Sunday 7 August 2011

Week 31



Here is my double page for week 31. It has been a week of high tides and I was interested to see what I might find this week. On Wednesday I saw a huge jelly fish washed onto the shore, see photograph below. The tides left a nasty brown scum everywhere and the shore has been very wet and muddy. The shore was littered with feathers and crabs and a variety of bits and pieces of seashore objects.  The weather forecast gave a really wet day for Saturday so I went down on Friday evening, to enjoy a lovely evening.  Saturday was fine so I went again and wandered across the other side of the tidal river to the bigger shore.  It did rain and we did get a little wet but we had a really nice walk and saw the geese on the sandy shore.  I collected so many feathers, found where the curlews sit and so many beautiful striped feathers came home with me.  We estimated about 200 geese after counting 60 in one group and seeing the others.  There were two black cormorants, a heron, the curlews, gulls, oyster catchers and  two white geese amongst the brown ones.  It was such a loud noise when all the geese flew, all honking, the sounds echoing across the estuary.  I have added lots of images of the shore.
I am here just about to leave the shore after our walk with my bag full of finds. I chose the seaweed pieces as it is a while since I have really seen any, the lovely blue shell and the blue duck feather.  The striped Curlew feather and one belonging to one of the geese.  We kept finding where the geese had been sitting, lots of feathers and the pellet shaped poo.  The pools and gullies were all full of water and more and more of the grassy banks are breaking up and falling into the sand. We saw two little fish in a pool and heard other bigger fish jumping in the tidal river. A little rabbit sat on the bank and lifted up her ears when she heard us talking, then quickly disappeared down a hole.  I found a small mermaids purse and saw little shrimps.  The shore is littered with empty and broken crab cases and legs, it was nice to see a tiny live crab moving in the sand. 
On Saturday we saw the steam train go through the village again and return later.  Here is my photograph from two weeks ago, taken off our railway bridge by me. It is such a lovely sight, wanted to share it with you.   I will leave you with some images from my walks.







Hope you enjoy seeing a little more of my walks.                                      Millyx

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

I smiled when I saw your finds, on our walk this morning, i found a shell a feather and a curled brown leaf which I sketched upon my return,, great minds think alike!I didn't post it yet though,, I'm not as good as you though,,

Melody said...

OOoooooo pretty blue feather!! I LOVE the little hearts i see in your sea weed! (i seem to see them in many things?...) Lovely shells and beautiful scenery! Do you keep all the treasures you find after you are done drawing them? Great the way the seaweed, cuuurls around the page! Awesome art as always!! :)))))

Frances said...

Milly, your reporting of week 31 really does give us a good idea of the weather, the tides, the mood of the shore.

I admit that huge jellyfish really amazes me. Wow!

The feathers, shells and other treasures that you collected and have chosen to draw are true beauties! Nature truly provides us with endless variety and so much inspiration.

xo

Lynn said...

Beautiful.
That feather is incredible.

suz said...

Love the blues in these drawings. The various aspect of the shell are so lovely. Thank you for sharing photos of your walk as well.

Diana said...

hi Milly, beautiful, I esp. love the blues in the feather and shells.. and I enjoyed seeing your shore, so lovely. gorgeous work. Diana

Windsongs and Wordhoards said...

Another great painting, lovely irridescent blue feather... I enjoyed seeing the lovely photos of your shore and hearing about your various encounters... reminds me to think of the wild geese that have come flying over our house every evening this week at twilight, all honking their noisy conversations to one another as they pass. Also of the extraordinarily tame barn owl that circled low around us four times in broad daylight on the green a couple of weeks ago - that was very special!

martinealison said...

Il est bon de passer du temps à te lire, à admirer tes oeuvres... des découvertes à chaque fois.
La beauté naturelle qui me surprend toujours...
Bravo! et un grand merci. Un autre aussi pour tes gentils commentaires.
Gros bisous

Vicki Lee Johnston said...

Hi Milly - thank you for your lovely post on my blog. I love seeing the treasures you collect on your walks - your paintings are exquisite, wish I lived next door and could follow in your footsteps :):)

A Brush with Color said...

beautiful! I love your drawings of these.

Acornmoon said...

I can smell the salty air!

Tony and I went on a steam train when we were in your neck of the woods, it was wonderful. I had forgotten however how very bumpy the ride!

I envy you your location, even more so now with all the unrest in the cities.

Catharina Maria said...

I love the art you made from the shells and other finds !
Love from the Netherlands ♥RINI♥