Sometimes it takes me a long time to reach the allotment. I set off with great purpose, shouldering a big bag of vegetable waste for the the compost heap. It is only a short hike across the field, although after rain it can be treacherously slithery, thus requiring due care and attention to avoid all outbreaks of undignified slippage. And then there are the distractions. And if I happen to have a camera in my pocket: well then, gardening must wait.
So that’s what happened when I spotted these apples that someone had slung over their hedge in the autumn. During the winter the blackbirds had nibbled the insides so neatly that only the skins remained. Not only that, the delicate apple ‘shells’ had now accrued quite new and surprising properties. Lying scattered in downtrodden grass and browning leaves, they were now capturing and emitting that too rare glow of winter sunshine. Thank you, blackbirds. A fine light show.
copyright 2018 Tish Farrell
Tish Farrell 
Ah, such delightful distractions. 🙂
Absolutely, Ann 🙂
Art created by nature!
I hear you about distractions: just this week, two of my morning runs were interspersed with squatting & peering because I found interesting things to photograph … the joy of being sidetracked by nature’s wonders!
More power to our side-tracking. It’s so enriching, isn’t it 🙂
Absolutely! I think these extra adventures are sometimes better than the original plan!
They often are 🙂
I only have to walk up the garden to my veggies and I get distracted all the time!
Well we see the fruits of you distraction – fine bird and spider crops.
Of course we have to “look ” to find these surprises.
Certainly we do, Beverly 🙂
Clever blackbirds – and you for finding their ‘work’. 🙂
Thanks, Val 🙂
You ought to get a prize for long and intriguing titles. 🙂 🙂 Happy Easter, hon! Wishing you good gardening weather.
Happy Easter back, dear chum. But unless your wishes include magic spells – and I wouldn’t rule that out, knowing you – I think we’re out of luck with the gardening weather in our neck of the woods – rain and more rain for the next week. What’s a person to do with their sprouting onion sets?
Wishing you a blessed Easter, Tish. 🙂
And to you and yours dear, Celestine 🙂
I agree that gardening must wait when you discover such a lightshow…and other ‘inventions’ by nature. I think I would never get to the allotment 🙂
Sometimes I nearly don’t 🙂 At the moment it’s all a bit dank and dismal, though have managed to turn some of my compost heaps. Not such a pleasing up-close-and-personal experience as the apples.
Very well spotted, almost like poppies and the garden can certainly wait.
I love this post!
Many thanks, Ali 🙂
All that rich colour as lasted through the winter!
Suspended animation I should think – and it was last winter!
A poetic take on nature’s recycling cycle. I am impressed by your images and wording. Thank you, Tish 🙂
Thank you, Paula, and as ever, for providing us with excellent prompts and photographs to inspire us 🙂
An ultimate in natural restoration 🙂
🙂