Reminder of a long-ago holiday in Corsica. Honey pot repurposed. Image: Su Leslie, 2017
In 1997 the Big T and I went to Corsica; our last holiday before the boy-child came along. In the town of Patrimonio, we bought local honey in a ceramic jar. It was delicious; dark and strong and positively singing with wild herb flavours.
At some point since then, the jar found a second life as a pencil holder, sitting on my desk as a daily reminder of a week in paradise so long ago.
No news is good news, right? The shell was empty when we got home from the beach. In age: Su Leslie, 2017
I had such high hopes of watching our latest chrysalis emerge, but when we got home from the beach yesterday, the shell was empty. I’m taking this as a sign the butterfly successfully emerged. The process was much faster than with the last hatchling, which I think might also be a good sign.
So sadly, no video of an emerging butterfly, but hopefully one more Monarch to thrive and breed.
By way of compensation, here are a couple of shots of the first hatchling; which somehow survived the chrysalis stage glued to a matchstick, held in place with a bulldog clip, attached to a nail in a piece of wood.
Hatchling one; rescued from the ground, and held in place with glue and the Big T’s ingenuity.Image: Su Leslie, 2016.
Testing its wings. Monarch butterfly rescue hatchling #1. Image: Su Leslie, 2016
What a difference a few hours make. The chrysalis today … Image: Su Leslie, 2017
Monarch chrysalis. Protected from the wind in the Big T’s butterfly shelter. This is the second chrysalis he’s rescued from the wild weather, and hopefully this one will also emerge a butterfly soon.
Blurred, exposed twice, tweaked a bit … Image: Su Leslie, 2017
When photography took on the role of offering verisimilitude from painting, it freed painters to experiment with new forms of artistic expression.
Now, the ubiquity of photo-editing tools offers photographers a similar chance to experiment, play, and test the boundaries of the medium.
Error or art? Moving the camera while the shutter is open. Image: Su Leslie, 2017
In the past, “camera shake” and blurring made a photograph seem less valuable. Now such shots are just a starting point for creative play.
Blurred, another double-exposure and tweaked a bit more. Image: Su Leslie, 2017
Written for Sally D’s Mobile Photography Challenge at Lens and Pens by Sally.
Grace in the simple curve of an aging leaf. Image: Su Leslie, 2016
Grace is the beauty of form under the influence of freedom. — Friedrich Schiller
Bowed into a gentle wind. Image: Su Leslie, 2016
Deceptive! Mostly this month it’s been too cold and windy to spend much time outside. Image: Su Leslie, 2017
2017 began for the Big T and me at Waitangi, in Northland, NZ. We were there to help old friends celebrate their marriage. The “proper” wedding had taken place earlier in England, so the celebration — on New Year’s Eve — at Waitangi was billed as a ratification of their marriage treaty. And where better to celebrate that than the site where our country’s founding document was signed in 1840.
As the groom is Samoan and the bride English, there was plenty of cross-cultural ceremony and tradition, including welcoming the English family into the Samoan, a powhiri by the marae kapa haka group to welcome us all onto the marae at Waitangi, and lots of energetic Samoan dancing.
And with the formalities over … let’s just say we partied hard and it was a great way to welcome in a new year.
January 1, 2017, Waitaingi, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2017
The weather has kind of gone downhill during the month, but T and I managed to take advantage of a few sunny days to enjoy some beach time at Raglan where we watched some young surfers and the Big T got an impromptu salt water shower; at Muriwai where the gannets and their chicks continue to enthrall; and on North Head where our picnic attracted the attention of the local bird-life.
And as for the rest of the month? Some time spent playing in a friend’s art studio, lots of photography and a few glasses of wine.
After all, I have to begin the year the way I intend to carry on.
Image: Su Leslie, 2017
This post is my contribution to The Changing Seasons, a monthly challenge hosted by Cardinal Guzman. Please visit to see the Cardinal’s month, and find links to other participants.
There are two versions of the challenge:
Version 1 (The Changing Seasons V1):
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons
Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery.
Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
Version 2 (The Changing Seasons V2):
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons
Each month, post one photo (recipe, painting, drawing, whatever) that represents your interpretation of the month.
Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
Tricks of the light. One shot, several edits. Image: Su Leslie, 2017
Sunday breakfast; croissant and fruit. Image: Su Leslie, 2017
With all that’s happening in the world, and in my own life, it was nice to take a little time this morning to think, write, watch the wind blow debris all over the lawn — and enjoy breakfast.
Sunday morning breakfast. Image: Su Leslie, 2017
Sunday morning breakfast. Image: Su Leslie, 2017
BBQ prawns, with tomato coriander salad and basil oil. Dinner by the Big T. Image: Su Leslie, 2017
The weather is being kind to us at the moment, and the Big T was on dinner duty. Cue BBQ prawns, with a tomato and coriander salad and some fresh basil oil. Enjoyed al fresco of course!
Image: Su Leslie, 2017
Image: Su Leslie, 2017
Image: Su Leslie, 2017
Image: Su Leslie,2017
Image: Su Leslie, 2017
Zimmerbitch 