Wednesday 29 January 2014

The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden (January)


Fleur Fisher, in her post about The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady at the end of December got me thinking.

I've loved this unique and inspiring book since I found my copy of it in a second-hand shop years ago.  When the girls were little we used to frequently head out with our sketchbooks to try to capture little items in nature - twigs, snowflakes, squirrel nests, flowers.  The impetus for these outings came from Edith Holden and our love of her delicate, intimate nature journal.  We would settle down on a blanket in a field or in the back garden or beside a mountain trail and try to capture on paper a little piece of the natural world.



If I were of an artistic bent I would get out the watercolours.  Alas... these days I have accepted my lack of abilities in that vane and the watercolours remain (thankfully) tucked away - but I do love photography.  I have decided to read along month-by-month in the Country Diary and find inspiration for seeking out the beauty in nature in my own corner of the world.  All the photos I will post will be my own, inspired in some way by this beautiful book.

Coyote beside the road on the edge of town.
Hoar frost at my front door.
We call these "Magic Rowan Berries"

Prairie dog on high alert
Hoar frost in the neighbour's garden.

6 comments:

  1. Those are absolutely beautiful photographs. You have some stunning wildlife in your area!

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    1. Thanks, Samantha!

      In the interest of full disclosure, I should probably mention that the prairie dog (Richardson Ground Squirrel) was photographed at its outdoor zoo enclosure. I think all the ones in their natural habitats are asleep underground.

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  2. What lovely photos - so atmospheric! The beries are glorious!

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  3. I find that like yourself it is books like this that I go back over the years, sometimes after long intervals. I second the comment about the photography being outstanding. I love the prairie dog picture, regardless as to where it was taken.

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    1. It's what makes getting rid of books so difficult, isn't it? And why the bookshelves are always groaning... Some books are treasures, and this is definitely one. Thanks for the compliment, Brian.

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