nine random nature images
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| Two men contemplating the moon, by Caspar David Friedrich |
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| Beach near Broome |
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| George Bear - a journey (not really a nature image, but I love the photo and want to share it) |
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| Oncostema peruviana |
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| sharing the wonder of an ant |
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| Illustration by Arthur Rackham for a rare 1917 edition of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales |
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| Alice in Wonderland, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, Walker Books, 2005 |
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| A native Australian tree sprite |
Thank you. Some absolute beauties. And that tree sprite is a cutie.
ReplyDeleteLove George Bear. The first makes my heart ache though.
So many environmental organizations to support. I mostly support the Wilderness Society and the AMCS (Aust. Marine Conservation Society) both of which regularly show heartbreaking images. But we must try not to lose hope, mustn't we, EC?
DeleteI love Arthur Rackham's illustrations ! Unfortunately in a fit of madness I gave away my copy of 'Peter Pan in Kensington Garden's that had his images in it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame. Hopefully someone somewhere is appreciating it. I don't recall seeing his illustration of Peter Pan. I must look it up. I think he was a truly great illustrator.
DeleteThat is some tree you have in Australia -- what a huge trunk.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, that tree is Ficus macrophylla, and the photo was taken in the Melbourne Botanical Gardens.
DeleteBeautiful nature....... Love these images, especially Alice in Wonderland.
ReplyDeleteThat's one of my favourite scenes in the book. So pleased you love the image, Janneke.
Deleteyour little people must find your garden a place of wonder and delight!
ReplyDeleteThey still do, (sigh) but not in same way now they're a bit older.
DeleteThe tree sprite is adorable. (Is he the same little fellow examining the ant?) I loved Arthur Rackham's illustrations when I was a kid and had posters based on his prints in my childhood bedroom. Your photo of the Oncostema peruviana clued me into the fact that yet another reclassification is in process - I'm hoping mine blooms this spring but that's usually a 50-50 proposition here.
ReplyDeleteHi Kris, you're close - they're brothers! I remember getting lost in Arthur Rackham's illustrations as a kid.
DeleteWhat a beautiful, truthful post. I think my favorite is "sharing the wonder of an ant," but it's really the power of the collection that captures the hopefulness, and yet the warning and the wonder, isn't it? Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHi Beth, so pleased you like the collection.
DeleteWhat a nice variety of interesting images; I love the last one best!
ReplyDeleteThat tree sprite is a very special individual of the tree sprite species, although it is possible I am biased.
DeleteTurtles are awesome! 🐢
ReplyDeleteBy the older version of the person looking at an ant!!!!!! 😉
Wonder-filled collection of images. Lovely to contemplate. The Rackham image of at tree speaking to a person--isn't that how we plant lovers all sense at times?
ReplyDeleteYes - they're lovers, and we are also tree lovers, and if we're lucky our love is reciprocated. What this makes me think of is that in Melbourne they're currently removing lots of old trees to build a new underground railway. So sad.
DeleteAre they really random images? They seem connected: if the little ones are taught to love nature there is still hope.
ReplyDeleteI'm so pleased you found a pattern, Denise. I didn't consciously choose that particular collection of images, but of course they all spoke to me.
DeleteGreat series of images altogether, but my absolute favourite is of the adult with the youngster who has discovered an ant - and instead of gathering the child up and rushing him/her away - the adult bends over to enjoy the discovery with the child. Sometimes simple actions like this can be the foundation stone of a life committed to the enjoyment of the natural world. If I may impose on your time with a personal anecdote, I remember when I was perhaps eight years old being stung by an ant, and instead of being mad at the ant, or trying to crush it, it made me wonder how an ant could sting......and the rest as they say is history.
ReplyDeleteHi David, thanks for sharing that anecdote. Lack of fear and curiosity hopefully will set up this child - and all children - for a lifelong appreciation of the natural world.
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