Wednesday 2 April 2014

Blossoms, beginnings and endings

The early blossoms are starting to appear on the trees; they are pretty and delicate and add and subtle perfume to the air.




Delicate pinks, white and deeper blossoms herald the beginning of spring to me.



 

"The Blossom" is a poem by William Blake, published in Songs of Innocence in 1789:

File:Blake The Blossom.jpg




 
“The artist is the confidant of nature, flowers carry on dialogues with him through the graceful bending of their stems and the harmoniously tinted nuances of their blossoms. Every flower has a cordial word which nature directs towards him.”
August Rodin
 



These blossoms remind me of fluffy little tutus:



 



Blossoms in the Springtime (song byVaughn Horton)

When I see blossoms in the springtime
I know that sweetheart time is here
My love that blossoms in the springtime
Blooms in my heart through all the year.
I love the blossoms in the springtime
Kissed by the sunshine and the rain
I love to hold you oh my darling
When kisses bloom in sweetheart's lane.
 
Never to flame all winter long
Then like the blossoms in the springtime
Burst with the first red robin's song.
I love the blossoms in the springtime
Kissed by the sunshine and the rain
I love to hold you oh my darling
When kisses bloom in sweetheart's lane.
 


Here is a video "Simon's Cat: Springtime"




I mentioned endings in my title. Earlier this week I was wandering in my garden when I found the tiny body of a hummingbird. It is one of the Anna's Hummingbirds that have been coming to our feeders year round for a few years. This one was a bit smaller than the others.
 
An Anna's Hummingbird is a medium sized hummingbird native to the west coast of North America. It has a reddish purple throat but here it appears black.
 
It was sad to see, this little fellow's ending was especially poignant to me because it is just the beginning of spring and new life.



 
On a happier note a bit later in the afternoon I got a picture of another Anna's at one of our feeders.
 
 
 
I have begun painting again, several things at once, but have only managed to finish one painting so far. It is painting of a bird I saw in Italy last summer, a black headed gull I think. A watercolour, no name, no signature, just a little study I did.
 
 
 
 
 That's all for this week, happy Wednesday, thanks so much for dropping by.
 
Gillian
 


11 comments:

  1. I think it is a Black Headed Gull. The ones here are a chocolate brown though and all white in winter.

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  2. your painting is beautiful. sweet and relaxing.

    loved all your blossoms.

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  3. The painting is lovely.. the colours are so calming. I'm envious of your blossoms.. we're still under a couple of feet of snow, here. So sad about the wee hummingbird. A tiny lost treasure.

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  4. gorgeous, gorgeous blooms!!! this left me longing for spring!!

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  5. Beautiful blossoms, and yes, your painting is the Black-headed Gull, lovely artist.

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  6. The blossoms are lovely, I especially love the pinks! The poem and your painting are wonderful. Very sad to see the dead hummer. I am looking forward to the hummingbird arriving..Wonderful post.

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  7. Your painting is beautiful, love the colors you used. I am a big fan of Simon's cats cartoons. Really like the poem. I saw a hummingbird flying about on one of my walks, they are so tiny.

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  8. The blossoms are just beautiful ~ we are enjoying them here as well. Hoping they last as long as possible! Got a kick out of Simon and the how spring sprung on him ;) Lovely painting ~ such a peaceful feeling emanates from it. Here is an url of a live hummingbird feed in Victoria, BC...just saw a parent feed babies!
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrM34fdmloc&feature=share

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  9. AH! The spring blossoms are soooo beautiful!

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  10. Firt off, love the painting! Sad about the hummingbird. I love watching them. We had one that would hover near the window, staring at us when the feeder was empty. Can't wait to see some of those spring blossoms around here. My favorite time of the year.

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  11. Delightful shots of the blossoms. I love the painting of the gull.

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