The Changing Seasons, April 2019

/ Su Leslie
helix ferns 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 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

  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.

76 thoughts on “The Changing Seasons, April 2019”

  1. I should never look at food photos when I’m hungry. Sigh. But I enjoyed all the other shots as well. I love that there can be such beauty in decaying and dead plants. Makes it easier to enjoy the months were there’s no new growth. Happy almost-May, Su.

    janet

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  3. Those fern shots are my favourite. I still have to go to my ‘garden’ for this month’s photos. The rain and wind last week stopped me from doing the walk. Hopefully I can get it done tomorrow!

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  7. I used to bake bread too, so I admire your bread. You almost make me want to bake again. Almost. It would have been a very dull month here too if it had not been for the birds and the ONE day we got out to take pictures!

    Your posts always make me hungry!

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    • 😀 making bread has become a necessity since we have become less and less able to eat commercially-produced bread, and there isn’t a lot of affordable sourdough/naturally-made bread around where we live.

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      • There isn’t a lot of natural bread without chemical preservatives anywhere. And it’s hard to find sourdough, too. I used to get mine from other bakers, but I don’t know anyone now. We are lucky in that we don’t eat a lot of bread. The only natural bread is the really expensive loaves at the bakery in the grocery. It’s too expensive to eat every day, so it remains a treat!

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        • I love bread!!! It is my dietary downfall. I’ve found a mill near where my dad lives that makes flour from locally and organically grown wheat, so I’m experimenting with that to see if it behaves differently in the sourdough. So many experiments … so many loaves. See what I mean about it being my downfall.

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  8. Su, you came up with some beautiful photos to depict April. I do know what you mean though, my maple has only just begun to change colour, while many other deciduous trees ejected their leaves in February and March as a water conservation measure. Those fern leaves are works of art. Speaking of which, the photos of friend’s art studio being packed up made me feel a little sad. I had grown quite fond of seeing your lovely photos of her studio and art classes. I hope her next adventure involves something arty. Also, well done on that foccaccia. It looks divine.

    Here is my link. I don’t think my pingbacks are working at the moment. I understand this is a common problem. https://reflectionsofanuntidymind.blog/2019/04/30/the-changing-seasons-april-2019/
    Regards. Tracy.

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  15. Those fern leaves are so beautiful! Even in decay! They could be made from rusted cast iron. 🙂 And I’m so sorry to hear that Claire is packing up her studio – hope she will find a perfect new place as soon as she comes back from her travels! Like Tracy I really enjoyed your photos of it and the classes she was giving.
    That Hundertwasser art center is so awesome!! He’s one of my favorite artists, maybe because he was one of the first I really noticed, just like Van Gogh. And if I hadn’t just enjoyed a piece of cake, I would be salivating at the sight of your food and that wonderful Foccacia bread!! No, wait – I do anyway! 😀
    Love the pics of the Classic Car Show, especially from that mum with those cool cat-eye sunglasses and a very determined look on her face. 😉
    So lovely to catch up with you this way again, Su! Have a fabulous week! xxxxxxx

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    • I hope she finds a new place soon too; I know how difficult it is to work without a proper space, and I think her urge to create be too strong for temporary living arrangements.
      I’m excited about the Hundertwasser Centre being built. It has been talked about for years, so to see some actual progress on it is wonderful.
      Wishing you a creative, fun week ahead. xxxxxxx

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  18. I loved your metaphor “as we age, we seek out and need the support of others — creating strength and beauty through unity”. Beautiful words to accompany a stunning photo.

    The last photo of Parau Bay calls to me.

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    • It will be amazing. It’s pretty much Hundertwasser’s original design (from the 1990s) and will be the last of his designs that can be built.
      The bread-making has become a necessity really. I can’t comfortably eat supermarket bread any more and buying proper sourdough in the quantities I can eat isn’t really feasible. Time-consuming though 😦

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  24. Love your photo essay of the month Su, such an interesting one it actually turned out to be. Sad to hear about your artist friend, but I’m sure she will soon find somewhere else and that new art centre will be fascinating. “as we age, we seek out and need the support of others — creating strength and beauty through unity” such a profound thought to go with the fern, a beautiful photo and thought. I’m running late this month, but even though I’m not blogging much at the moment I couldn’t let the month slip by unrecorded. Thanks for running this challenge Su. https://retiredfromgypsylife.wordpress.com/2019/05/03/changing-seasons-april-2019/ thankfully my desk top computer is now all fixed and even though it still has windows 7 it goes like a dream now…

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