They went hiking in those woods too, in the summer (which he never did as a kid), looking for wildlife to photograph, hoping to capture that fleeting moment when they bother to return your gaze before dismissing you as unworthy of their consideration, and refocusing their attention on the things that really matter: moss growing on a stone, holes in the ground, fallen leaves. - The Hummingbird by Sandro Veronesi, translated by Elena Pala
I saw this tree when drinking my coffee after a walk with the Badger trust people and from where I sat, the part at the bottom right looked like a creature. An owl, I thought, perhaps because this image of wisdom was in my mind....
And, as you know, I have been thinking about wisdom. Anyway, then I thought about my Love, Curiosity and Wisdom thing. I'd painted, very badly, Curiosity as an octopus and the tentacular ivy fitted the bill, with the trunk as, of course, Love.
So, this photograph was capturing something iconic for me.
I also found this...
Two people in flagrante delicto while climbing??
The badger walk took us to three setts and Peter, the county recorder, and Sally, who does everything else, explained what to look for and photograph. I had already been on one of these walks, with Sally, so I knew. But I went for four reasons: as a reminder; because someone had said there were nice trees around here; because it was a good long walk in pleasant weather and lovely countryside and because I wanted to meet Peter.
I had been emailing him with sett information and photos for years. He's retired, maybe in his early seventies, but fit as a fiddle. Cycles 25 miles regularly and was a more energetic walker than all the rest of us. But what was great was his passion not just for badgers but for wildlife. His knowledge. His feel for the environment. I found a kindred spirit.
Back to that picture... and the quote: what really matters, "moss growing on a stone, holes in the ground, fallen leaves". And I recommend the novel. It's great.
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