Today’s sunrise was a proper treat. I took up painting this weekend and maybe this was natures way of giving me a little inspiration and encouragement. I’ve been doing blending with acrylics and realise nature is far more creative than I will ever be. I shall share some of my painting attempts with you later in the week.
These all happened within the space of 15 minutes.
Definitely a lovely way to start the day.
It just got better and better.
(c) K Wicks
Puppy Maya sitting in the sun.
(c) K Wicks
A very pretty flowering tree that was once in my garden. Apparently another common name for this plant is nettlespurge.
(c) K Wicks
I got to see some magnificent sunrises in Spain and this is one of them. Unfiltered and as it was from the impressive beginning to the wonderful end captured by my Nikon. I was transfixed.
(c) K Wicks
I used to collect dead things. I had a small clear cassette box and kept things in there. Its not as bad as it sounds, there was a butterfly that had unfortunately not made it out of the house. Part of a snake skin, a dead bug, and strangely a piece a broken glass – but only because it was quite artistic I remember. That collection has now long since gone, but if I pass something these days, I stop for a moment. To look and think.
This picture was taken in Spain, while out on a walk. This was in a wall, in a gap in the bricks. Of course I had to take it out and photograph it, I have never seen a rat skeleton before and found it fascinating. I left it in a small grassy area with some flowers hiding it, having only taken a few photos.
I could see my husband wasn’t entirely comfortable with me doing this type of photo shoot with holiday makers walking around. But it always feels a bit special to be able to see what has once been, but in the next stage. I guess this is why I like archaeology so much, especially when they find graves. Because without adding any fantasy or make believe to who, how or why – you are looking at someone who once lived. That bit of evidence is undeniable.
(c) K Wicks photographer
A flower I adore, detailed, elegant and loads of different varieties. It’s no surprise to me, my Grandmother had them around her house, but it wasn’t until I took up photography that they became a firm favourite. Turns out though, I am the kiss of death for them when trying to care for them. I am not a natural gardener but enjoy it thoroughly, house plants have a slim chance of overall survival. So I now have a spider plant and one small ficus tree. I remember we had them in my house growing up and they seemed to do well. We had a yukka too, couldn’t get one of those though as my dog has a knack for digging up plants when I am not looking!
But as well as having orchids here and there I also got to see lots in an Orchid house in Florida years ago (the first two pics).
Since the garden centers closed and lockdown made everything weird, I don’t purchase things like this anymore as I like to see and make a choice on the spot. So will just enjoy previous pictures I have of them for now.
They are such wonderfully structures plants, I can’t help but be in awe of nature when I look at them.
I also found some wild orchids out walking in Spain which I will do a separate post for as they are quite different to the ornamental ones. I have seen wild orchids in the UK as well but don’t think I have any photos of them.
(c) K Wicks
This rather strange tree is called a Banyan. A type of fig tree, the seeds invade an established tree and take over the host leading to its demise. Also giving it its other name of the strangler fig. A tree for a horror story if ever there was one! Originally found in the Indian Subcontinent, this one (planted in 1920’s) is at Edison Park, Fort Myers, Florida.
I was there with my grandparents back in 2006 who had taken to spending six months of the year there when the winter weather moved in here. And this one was of the excursions they had planned. The botanical gardens were great, and I think we went into the winter lab but to be honest, the tree was the most impressive part.
It’s all one tree, that just keeps dropping more roots and creating more seeds to spread elsewhere if it can. Seems very parasitic for a tree. But then that’s nature for you.
It definitely goes down as one of the impressive bits of nature I have seen. Not the best – that still stands with the giant redwoods in Yosemite Park, California that I saw back in 1991. That really was something special.
(c) K Wicks
This is something
I cannot stress
Enough to you
And must impress
The seriousness
Of where we are
It’s happening
Gone way too far
But now it’s in motion
The wheels are set
What they want
Is a growing threat
In people’s minds
And what they say
Fear and compliance
It seems their way
Which brings a sadness
And is such a shame
But you must understand
This isn’t a game
This is your life
Rhyme and Reason
(c) K Wicks
There is something about the architecture of cathedrals and churches that I love. And even though they can look incredibly gothic as they are, when I take photos of them, sometimes it just isn’t gothic enough. So I tinker with it…
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One of the most colourful birds I have seen in the wild is this one, the Spanish bee-eater. Only managed to get a few shots and didn’t want to try and get too much closer in case I scared him away before I got any. I have a knack of disturbing the wildlife I am trying to capture!
He only hung around for a few minutes then was off on his travels again but a real treat to have drop into the garden!
(c) K Wicks
MKW Publishing 