Midlothian & Yorkshire Cherry Tree Blossom

When the Cherry Trees burst into full it is obvious that Spring is here. Warm winds filled with returning scents carry aloft the hopes for a vibrant Summer. Suddenly the memories of Winter are banished as the fresh blossoms fill rich blue skies. The ever changing seasons offer us a brief tableaux that capture the essence of the moment. In just a matter of days the fantastic full bloom of the tree begins to wan and the cycle of life moves ever onwards. It is a great point of perspective to be able to take in the transient fragile images that natural growth give us knowing there is no way to halt the moving images set by the action of seasons.

Early Esdi Easter Eggs

If you're in luck it might be duck. These early Easter eggs came my way from Esdi the duck keeper. Apart from rearing livestock Esdi Leanne creates fashions and fashion creations. Her dressmaking skills are a wonder to behold and her hand reared duck eggs are a delight to sample. My fresh supply came in a sealed Ziplock bag. This was my first ever egg delivery in a plastic bag. I can only hope for more of the same as these bagged deliveries were the finest eggs that I can remember having on my plate. It is often said that home reared produce is superlative and in this instance I can heartily agree. The only possible complaint that I could have is that I had to make my own breakfast and to clean up the crumbs too. 

Sylvan Tangles

The extraordinary transformations of plants are testament to the fantastic forms that come naturally into existence. Held within the shapes of growth are the many varied patterns of life. There is something spellbinding about the slowly formed images set in tree growths. The time it takes and the shaping forces of many seasons matures the Sylvan Tangles into wondrous forms. It often appears that the tree spirit will not give in to obstruction and that the force of turgor pressure will prevail against encumbrances.

From dormant buds a burr can bloom. This collection of small knots can blossom into a large outgrowth which is highly prized for the beauty of the natural grain formed in the making of the burr, bur or burl. Gnarls and burrs may look like terrible traumas but trees exist with them for many years and seem to grow past or through the knots. The slow growth of trees gives us an impression that they are a near constant presence in our view. A felled woodland looks like devastation and the memory of a single fallen tree can create the perception of a loss for those that still remember the absent tree. Yet the Sylvan Tangles of continued growth and fresh tendrils of new saplings keep on reaching out for soil and air. So there is hope of many more Sylvan Tangles for us all to follow if we choose to seek them out. If we wish to follow their example then there will always be worthy encumbrances for us to ignore as obstructions and instead for us to take on as fitting challenges.

Photos on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/phhsykes/sets/72157626287571767/

YouTube HD Film presentation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bofAn1Rzifg

PHH Sykes

©2011

www.phhsykes.co.uk