Moochers on the Blossoms

Posted on May 16, 2023 by talbothiggins

“Stay away from lazy parasites, who perch on you just to satisfy their needs, they do not come to alleviate your burdens, hence, their mission is to distract, detract and extract, and make you live in abject poverty.”

― Michael Bassey Johnson

Something caught the corner of my eye while passing a planter full of tulips on the sidewalk that inspired me to stop for a double-take. It did not take long to find the cause of the nasty blemishes on the lovely blooms was due to Aphids. Unfortunately parasites are a reality that we have to be aware of and stand on guard against especially in human society. Although it isn’t fun to adopt a cynical and mistrustful nature, it is an unfortunately necessity and a natural part of life and survival. And we aren’t above nature just because we think we are, it is better to be humble and aware than have your blossoms infested with aphids.

© TS Ni hUiginn

A Gaggle of Goslings

Posted on May 14, 2023 by talbothiggins

"There are some who can live without wild things, and some who cannot. For us of the minority, the opportunity to see geese is more important than television, and the chance to find a pasque-flower is a right as inalienable as free speech."

Aldo Leopold

We made the acquaintance of this lovely young family early today on the beach near the edge of the Salish Sea. Geese are generally unpleasant creatures but despite their unfortunate temperaments they are still rather handsome and their goslings are perfectly adorable. It is highly advisable to respect their boundaries which should be the rule with all families.

© TS Ni hUiginn

The Jawshop Presents The Business of the Show

Posted on May 13, 2023 by talbothiggins

There is no sense being an artist if you do not create art once in a while. That being stated we are proud to present the Jawshops new short art film, the Business of Show. This film delves deeper into Swamp Horlick’s heritage, as well introduces Psywig and Luigi The Grocer.

© Paul Clifford the jawshop

The Hatching of the Swarm

Posted on May 13, 2023 by talbothiggins

Termites and nature in general are not bigoted, they have no problem co-existing with human’s and have managed to find places to fit in despite being left out of community planning. Nature is resourceful, adaptable and capable, and as part of nature we share the ability to adapt and survive. It isn’t just the termites who have to adjust to life on the streets these days. It isn’t just the termites who’s existence and struggle is also ignored by disinterested passer’s-by these day. Societies leaders can only be judged by how they treat the most vulnerable members of their communities and right now as far as I can see things aren’t looking too good and it is long past time to do better.

© TS Ni hUiginn

The Jawshop Presents Recording a Waterfall

Posted on May 12, 2023 by talbothiggins

Travel along on this Jawshop adventure as Paul Clifford gets his feet wet as he produces his first water fall recordings. Utilising several microphones, including his hydrophone Paul captures some pretty brilliant and powerful audio from in and out of the water. Check it out in the video below or on his youtube channel where you will find many other audio recording adventures.

© Paul Clifford the jawshop

The Ducklings have Arrived!!!

Posted on May 11, 2023 by talbothiggins

    "If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, we have at least to consider the possibility that we have a small aquatic bird of the family anatidae on our hands."

- Douglas Adams

This is a time of year I look forward to every year, the joy of happening upon a proud new mother and her happy brood cannot be beat. This young mother duck was particularly pleased with her brood, but also watchful due to the closely located eagles nest with its own hungry chicks nestled within. It will not be easy for her to protect her brood until they reach maturity, something we have to keep in mind when documenting nature. It isn’t always sweetness and sunshine.

Parenting isn’t easy, nor are we guaranteed success. Parents are subjected to a great deal of disrespect and under appreciation. Despite this the majority of parents sojourn on, like their own parents did for them. Doing what is right for their offspring, often making sacrifices out of love and duty for no financial reward or with no alternative motive. Most parents unselfishly provide children with shelter, food and protection from predators in the most natural and healthy way possible and this is one of the natural phenomenons that we would be wise to preserve and protect.

© TS Ni hUiginn

The Sapsuckers Swamp

Posted on May 6, 2023 by talbothiggins

What a lovely looking swamp, lets go down and see it up close.

Swamps get unfairly judged, it is often assumed that they are undesirable places. The truth is that they hold as much beauty and life as any natural spot and far more than any created by people. It was very good medicine to spend time in this place and I am forever grateful to my Elder who brought me here.

A sudden flash of red catches my eye before it flits closer and lands.

A little sap sucker has arrived to feast on his favourite tree, adding more scars to the tender young bark that it will carry for these rest of its days. As we can see the sap from this swamp tree is sweet and nourishing which is why the sap suckers make it their home. They are very wise to do so as it has everything they need as well as being incredibly beautiful. It is wiser to refrain from drawing conclusions about something without first experiencing what it is for yourself, but only to do so with an open mind and spirit.

© TS Ni hUiginn

Spring Promises

Posted on May 4, 2023 by talbothiggins

Blossoms,

Water droplets

Lovely promises of good things to come.

The Jawshop Presents Drums in a Silo

Posted on May 2, 2023 by talbothiggins

Tag along with Paul Clifford on his fun adventure to record drums in an empty grain silo. In this episode of the Jawshop Adventure Recordings Paul sets up his Gretsch Drum kit in a Grain Silo. If you would like to hear the killer reverb he produced check out the video below.

The Beaches

Posted on April 26, 2023 by talbothiggins

"The beaches are covered with sea-shells white
When the tide runs out sea-grasses wave and beckon you in.
The shadow people live there, it is said -
Shadow people one cannot see until the sun is up
To cast their shadows on the sands of sea-shells white."
George Clutesi