Sitting on a snowy branch, Waiting for the spring, Dreaming of the bright flowers, And the happiness they bring.
While I was out taking these snowy shots a man approached me to inquire about what I was taking pictures of. I responded that I was shooting a hummingbird and he looked at me like I was insane and informed me that hummingbirds do not arrive until the spring. He was not right and he was not wrong, the Rufus hummingbirds arrive in the spring, however the lovely Anna’s live here year round. They are very tiny, and people don’t expect to see them in the snow but they are incredibly tough little birds, and I am very fond of them.
Roger Tory Peterson“
We don’t have to go to wild places to find wildlife. A surprisingly wide range of species can be found in ourcities and towns, from familiar animals like the raccoon to more exotic ones like the mountain lion.“
It was the crows that drew my attention to a little Raccoon in a tree that sits between a drug store and a parking lot. The crows were squawking loudly so it couldn’t get to sleep and I stood beneath the tree and just as rudely started taking pictures. I had only taken a couple shots when another Raccoon unexpectedly arrived upon the scene. This intrusion was too much for the now cranky original Raccoon to tolerate and the fur began to fly. Unfortunately I was not present at the end of this event as they ran off in a flash with the violated in pursuit of the offender. Friends of mine witnessed the pair on the next block running fast but they also are not aware of the conclusion. Who knows perhaps they are running still but it I do know it is highly unlikely that I will stumble across a raccoon fight again especially with my camera ready to shoot.
Down by the bay, the Seagull's play, dressed in their fine feathers, of black, white and grey.
Seagulls are not always the most admired birds at the beach, one tends to overlook them for Eagles or Heron. The reason for this is unlike the others they are far more numerous and so common that they fail to turn many heads.
Nikos Kazantzakis“As I watched the seagulls, I thought, that’s the road to take; find the absolute rhythm and follow it with absolute trust.”
The Seagull is not only considered common by some it is also often scorned by others but that is only because they tend to let loose unpleasant showers of their faeces that no one wants to wear. The trouble with being disgruntled with this is that it is usually human beings that instigate this behaviour in the first place by feeding them.
“Do you remember you shot a seagull? A man came by chance, saw it and destroyed it, just to pass the time.”
Anton Chekhov
Seagulls can also be delightful, clever and amusing and bring many people comfort and joy. Their voices wake us every morning, they clean up our beaches and are our faithful companions on and off of the sea. They are familiar, comforting and have served as the muse and inspiration for artists and poets throughout history and with the many cultures that co-exist with the incredible seagulls.
“You do not ask a tame seagull why it needs to disappear from time to time toward the open sea. It goes, that’s all.”
Bernard Moitessier
On this episode of the Jawshop Adventure recordings Paul sticks a little closer to home as he records the sound of rain on the roof of his custom airstream, mobile, audio recording studio.
The Jawshop Studios are unique combination of in-house and mobile recording studios operated by artist/musician Paul Clifford who also hosts a podcast and adventure recording channel.
We proudly present The Cliffs and Bones Project, the self titled EP musical collaboration between University of East Hastings Alumni Bob Hamm and Paul Clifford. The accompanying video contains the full audio with lyrics.
Track Listing: 1. Dan's Passing 2. If I had a Guitar 3. Travelin' On 4. Working Man
All songs written by Bob Hamm Produced by Paul Clifford of The Jawshop Adventure Recording (Dan’s Passing produced with Bob Hamm) Performers: Bob Hamm – Vocals, guitars, keyboards and more Paul Clifford – drums, keyboards, sound effects and more.
Bob Hamm's Facebook Page Bob Hamm's Youtube Channel Paul Clifford's The Jawshop
Little frog, little frog, snugly sleeping in the bog. So petite, with flippered feet, catching tasty bugs to eat.
Charles J. Craigan’s Water Spirit design is a celebration of the spiritual and physical relationship between the frog and fresh waterways. The Frog is symbolic as spiritual keepers of fresh water and waterways and it is a reminder of that we must show appreciation for these brilliant creatures and the water’s they protect.
We think too small, like the frog at the bottom of the well. He thinks the sky is only as big as the top of the well. If he surfaced, he would have an entirely different view.
Mao Zedong
Frogs are important creatures, they are culturally significant and powerful to some, whereas others have far less respect for them. Some associate frogs with being unattractive or stupid but I have always found those comparisons unfounded. Frogs have proven themselves to be clever, resourceful and capable of survival when may of us would be challenged to do likewise. They are also a tasty treat for some although not to my personal taste, the heron however is far more fond of them than I. It won’t be long now until their beautiful voices rise in unison again announcing spring’s arrival once again, and spring without them would be unthinkably sad and lonely.
That is the way it is done, the way it has always been done. Frogs have every right to expect it will always be done that way.
John Steinbeck
