Monthly Archives: July 2023

The Value of Eating a Little Crow Now and Again

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     "If you have to eat crow, eat it while it's young and tender."
    
Thomas Jefferson

The Crows had been harassing the Ravens early in the morning when this Eagle struck. I did not witness it; I heard it and went to investigate. The Crows were especially irate, whereas they had been quiet earlier as they hid from the Ravens who were soaring overhead, warning them to back off. It was likely when they were distracted by the Ravens that the Eagle struck. I peered towards the commotion and saw the Eagle on a branch, tucking into its feast on a tree in a backyard up the way. Unwilling to trespass on the sleeping dweller’s property, I made my way up to the street that ran past the property to capture these few images. There was great tearing of flesh, breaking of bones, and plucking of feathers while the crows looked on helplessly as their loved one was consumed for breakfast. The Eagle heard and saw me but, after checking me out, decided that I was nothing to be concerned about and tucked back into its rather unappealing meal.

Eating Crow for breakfast does not sound very enticing, and it is not a common dish for humans. Despite this, I have eaten a lot of crow (not an actual corvid, that would be disgusting). The crow I am referring to is the one we must eat after being found out to be a complete ass. Despite how utterly vile it is to have to eat crow, to choke back our humiliation and shame, it should not be avoided. You will only feel better once you have done so. It is best done while the crow is fresh. Trying to avoid it or skip it is impossible as the crow waits and rots, becoming less and less appealing. If you hold your nose and do it, you will find that eating crow is actually fortifying, edifying, and will help you grow and expand. It builds character and helps you on your journey to fulfilling your full potential and become as magnificent and powerful as the Eagle.

© TS Ni hUiginn

Ancient Ones

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We are very pleased to present Traditional Coastal Salish Artist Charlie Craigan’s new design titled Ancient ones. The figure in the centre is the wild woman she is encircled by ch’inkw’u, both have been spiritual protectors of the shíshálh lands, waters, and people since time immemorial.

Charles’ ch’inkw’u, a double-headed sea serpent, represents a unique and fascinating symbol in Coastal Salish culture. ch’inkw’u’s two heads symbolise the male and female, or our mothers and fathers who are our first protectors. ch’inkw’u is also a protector of the people and creatures who live on the lands and waters of the Sechelt people. The ch’inkw’u embodies the essence of duality and balance, signifying the harmony needed to maintain order in the natural world. It serves as a reminder of the perpetual dance between good and evil, light and dark.

The wild woman of the forest, depicted in this artwork, is a captivating and enigmatic figure. Cloaking her eyes behind her long hair, she exudes an aura of mystery, magnificence, and power. She is a revered ancient protector of the waters, lands, and the myriad of creatures that inhabit her territories. Few are fortunate enough to witness her true form, but those who do are deeply humbled by her majestic presence. She epitomizes fierceness and strength, standing as an embodiment of the profound connection between humanity and the natural world.

In Ancient ones, Charlie Craigan skillfully combines intricate details and symbols that reflect the rich cultural heritage of the Coastal Salish people. His artwork not only celebrates the artistic traditions of the past but also serves as a potent reminder of the importance of preserving and respecting the ancestral lands and waters that sustain us all.

If you are searching for a piece that encapsulates the profound spirituality and beauty of Coastal Salish culture, look no further than Ancient ones. It is a poignant testament to the enduring legacy and wisdom of the indigenous peoples who have called the shíshálh lands their home for countless generations.

You can support Charles’s creative work by purchasing his designs at his T-spring shop. This not only helps Charles continue his work but also contributes to the global economy through the providing work for printers, suppliers, and which benefits all of our communities. Get your favourite designs today and make a positive impact!

