If you don’t hear from me again, it might just be that I finally got lost in the woods for good… this is also my excuse for this blog being out of season; it took me that long to get home, ha ha!
After having a lovely time catching up with my honorary nieces over Easter, I decided to go back to the woods to soak up the beautiful hues and greenery again. The wood itself would have my full attention this time, rather than my much-loved girls and their parents, whom I hadn’t seen in about five years.
My initial goal was to get the photograph of the woodland flowers in close proximity to the fern as its croziers were unfurling – the inspiration for my logo! I told myself each photo was better than the last as I continued my search among the cow parsley, celandine, brambles, and other such British natives. Every now and again, I’d be joined by an excitable puppy or a friendly old-timer wanting a fuss. After exchanging pleasantries with their humans, I continued my walk.
At one point, as I was concentrating on my photography, I felt I was being watched. When I looked up, I saw a young black labrador sidling up to me with a 4 or 5 foot long by 3 inch branch in his jaws! He was looking incredibly pleased with himself, which made me laugh. His owner exclaimed that this was him showing off!
I also ended up peering into a pond for quite a while, eagerly awaiting the creatures causing disturbances on the surface to show themselves – they didn’t! I know there are newts and frogs in there, I just wasn’t lucky that day. I set off to find my way out; and that’s when I saw them!
Determined to get the jays on film – I was unsuccessful with a youngster a couple of years ago as my phone rang just as I was about to capture it – I started to quietly stalk my muses. I kept to the paths among the verdant wildflowers, as I didn’t want to damage any bluebells – or anything else for that matter. As it turns out, the paths were a maze! Unfortunately, I didn’t realise this until after I filmed the birds.
The videography was a little dodgy as I didn’t have my glasses on. I realised after reviewing the footage that instead of filming the jays, they were just out of shot and all I’d ended up filming was some leaves for the majority of the time! But that’s okay. I really enjoyed watching them and listening to them communicate with each other – it was about the journey, not the destination, as they say.
When I finally found my way out and treated myself to a hot chocolate, I reflected on the fact that my teenage honorary nieces, who I’ve known since they were babies, had grown up much more in five years than I ever had!
I’m old enough to know better, but still get myself into scrapes (mainly in the pursuit of enjoying/filming nature). If you do spot me ambling through various habitats looking lost, please send help! I really paid for it for the next few days because of my health issues…😅
