The Changing Seasons, April 2019

Fern leaves in decay. Image: Su Leslie 2019

I guess is says a lot about my April that I’ve got to the 30th and am casting around for images to post for the Changing Seasons.

It’s not that I haven’t taken lots of photos; more that they don’t seem to speak coherently of a month that has breezed over me, leaving little trace of itself.

As I write this, the sky outside is unbroken blue, and apart from a neighbour’s Japanese Maple, the trees I can see are green and still carrying a full complement of leaves. It’s autumn Jim, but not as we know it. (1)

The shot above was taken on the bush trail on Mt Manaia, on the Whangarei Heads. The Big T and I explored some of the track last weekend — stopping before the steep summit climb in deference to my arthritic knee.

It’s a beautiful place (both Mt Manaia and the Heads generally), and was surprisingly quiet for a glorious day at the end of the school holidays.

Fern fronds. Image: Su Leslie 2019

It took me a while to realise that the delicate intertwined spirals are fern fronds. As the leaves on each frond die, they curl in upon themselves. Where several leaves are in close proximity, they become entwined. If I were going to try and wrest Deep Meaning from it, I’d suggest it is a metaphor for how, as we age, we seek out and need the support of others — creating strength and beauty through unity.

Feel free just to enjoy how cool it looks.

In the absence of anything much to say about April; here’s a pot pourri of my month:

Food to share; a meal made on Good Friday and taken to the City Mission, which feeds those in need. Image: Su Leslie 2019

End of an era. Helping a friend to pack up her art studio and begin new adventures. Image: Su Leslie 2019

End of an era. Helping a friend to pack up her art studio and begin new adventures. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Foccaccia; the best I’ve made so far. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Beginnings. The first part of the new Hundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau Māori Art Gallery being built in Whangarei. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Beginnings. The first part of the new Hundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau Māori Art Gallery being built in Whangarei. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Detail; Hundertwasser Art Centre. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Detail; street art project referencing the influence of Friedensreich Hundertwasser’s art in Northland, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Street art, Whangarie, Northland, NZ.

Buckwheat granola. A new discovery, easy to make and very tasty. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Ocean beach, Whangarei Heads. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Mt Manaia, Northland, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Visitors to the classic car show, Whangarei. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Visitors to the classic car show, Whangarei. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Visitors to the classic car show, Whangarei. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Image: Su Leslie 2019

Parau Bay, Northland, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2019

About The Changing Seasons

The Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge where bloggers around the world share what’s been happening in their month.

If you would like to join in, here are the guidelines:

The Changing Seasons Version One (photographic):

• Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month
  
• Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
• Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them

The Changing Seasons Version Two (you choose the format):

• Each month, post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month
• Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
• Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so others can find them.

If you do a ping-back to this post, I can update it with links to all of yours.

Please check out the Changing Seasons — April for these awesome bloggers:

Little Pieces of Me

Tracy at Reflections of an Untidy Mind

Ju Lyn at All Things Bright and Beautiful

Marilyn at Serendipity — Seeking intelligent life on Earth

Tish at Writer on the Edge

Yvette at priorhouse blog

Joanne at My Life Lived Full

Sarah at Art Expedition

Jude at Life at the Edge

New to the Changing Seasons this month A Wonderful Sheep

Pauline at Living in Paradise

Gill at Talking Thailand

Deb at The Widow Badass

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1. The line of course is “it’s life Jim, but not as we know it” from the 1987 song “Star Trekkin” (The Firm). Those who have closely studied the texts say that such a line was never uttered verbatim in Star Trek.

Just add water

Overnight rain on hibiscus flower. Image: Su Leslie 2019

It is a photographic cliche, but raindrops on flowers and leaves really do improve a shot.

Posted to Macro Monday

Last day of the holidays

Surfers, Waipu Cove, Northland NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2019

The last couple of weeks has seen our schools on end of term break, so coupled with the close proximity of Easter and ANZAC Day, it seems that half the country has been on holiday (estimate based on highly scientific personal observation of traffic on State Highway One and the red dashed lines on Apple Maps).

Beach, Waipu Cove, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2019

I guess with people heading back to work and school tomorrow, it doesn’t seem so bad that the weather has packed in.

Last chance to play. Beach, Waipu Cove, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Friday flowers

Images: Su Leslie 2019

Regular Random: five minutes with some sparrows

I’m not a huge fan of sparrows, but it was quite entertaining watching a little posse of them brazenly trying to share my lunch recently.

Regular Random is a photo challenge hosted by Desley Jane at Musings of a Frequently Flying Scientist. Please pop over and take a look;  and if you’d like to join in:

• choose a subject or a scene
• spend five minutes photographing it – no more!
• try to not interfere with the subject, instead see it from many angles, look through something at it, change the light that’s hitting it
• have fun!
• tag your post #regularrandom and ping back to Desley’s post.

 

Wordless Wednesday

Enjoying the sunset. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Something new to play with

With my growing collection of old furniture to be up-cycled, I guess I’ll be using a lot of chalk paint. It’s supposed to go on easily and be great for creating a distressed look.

Hopefully on the furniture, rather than me.

Posted to Ragtag Daily Prompt | chalk

Getting creative with an old desk

Refurbished; old writing desk bought from a charity shop. Image: Su Leslie 2019

My student son lives in a shared flat, which means he has to keep most of his belongings in his bedroom, and work there too when the shared spaces get too busy or noisy.

So when I saw an old drop-front writing desk, it seemed a perfect solution to his need for both a workspace and storage.

In its original state, the desk was a bit dull and sad-looking, but it’s amazing what a few coats of white paint can do!

As bought. The wooden finish was a bit shabby, and too dark for a small bedroom. Image: Su Leslie 2019

I remember from my flatting days that rented houses never have enough lights or power points, they’re always in the wrong place, and there’s generally nothing you can do about it. So with the Big T’s help, I’ve fitted power and lighting to the desk itself, with a four-outlet power board (with USB ports) and a LED light above the desk area.

Integrated power-board makes it easy to use/charge laptop, phone, etc. Image: Su Leslie 2019

LED light attached to the desk should make the work area usable in any room. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Imagining how the desk would look as my workspace. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Image: Su Leslie 2019

Having brought the desk indoors to photograph it, I’m realising how useful I’d find something like this. And it does look good with the black & white chair.

Posted to the Lens-Artists’ Photo Challenge — creativity

However fabulous your shoes …

… it’s the dance you perform in them that counts.

Posted to #macromonday

Regular Random: five minutes with a Muriwai sunset

There aren’t too many things more beautiful than a beach at sunset. The Big T and I took a walk last night at Muriwai, on Auckland’s west coast. I snapped so many photos.

Regular Random is a photo challenge hosted by Desley Jane at Musings of a Frequently Flying Scientist. Please pop over and take a look;  and if you’d like to join in:

• choose a subject or a scene
• spend five minutes photographing it – no more!
• try to not interfere with the subject, instead see it from many angles, look through something at it, change the light that’s hitting it
• have fun!
• tag your post #regularrandom and ping back to Desley’s post.