© Charles J. Craigan

Snipe Hunting

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'Remember, the snipe call is this: "Woo loo loo, woo loo loo." '

Hank Hill (Cheryl Holliday - King of the Hill)

I am not sure when, or why Snipes became lumped in with Snarks and Questing Beasts of Old. However the truth is, mirth aside, I have been known to enjoy a good Snipe Hunt on occasions, albeit rather rare ones. Rare, not due to their being too few snipes but because they are not known to tolerate humans. The truth is that going on a Snipe Hunt is very often a fools errand particularly if you try to call them, they are very elusive birds. On this particular occasion, he was not aware of my presence when he arrived to feed near where I was waiting with my gear and I took care not to alert him to my presence. Their beautiful song is common and I have heard them often however this is one of the few times I have seen one and I feel very blessed to have been able to take these few photos. If you are yourself interested in hunting Snipe they tend to stick to marshes and bogs where they feed, but move gently and respectfully less they take offence to your presence and make haste to safer grounds.

© TS Ni hUiginn

Recording a Cell Tower

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Ride along with Paul Clifford’s Jawshop Adventure Recordings. In this episode he revisits his local cell tower and implements his magic to extract his unique and amazing audio recordings.

If you are curious about what a bow pulled across a spring attached to a cell tower sounds like or are just interested in how the art of field recording and how sounds are captured then we invite you to visit the Jawshop and check out the audio treats.

Click on the Logo to Visit The Jawhop Adventure Recording Site

Dreadful Yet So Lovely Found upon a Leaf

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"Everything is determined, the beginning as well as the end, by forces over which we have no control. It is determined for the insect, as well as for the star. Human beings, vegetables, or cosmic dust, we all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible piper." 

- Albert Einstein

Recently I spied this dreadful yet so lovely little creature posing perfectly on a leaf in a urban garden waiting to be discovered. What can one say about those huge dreamy eyes, those delicate wings and spiked long deadly legs that could do them justice?

Actually this Robber Fly was not waiting to be discovered in order to become a social media sensation, he is actually waiting for something to fly by to mug, thus the name Robber Fly. And they do not steal pollen or nectar off the passing bug and send them on their way bruised and disgruntled. They steal lives and their prey includes Bees, Flies, Dragon Flies and even another Robber Flies, they aren’t picky eaters. You may now be thinking right now if I know this then why did I not swat it instead of admiring and photographing it? Those would be very reasonable questions or responses to coming across something that is lying in wait for an innocent victim that is is going to consume alive. However it is not my place to do so, nature is far wiser and quite qualified to manage herself, far better I, a mere human is, in fact.

Nature is a gift, something to respect and appreciate, it is something we are a part of and not a simple possession we have total dominion over. The Robber Fly is a necessary predator, they do their part to keep insect populations under control, even their own. This helps balance matters meaning that the grasshoppers do not over populate and wipe out crops leaving famine for the rest of us. We are very fortunate that Robber Flies exist and they are such an important and necessary part of nature that they exist on every corner on this planet. We need to respect them because they help us in their own ghoulish way as well as the fact that I for one do not want to have to eat grasshoppers, humans are not meant to do the jobs of Robber Flies.

Gone Picking

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"If you would know the flavor of huckleberries, ask the cowboy or the partridge. It is a vulgar error to suppose that you have tasted huckleberries who never plucked them. A huckleberry never reaches Boston; they have not been known there since they grew on her three hills. The ambrosial and essential part of the fruit is lost with the bloom which is rubbed off in the market cart, and they become mere provender. As long as Eternal Justice reigns, not one innocent huckleberry can be transported thither from the country's hills."

- Henry David Thoreau

Tangy and sweet, hanging in thick clusters, the mere sight of plump red berries bursting on the branches is enough to get any hunter gatherer’s heart thumping and blood pumping. This doesn’t only apply to humans, the bears and birds are also pretty keen to get to the berries before they are gone so the competition is pretty fierce. Just as it was in Thoreau’s time it takes some effort to get to the berry patches, or even find them for that matter. Success is also contingent on the weather and their receiving the proper amount sun and rain and if these conditions are not met the season is spoiled. That is not the case this year so I am particularly thrilled. That is because I find berry picking to be one of the most pleasant and practical ways to spend time, the whole experience is medicine. The berries are by far more delicious than anything you could purchase in a store plus you get the bonus of fresh air and exercise. It is far better and more practical than a combined trip to the doctor, gym and grocer’s, plus money is not part of the equation, it is the ultimate all natural experience.

© TS Ni hUiginn