Let’s catch up!

One thing I’ve learned about myself over the past few years and through the pandemic is that it’s ok to explore your creative urges and have a go at something new, even if you don’t intend to finish what you’ve started. It’s also OK to have a break from something. So I have been developing my writing – more poetry, comedy scripts and then I had an idea for two children’s picture books and after many drafts, I finally sent the manuscripts off to literary agents. A few rejections later, I am hopeful, but expecting more rejections to come. Was this my creative curve evolving or a mid life crisis! Meanwhile, my poor camera was zipped up and trapped in its bag in a cupboard, longing to see daylight, whilst I relied on my iPhone camera for convenience. Through the pandemic an obsession with dog walking, coffee beans, board games and hot cross buns with thick butter, got me through. The caffeine shot won and I lost the passion for photography during this time. I just didn’t feel like it.

Until …

a juvenile heron turned up one morning in my garden unexpectedly, in October 2022. I was gazing out the bathroom window and there it was, resting on a bed of golden leaves in my Acer tree. Running to my bedroom, I knew I had barely seconds to grab the phone and take the shot. Acer trees, are particularly stunning in the Autumn. This is the shot.

Heron in my garden Acer tree: 7th October 2022

It was considered an unusual sighting so I sent the picture to local papers, a few facebook pages and the heron had its minute of fame online and in the local Gazette and Tribune. This young heron brought me luck that morning and gave me a sense of purpose when I was feeling a bit stuck. I felt it was important that locals heard about it to lift their spirits!

Fleeting moments can pass you by, if you are not really seeing the opportunities or looking at what’s there right in front of you. I tend to miss these opportunities myself, because I’m searching for more complicated opportunities to give me satisfaction.

Last week, I went to Northumberland with my mum and daughter. If you haven’t visited this part of England before, PLEASE GO!