The sky is on fire in the west

Just now the October sky is on fire in the west. 

Where there's muck there's money

There's an Irish expression that where there's muck there's money.

The last week has seen the return of muck to these parts but we are still waiting to see the money. Crops have been harvested, grass growth is slowing, the clocks went back last night, rain is falling heavily and the local pot holes are filling up to the brim with water. But still, no money!!

These photos were taken at the very crack of dawn through a hazy light. The heat was rising off the cattle and the promise of a glowing October day lifted our spirits. There have been tougher times I know, but we are yearning for a bit of respite from doom and gloom, and we are all dreaming up schemes to help us keep the show on the road........

There's no shortage of muck, but how can we turn it to gold!!!

Ireland 2013

It's messy. Through a blurry haze, the camera is loving raindrops and turning them into bokeh. Very little input from the photographer on this walk except maybe clicking the shutter.

Questions are meandering in and out of the two boney hemispheres between my ears. Round and round. How many of us are craving healing? Feeling tired of responsibility? Battling the negativity of crashing economics tightening and tightening on us?

Clinging to the colours of goodness floating between strands of threaded webs. Half closed eyes squinting against the evening sun. Soft drops falling on the squished up leaves.

Just keeping going, never quite on top of things, but never completely giving up on ourselves either.

Does it make you wonder?

Does it feel darker inside when it's darker outside? Do you ever wonder why the earth turns away again from the sun, when that's what we crave? Or do you feel the sheer lack of control, of authority of consultation? It just does. No body asks us what we think. The seasons loop around us.

Still. Tonight I can see down to the coast from the top of the hill. It's too dark for photographing and yet I still can. In my pocket this machine for magic. For capturing light.

Tonight I offer up energy for peace. Hand in the quota of long evenings for magical autumn sunsets. Take the moment for whatever it is, dark or not.

Meanwhile back on planet earth

The backsides of two bullocks grab the warm morning light and become walking terracotta canvasses. They rustle the swan into alertness and she glances over her shoulder as they pass.

Not too many more trips around the sun before we will slow into winter, and this morning I am back on planet earth savouring the moment. There are so many people to thank and acknowledge, so many kind messages to respond to. What does it feel like to win Best Photography Blog? Unsettling has to be the word!!!

For now thanks to the Blog Awards organisers Lorna, Amanda and Beatrice for a fantastic event and to Damien O Cearbhuil Photography sponsor of the Best Photography Blog Category.

Congratulations to my friend Dee of Greenside Up who swept the boards and who kept me a seat at the "Outdoor" table of friendly wellie wearing types where I felt so at home!!

Later I will try to share more of the story with you all. To be honest it's all a bit overwhelming..........but that's me.........and it will take a few more long walks before I fully absorb it!

Meanwhile back on planet earth.......she seems to be saying to me, slowly, slowly..........take it all slowly........

Blackcurrants and Blackbirds

We had far too many and the plan was to make a liqueur. Blackcurrants make a wonderful boozy drink called Cassis, perfect for Christmas, when it should be ready for drinking.  KIR Royale, a mixture of Cassis and Champagne will never EVER be forgotten, once tasted. It's the perfect cocktail at a party for two............preferably in Paris!!

Anyway, the Blackbirds seemingly had a similar notion. As the damp evening drew in, Mr. Big put in an appearance amongst the blackcurrants and SMUG was written all over his face!

To see him drooling drunkenly in the bushes, almost unable to move with the feed of fruit inside him, made me reach for the camera and I even caught him with the evidence in his big orangey gob!

A fair swop I thought.

Watching and listening

She edges across the Irish sky from the south west. Traveling on the wind, changing moment to moment. From first thing in the morning we wonder about what we are in for, what mood will our weather bring today.

Forming a boundary in our relationships, when we go beyond weather talk we are real friends. When we go beyond the comfort zone. Writing is like that too. Going down through the layers to share. Going deep sometimes, or reaching out beyond the barriers.

And when we ask how are you today of each other? Can we stand a gloomy weather report on our moods?  Can we listen to sadness and overwhelm, dark and deep thoughts, fear and disappointment?

Just like the skies that roll in minute on minute, night and day, we move and turn. I listen to these transitions everyday, the struggles of change, and seem to hold hearts in my hand while the weather rolls over, patiently waiting until the light returns.

And it does return every morning.







It's Mental Health Week 2013

Rabbit, headlights.

It was so good of you all to put me into the final of the Blog Awards 2013  Thank you! What can I say?

For about 30 seconds after I heard the news I was delighted, but then performance anxiety set in and I wanted to go right back into the burrow and hide! Rabbit, headlights.

Immediate next thought? What kind of rabbit would have to be pulled from the hat for my next blogpost?  Nothing would be good enough.

It was all rabbits, burrows, hats and headlights. That's when this pheasant came striding out of the long grass. He puffed himself up, strutted up to my window and the cheeky divil even winked at me saying, look at me, just LOOK at ME!

I didn't wish he was less of what he is, or a bit more rabbity, or a bit less in my face. I lapped him up, his crimsons and golds, his feathery coat, his cock sure command of the world. We are what we are.

The rabbit in the headlights moment has mercifully passed, I have a subject for this week's blog and I didn't even have to lie out in a wet field to capture the photos.





More golden colour in the Autumn Gallery here