Wednesday 27 April 2016

Potpourri

The English language has a lot of words for an assortment of things. Todays post is a potpourri of pictures and thoughts.
 
First here is my latest painting:
 
 
It is a watercolour of a Sunflower Bouquet, which I have named, you guessed it "Sunflower Bouquet".
 
Sunflowers are amazing plants, when I watch them grow from day to day I am reminded of the Jack in the bean stalk story. Here is a video showing the growth in time lapse photography:
 
 
 
 
 
To return to the assortment topic:
 
as·sort·ment
əˈsôrtmənt/
noun
noun: assortment; plural noun: assortments
  1. a miscellaneous collection of things or people.

    "the room was filled with an assortment of clothes"


 In my "gatherum" today I start with pictures of a Bush Tit nest. This is the first time I have ever photographed one of their nests, though I have seen many pictures I have never managed to spot one myself. A very kind gentleman pointed one out to me recently and told me where other nests were located. First here is the one he showed me:



 
Here are two more that I found myself. 

 

 
 
Bushtits weave a very unusual hanging nest, shaped like a sock, from moss, spider webs, and grasses.
 
One more look:

 
Here is a YouTube video of a pair of  Bush Tits building a nest:
 
 
 
 
A pair of Buffleheads, I believe:


 
... and a farrago of perennials and weeds:
 
 
Columbine

 
Dandelion and daisies

 
A mystery plant:

 
A Poppy bud, reminds me of a caricature:

 
Poppies

 
Almost black Tulips

 
more tulips

 
 
Did you know that an assortment of verse or poems is called an ontology?
 
Here is just one: 
 
 
Just One Poet Unknown 

One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.

One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal

One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.


One step must start each journey.
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.

One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what's true,

One life can make a difference,
You see, it's up to you!



----------------------------------
 
 
Well that is it for this week, happy Wednesday, with whimsy,
 
 
Gillian
 
 
I appreciate your feedback!