I was reminded by
today that it is the last week of January! Finally! I don’t usually have a problem with winter, but not being able to get out and do my usual activities, swimming in the sea, long walks, means winter is really getting to me this year. Which is why, I guess so much of my nature seeking has been searching for signs of spring. Unless it’s a blue sky frosty day, those I like!Thank you again, for reading, and especially to those that have subscribed, whether for free or paid. Please do share, and/or consider subscribing so I can continue to build this little corner of creativity and nature.
Noticing
Patterns on pebbles and shells on the beach, wrinkled leaves emerging from buds, glimpses of birds darting in the undergrowth, the differing shapes of ivy leaves, a bird checking out a birdbox on a neighbour’s house, winter meeting spring in the seedheads of Wild Clematis sheltering snowdrops below. And demanding a sentence all of its own, the amazing crinkly, feathery green world of lichen on an old tree - I think I need to spend more time investigating these.
I’ve had to work hard to notice this week. I had to switch from mindlessly walking (the dog) to actively looking. A bit like a noticing nature meditation walk. But I knew it would work, and looking back, there were more joyful moments than I thought.
So while walking in the clouds (aka fog) up on the downs, I forced myself away from focusing on pulling my scarf up against the biting air to take pleasure in the silhouettes of the seedheads against the grey muted sky. It felt like I was enveloped by the fog, only able to see a few metres ahead and all noise muffled. Then a flock of birds chattered overhead briefly alighting on the bare fields before disappearing just as quickly. It didn’t matter that I didn’t know what they were, their presence lifted my spirits. I then delighted in the crunching and cracking sound of standing on a frozen muddy puddle. Even adults should enjoy a puddle!
After a fairly fruitless search for signs of spring in the community orchard, I sat on a bench next to the bird feeders. Patience was needed to sit quietly until the birds found some bravery to return. First, came rustling in the undergrowth, then darting forays to the feeder furthest from me. Eventually, a Great Tit decided I was safe and made repeat trips to the feeder closest to me. Five minutes of calm and joy in the moment.
But also, an unexpected visitor, I heard it first, an unknown call which definitely wasn’t the tits and sparrow. Following a movement, I noticed a bird perching on the top of the tree and something about its shape stirred my bird identification brain. When it swapped trees I managed a very poor photo with the maximum zoom on my phone camera which confirmed my first thought, the flash of red on its bum being clear against the grey sky. It was a Great Spotted Woodpecker!
And yesterday, the simple joy of a confident robin, perched on a branch, checking me out while I chatted to it, graciously allowing me a photo before darting off to find its next meal. You can see why the robin is so often deemed our favourite bird in the UK, it is the one that has learned that being alongside us is mostly a good thing in terms of finding food. They are also one of the easiest to recognise with their reddy orange breast.
Creating
There hasn’t been much creating happening this week as I’ve been trying to rest to get over my current flare-up. I’ve played with watercolour a bit and spent time getting inspiration on Pinterest and Instagram (yes this is okay and yes artists do it, I don’t then copy, it just gives my own creativity a nudge of things to try).
I’m considering whether to continue with the winter trees series. I now have some ideas I want to try out, to take in a more abstract direction so I need to have a play. I think painting with greys and dark blues, while it captures the faded, stark feeling I initially had in my head, it’s not doing my wellbeing much good! I need to get out the bright blues and yellows and add some golds and bronzes in. Fingers crossed I’ll have more to tell you about next week.
I have also started an indoor green sketching sketchbook. I keep forgetting to take my sketchbook out with me and with the weather as it has been, even a quick 2min sketch isn’t a pleasant experience. But I do take lots of photos, so I thought I could nudge myself into a regular drawing practice by doodling while tucked up on the sofa. I’m still sticking to the principles of green sketching - not worrying about perfection or spending hours on the details, just 5min sketches to capture the moment. Maybe that’s something you could try this week? A doodle on the back of an envelope will even do.
Reading
I’m reading Simon Barnes’ ‘Birdwatching with your eyes closed’ (aka listening to birdsong). Simon has written a few books encouraging people to enjoy birds, to be a ‘bad’ birdwatcher as he calls it (and himself). He wants people to notice birds, to find joy in them even if they don’t know what they are. It’s the same principle I have, to develop nature connection in our daily lives. This weekend you could take part in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch, using their resources to help you identify them. Click here to find out more - Big Garden Birdwatch You don’t need a garden, you can take part in a park, or out of your window. When my parents moved to the country last year, doing this helped them learn what they had in their garden.
I love his books because they are down to earth, relatable and accessible. He talks about common everyday birds, in everyday locations rather than using scientific names for rare birds only seen on a nature reserve on an island in the north sea. You can buy the book here Birdwatching with your Eyes closed
So, that’s it for January, at least in newsletter terms. What have you noticed this week? Do leave a comment below with any moments of joy.