Author: MKW Publishing

Ruby-Tailed Wasp

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Since getting into photography, insects have become far more interesting than they used to be. I had never heard of Ruby-Tailed wasps and first saw one when I was living in Spain, but it turns out we have them here in the UK too. So I was proper excited to find one in the garden here this past summer, in fact not even find, he was at head height on the wall as I stood by the back door! By the time I reached for my camera he was moving all over the wall, with only seconds for a few shots, he was gone. They don’t hang around! I managed to get marginally better shots in Spain, but only because this one was saved from the pool and I had a couple of minutes to try and work around him drying off and being off on his travels again.

Ruby-Tailed Wasp – Spain
Ruby-Tailed Wasp – Spain

Other than these two, I can’t think I have seen any more but given how small the UK one was, I probably have but just didn’t have time to see the flash of colour to identify it.

Ruby-Tailed Wasp – UK

(c) K Wicks

Spectacle of Light (event)

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A couple of years ago we attended the Spectacle of Light event held at Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire. It usually happens end of November and runs for a month or so I think. But the castle and grounds are quite something just in daylight, so to see the whole place lit up and decorated was awesome. I believe they have a different theme every year, ours was Alice in Wonderland. Not bad, one of my all time favourite films as a child.

Walking around the ground was great, I love colourful things and lights, so was in my element. It was bitterly cold but soon your hands numbed enough that you couldn’t feel them properly so it was ok. I didn’t take as many photos as I would have liked because the gloves stayed on mostly and I couldn’t keep my hands still long enough without them!

The trees were creating a semi spooky wonderland, nicely reminiscent of Alice. The strangest part of it was the people. Actors hired to play odd characters from the story standing around in the freezing cold (so fair play to them), but it was odd as they lunged forward to deliver their line. Weirdly, it didn’t fit for me.

The rest of it did fit though, bits and pieces here and there which all in all was a feast for the eyes.

It was a nice evening out and apparently it is running again this year, so I may get to see another one.

(c) K Wicks

Casual Puppy

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Last summer when Maya was small and finding her feet with it all, her favourite (and probably many dogs), was to be out in the sun. She no longer poses like this outside as gets far too excited or just wants to lick the camera. For that reason, this photo will remain one of my favourites.

Although, she has developed a more casual approach in the house now she is older which I am able to photograph. Still just as adorable.

(c) K Wicks

Strike of Luck — Fictionspawn

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By the bank Palit got his flute out. He blew a long, monotone sound. Then they waited. Nothing happened. -Maybe we’re in the wrong place? Nista glanced over at Palit staring out on the lake. -Look! The water moved. Something came up, emerged through the surface. A hippo creature, big as a whale. It moved in to the shore and waited. Palit leaped out on the big beast’s back. -Come on, jump! Nista hesitated. It didn’t look safe. The animal sunk down, moved away from the shore. -Jump! She jumped, landed on its back. Slipped, fell into the water. Palit pulled her up. The journey was long. The creature walked on the bottom where it could, swam where it had to. The water got deeper, the rocks on the sides taller. -Where are we going? Nista said. -I have no idea. The old man only told me I had to blow the flute. The rest would be up to fate. They moved out into open water…. (more)

Strike of Luck — Fictionspawn

I wonder where… (poetry)

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I wonder where

We go from here

The narrative set

Is a landscape of fear

Turned they have

The normal brain

To be taboo

To feel insane

For questioning

What should be fine

But instead

We walk the line

Of knowing not

Where this will go

Beholden to

The strangest show

Yet on we go

Because we must

No longer sure

If we can trust

Ourselves

Rhyme and Reason

(c) K Wicks

Kats Cards

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I used to make cards for friends and family for Christmas and birthdays and everyone always seemed to love them.

So after a few years of no longer having anyone to make cards for I decided to see if anyone out there might like them 😁

I brought some new coloured card having previously only used red, blue, green and pale lilac. I use my hand drawn art to print on the card, then I add the extra touches by hand. Once I have a set completed, then I will post the finished product. Getting the reflective silver and gold to shimmer in the photographs isn’t working out so well yet.

(c) K Wicks

Infinity – Book Review

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Having only recently got back into reading short stories I was very happy with this choice.

This story is a bit longer than a short, and a bit shorter than a novella, but it wasn’t noticed once I started reading.

Infinity by Marc W Shako.

Quite an unusual storyline, reminiscent of Logans Run for me, but slightly more gritty and quite fast paced. Each chapter led on well to the next and although the immediate story going on was wrapped up, there was the implication of much more. It would be nice to see the story developed into a full novel. But definite thumbs up from me.

Today’s sunrise (16.11.20)

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I love sunrise and today I was up at the right time to catch it. Not one to usually want to remember anniversaries of things, but today marks 17 years since my mother passed away. She loved pink, so maybe this one was for her 🙂

These changed within about 5-10 minutes from pink to purple to looking like the sky has become a volcano. A nice way to start the say.

(c) K Wicks