Author Archives: talbothiggins

Scorpio Zodiac Design

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An illustration of the constellation Scorpios by TS Ni hUiginn

Thousands of years ago ancient people’s looked up to the stars and created some fairly interesting myths and stories to accompany the celestial sight. Overtime individuals known as astrologers mapped the heavens about and divided them into twelve equal sections. Further they insisted that the position of the stars when a person was born would determine the personality of that individual and this idea caught in a big way and started trending, and despite its lack of scientific basis, most modern people around these parts, believers or not do know what their astrological sign is.

Salish Scorpio Astrological Design by Sechelt Artist Charles J. Craigan
Scorpio Zodiac Design by Charles J. Craigan

Sechelt Artist Charlie Craigan is creating the zodiac in his traditional pacific west coast native style. He has chosen to start the introduction of this series with the tenth and his own star sign, Scorpio. The only requirement for being a Scorpio is being born between October 23 and November 21. And if you were blessed with this star sign you allegedly have a forceful personality with a bit of a stinger, but are also brave, loyal and honest.

Pacific West Coast Native Scorpio Zodiac Pillow Designed by Salish Artist Charlie Craigan
Coastal Salish Scorpio Zodiac Hoodie Designed by Salish Artist Charlie Craigan
Pacific Northwest Coast Native Scorpio Shower Curtain Designed by Salish Artist Charlie Craigan
Pacific West Coast Native Scorpio Zodiac Tshirt Designed by Salish Artist Charlie Craigan
Pacific West Coast Native Scorpio Zodiac Apron Designed by Salish Artist Charlie Craigan
Pacific West Coast Native Scorpio Zodiac Hoodie Designed by Salish Artist Charlie Craigan
Pacific West Coast Native Scorpio Zodiac Blanket Designed by Salish Artist Charlie Craigan

Whether you are a believer or just like the zodiac for fun Charlie Craigan’s Scorpio Design is available for purchase at his T-spring Store.

Wandering on a Snowy Day

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'Wandering on a snowy day,
Wondering which way,
To go and play!'
  • Snowy Path by the Sea Shore taken by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Snowy Path by the Sea Shore taken by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Snowy Trees taken by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Icicles hanging off of an old fence by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Snow by the Sea Shore taken by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn

Snow is incredibly delightful but fairly rare so when it falls it is like magic. The only trouble is deciding which way to go exploring before it melts.

Down at the sea shore it began to snow heavily and was very cold but the seagulls and geese didn’t mind. It is at this time that rational people go indoors and wait for the weather to break, I however opted to pull out my sweet little wildlife camera and tripod and record a bit of the storm for everyone to enjoy.

  • Snow by the Sea Shore taken by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Snow by the Sea Shore taken by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Snow by the Sea Shore taken by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Frozen Inlet by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Snow by the Sea Shore taken by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn

It is always amazing to me how incredible and different the snow makes everything look, it is like taking a holiday without going anywhere. The hush and silence that the snow brings with it is just as brilliant and also a welcome change. It was a wonderful day tromping around in the snow and photographing lovely sites and getting soaked and cold. On my way back I took another short video of the same location, albeit shot from different vantage point of the same region that the snow had been falling on shortly before, what an incredibly difference and a perfect ending to a wonderful day.

The Jawshop presents Recording an IR in a Cave

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  • Musician Paul Clifford, field recording at the jawshop adventure recording studios.
  • Musician Paul Clifford, field recording at the jawshop adventure recording studios.
  • Musician Paul Clifford, field recording at the jawshop adventure recording studios.
  • Musician Paul Clifford, field recording at the jawshop adventure recording studios.
  • Musician Paul Clifford, field recording at the jawshop adventure recording studios.

In this episode of the Jawshop we travel into a small cave to capture an IR (Impulse Response) using an AEA R88 stereo ribbon mic. This short video includes examples of sounds put through the cave IR so you can hear how cool the effect sounds.

Tiny Anna’s Hummingbird on Snowy Branch

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Sitting on a snowy branch,
Waiting for the spring,
Dreaming of the bright flowers,
And the happiness they bring.
  • Anna's Hummingbird on a snowy branch taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Anna's Hummingbird on a snowy branch taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Anna's Hummingbird and a Sunflower taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn

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.

