Silver Brumby – Birds as Poetry —— Just because I WANDER

Dah dah, An easy one today. Add a Header Image.

So I’ve chosen a new header image, and it will be static for a few days, then I’ll add it back into the random set.

Falcon at the Harris Gate

A mentor of mine John Harris by name, well he was both a mentor, torMentor, inspirational creative, and all round great bloke, came down to the Treatment Plant with me one day. We drove around and he was more impressed by a gateway than perhaps anything else. “Always look at the details, look at the obvious as there is always a highlight there somewhere, that others aren’t seeing. That is the diamond. Look for it always.” to somewhat paraphrase a long lecture.

On the way home he discussed a Gateway he’d seen and wanted at some stage to make another trip down in late evening light to photograph it, in his inimitable manner.

But, life didn’t play him that card, and he passed on to finer scenery not long afterward. In his honour, I’ve searched out that gate and named it the “Harris Gate”.

The other night on the way back home we passed the Harris Gate and lo and behold a Brown Falcon was enjoying both the gate, and the evening sunshine.

So John, it might not be the series that you saw in your minds eye, but old mate, here is the best I could do.

Define 2 output. — Brown Flacon Sitting Pretty on Harris Gate

DWJ_6972 — Typical Brown Falcon Exit. Low ground hugging and fast

DWJ_6974 — The Absolute Master of the bush top Flying

Another Master at Work. John Harris at WTP. The handkerchief is to remove nasty lens flare from backlighting. “It’s all in the details, look closer, that is where the story is. It’s all in there” OnyaJohn

New week, new assignment. The “ABOUT ME” page.

Frankly, I’m pretty much over who “Me” is. I have really wanted to be transparent on the blog and let the photos and words be the heroes and carry the story. The pictures and words on each story are much more important to me, than ‘selling’ myself.
In the end, if nothing else, the images I make and the stories I write honour the subjects, that will in be sufficient for me.

Thinking about the About page made me realise, at least to my own satisfaction, that in the end, I’d just publish here because I’d like to share some of those small moments we experience with the birds. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Building Connections, the San Bushman culture.

Jon Young has quite a bit to say about the relationship of the San Bushmen and their land. A keen awareness that is virtually impossible for them not to acquire or at least appreciate an understanding of the bird’s perspective. – See there it is the “about me”.

Recently found a wonderful book about the author, Elyne Mitchell, who wrote a series of children’s books titled The Silver Brumby, great kids read, and pretty nice for adults to chill out on too. She had a delicious way of describing the horses, their land and their activities.

I bought EE a copy of the book, because in some ways it reflects, how I’ve been able to watch her photography, and her interaction making connections over the past few years blossom and mature. See her Flickr site Friendsintheair to see what I mean.

I wonder how many of us had read at least one of The Silver Brumby series.

We’ve walked the high country EE, I and our small children, summer after summer, autumn and spring. You will of course note not much mention of Winter in that sentence. Seen the horses run, (Yeah, I know, I know, spare me the lecture on muddied wildflower beds, damaged winter grasses – enjoy the horses) and it’s all part of building connections.

EE has taken to building relationship with a pair of Eastern Yellow Robins at the You Yangs. They are, as you’ll be aware, right in the middle of bringing up their young one. This relationship stuff is a one person thing. So I’ve been glad to sit back and let her work with the pair. I take shots as the birds give me permission.
So here is a few portraits from recents sessions. And that is what Birds as Poetry, is about. Didn’t need an “About” page after all eh?

Enjoy