
The weather here in Creuse, France has been very unsettled. There has been a lot of rain and overcast days, distant rumbles of thunder, with the odd warm and sunny day thrown in! Due to the lack of regular sunlight, photography from the hide has been slightly hindered. However, the landscape has become very much greener; wild flowers are blooming, butterflies have appeared and nature continues to grow through its spring cycle.
When I have been able to sit in the hide it has become very noticeable how peaceful it makes me feel. The last few years have been exceptionally stressful - a story I will tell in future blogs - but nature has regularly come to the rescue and enabled me to sustain my mental and physical health in the face of some major life challenges. While gazing through the windows of the hide, it seems the more you concentrate, the more you become aware of. The changing quality of light as the clouds pass above; the way the breezes move through the trees and plants; the ebb and flow of different sounds - all drawing my attention away from personal worries and restoring a balanced perspective.
I have been joined in the orchard by a choir of chirping grasshoppers. It amuses me how the sun seems to act as a volume switch: when the sun goes behind a cloud the sound subsides, but when it reappears the grasshoppers reach a crescendo. It makes for quite a performance, reminding me of tropical climates, and although it can be noisy, I do not find it intrusive.

The birds continue to come to the perches and I now have a male and female Great-spotted Woodpecker arriving on a regular basis. I always know when they are around because they call out, as if announcing their arrival. I am hoping to see the whole family together once the youngsters have fledged. Other visitors to the orchard include Cirl Buntings, Great Tits, Robin, Mistle Thrush and Wren. On my last visit, as I walked home I saw Stonechats, Woodlarks and a Red Kite that flew low, right above my head.
I have been told that Hoopoes are often seen in these parts at this time of the year. I feel sure that I have heard their call, but have never seen one and would be absolutely delighted if one were to appear in the orchard. The Hoopoe likes large grassy areas and is often seen on the ground probing for food with its long beak, which makes the orchard an ideal place for a visit. It is difficult to describe that moment when you see wildlife that you have not seen before, it is almost like an adrenalin rush, the excitement just sweeps through you and they are moments that you just do not forget.

Aside from taking photographs, I have been building a brand new website with an online store that sells a variety of products with my images printed on them. I am excited to announce that it is now up and running, although I am still adding to it and tweaking the contents. So, head on over to www.andyjennerphotography.com and check it out. There is something for everyone, including prints, canvasses, phone covers, tote bags and cushions.
Commentaires