Raccoon Fight

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“We don’t have to go to wild places to find wildlife. A surprisingly wide range of species can be found in our cities and towns, from familiar animals like the raccoon to more exotic ones like the mountain lion.“

Roger Tory Peterson
  • Raccoon in Tree taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Raccoon in Tree taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Raccoons fighting in a Tree taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Raccoons fighting in a Tree taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Raccoons fighting in a Tree taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Raccoons fighting in a Tree taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Raccoons fighting in a Tree taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Raccoons fighting in a Tree taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Raccoons fighting in a Tree taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn

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.

Salish Seagull Life

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Down by the bay,
the Seagull's play,
dressed in their fine feathers,
of black, white and grey.
  • Seagull splashing in the Salish Sea taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Seagull splashing in the Salish Sea taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Seagull splashing in the Salish Sea taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Seagull splashing in the Salish Sea taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Seagull splashing in the Salish Sea taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Seagull swallowing a Starfish taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Seagull with a Starfish taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Seagull with a Starfish taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn

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.

“As I watched the seagulls, I thought, that’s the road to take; find the absolute rhythm and follow it with absolute trust.”

Nikos Kazantzakis
  • Seagulls diving for starfish in the Salish Sea taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Seagulls diving for starfish in the Salish Sea taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Seagulls diving for starfish in the Salish Sea taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Seagull with a Starfish taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • A Seagull taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Seagull with a clam taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Seagull with a Starfish taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Seagulls in the Surf taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn

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
  • Flying Seagull taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Flying Seagull taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Flying Seagull taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Flying Seagull taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Seagulls bathing in the Salish Sea taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Seagulls bathing in the Salish Sea taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • Seagulls bathing in the Salish Sea taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • A flying Seagull taken with Olympus Evolt E-300 by Coastal Salish Photographer TS Ni hUiginn

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

The Jawshop Presents Prepared Piano

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  • Musician Paul Clifford, field recording at the jawshop adventure recording studios.
  • Interior image from Paul Clifford's Jawshop Adventure Recording Studios
  • Musician Paul Clifford, field recording at the jawshop adventure recording studios.
  • Still image of a microphone attached to a piano from the Prepared Piano video by the Jawshop Adventure Recording Studios.
  • Musician Paul Clifford drumming at the jawshop adventure recording studios.
  • Still image of a microphone attached to a piano from the Prepared Piano video by the Jawshop Adventure Recording Studios.

Audio Recording Guru Paul Clifford has released another recording adventure. This time he sticks closer to home utilising his studio piano in 4 different ways to create a bassline for a loop that is being recorded in The Jawshop Studio.

A Tree Grows out of the DTES

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  • A tree and fern growing out of a a building in the DTES taken by Salish photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • A fern growing out of a building in the DTES taken by Salish photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • A tree and fern growing out of a a building in the DTES taken by Salish photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • A tree and fern growing out of a a building in the DTES taken by Salish photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • A tree growing out of a building in the DTES taken by Salish photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • A tree and fern growing out of a a building in the DTES taken by Salish photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • A tree and fern growing out of a a building in the DTES taken by Salish photographer TS Ni hUiginn
  • A fern growing out of a a building in the DTES taken by Salish photographer TS Ni hUiginn

Nature photography is not strictly a rural affair. It is important to pay attention to what is actually going on around you and not to overlook the details. These strong and determined little plants make up one of the most delightful places I have ever spied.

RainCatcher

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  • Join Recording Artist/Musician Paul Clifford and his custom Airstream Mobile Audio Recording Studio on his recording adventures in rural Ontario, Canada. The locations for his field recording adventures include rivers, forests, silo’s, culverts and a whole lot more.
  • Contact Mics attached to Recording Artist/Musician Paul Clifford's custom Airstream Mobile Audio Recording Studio on his recording adventures in rural Ontario, Canada. The locations for his field recording adventures include rivers, forests, silo’s, culverts and a whole lot more.
  • 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.

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.