meeting in the Middle of Nowhere.
(c) K Wicks
Noble False Widow
For days now I have been trying to identify a spider hidden its its home in a hole in the garden wall. I scared it at first with the camera flash, but after a couple of weeks it seemed to be less afraid and stayed put as I tried to see in the hole enough.
I suspected it was a noble false widow but needed a better view (I had posted the above pic on Twitter asking @BritishSpiders for some help, and that was the suggestion with only a limited view, but the white stripe gave it away it seems). Today, I noticed it was a bit further forward, and while I was trying to get a shot some flies landed near and tempted it out.
It didn’t seem to mind me being there, but also didn’t seem that motivated for the food either.
It came out for long enough for me to get a good shot for identification though, so I was rather pleased. Patience paid off (and just happening to be there with my camera in hand, so timing helped).
(c) K Wicks
Dark April sunrise
Sunrise through the trees.
(c) K Wicks
A little patch of wild
This little patch seems to be quite happy this year. I’ve cleared some of the weeds which were looking to clog it up, but left everything else as it is. Its a small strip at the edge of the lawn, but happily houses the redcurrant bush, bluebells, a few other plants and a geranium which is slowly raging out of control at the other end. But, I did find an angle shade caterpillar under the geranium this morning, and bees were enjoying it as well, so it’s doing a good job for now.
(c) K Wicks
Dramatic clouds – 09.05.21
Just sitting and waiting for more birds to land on the fence, I casually glanced to my right. And I’m glad I did!
(c) K Wicks
Buds in the garden
Every day there seems to be more and more happening. Today was filled with finding buds, bugs and Bees 😁
These things are all a bit late on developing this year as the cold has slowed them down. But they’ll progress quickly now I think if we can have a few more days of sunshine and rain.
(c) K Wicks
And now it’s split… (poetry)
And now it’s split
They did the deed
To separate us
They planted the seed
Creating a lack
Of unity
Destroying friendships
And family
Turning people
Against their kind
By twisting facts
Within their mind
And now it’s fractured
It’s hard to see
Just what they expect
From society
They are just people
From up on high
Shouting loudly
You must comply
But when you’ve given
Lots of thought
To how things run
And what you’re taught
A different side
It does emerge
And all that learning
Does converge
~
To make your own informed decision
Rhyme and Reason
(c) K Wicks
Sunflower
Just for a bit of brightness.
(c) K Wicks
MKW Publishing 