Thursday, January 21, 2010

crows

I'm quite fortunate to be able to find inspiration right out my back door... but sometimes all I have to do is look up from this screen, and I can catch something magical. The crows have been gathering and cawing each morning this week. The above photo was taken from my studio window, above my desk. I caught this single crow in our old chestnut tree and edited the photos together. I'm finding that I can't stop looking at it. I feel connected to each dual side that this crow represents: the quiet, mulling things over bird and the wild, leaping-out-of-branches bird. A carving or stencil is definitely brewing... Pin It

29 comments:

  1. how lovely, Maya ! I agree, sometimes inspiration is right at the door, not very far, just waiting for us ...
    these make me think of Karen (bluebee), don't you think ?
    xoxoxo big hugs !

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  2. Ah, lovely!

    I am a BIG fan of Crows, they are my favourite bird, and whenever I see them I have to stop and watch them for a time. How lucky that you have them so close!

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  3. Beautiful!
    we moved out into the French countryside a year ago and are fortunate to have a very large garden on the edge of the woods. Our garden is full of olive trees and BIRDS, everywhere, it's wonderful. Families of tits, jays and robins have become part of our daily life and our children love making little shelters food for them.

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  4. I love your blog - can't believe I've only just discovered it! I'll be spending endless hours here with cups of tea :)

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  5. The edited photo is very atmospheric. Beautiful shots.

    I can tell that you are going to do a beautiful carving/stencil from this. Can't wait to see it :-)

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  6. oh, yes, crows...they are magical, really. this photo is a great "tweaking" of reality, maya!

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  7. I have given you an award, look at my blog.

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  8. Both are powerful images! Great capture on each count. Crows are one of my fave birds to watch, esp when they're trying to shoo away a hawk from their nests.

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  9. I derive inspiration from these quirky beings as well...cannot wait to see what your " brewing " beholds...

    i posted photos of them on my black and white blog...little different locale...

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  10. I agree - I can't look away! There is something deep about the duality present...yet in such simplistic beauty.

    Beautiful work - can't wait to see what comes of it!

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  11. There is a stark aspect to the picture that is really captivating. I can't stop looking at it either, makes me wonder where the leap is going to take me.

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  12. I don't know why, but I love crows, too. The mythology, the cleverness, the shape of them, silhouetted against the sky, the black color, the boldness.

    And they're pretty.
    Great photo

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  13. I love how this photo floats into the background so the crows are flying across your site.

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  14. It's a great photo. Probably NOT a true chestnut tree but a Horsechestnut. You can remember eastern trees with opposite lvs as MADCAP HORSE as in Maple, Ash, Dogwood, Caprifoliaceae (honeysuckles and viburnums) and... Horsechestnet!

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  15. Thanks for receiving the crow so lovingly! Yes, you're right it's a horse chestnut. The chestnuts are not edible. It's also sometimes called a buckeye. It's my absolute favorite tree on our land... and possibly the oldest.

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  16. I can dig it! What a moment both made and captured. I love those birds.

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  17. I'm in love with crows, too, as you know. This collaged photo is amazing. It already looks like a stenciled image. Pure poetry.

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  18. most definitely. i too understand both sides of the solitary crow. should i stay or should i go now?

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  19. Hi,

    Just to let you know I have featured one of your inspiring creations on my blog. Hope you don't mind...


    http://charlottehupfieldceramics.blogspot.com/2010/01/inspirational-mood-boards.html

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  20. It's so funny that you mention crows because I am reading this new book right now that has forever changed how I view crows. ETERNAL ON THE WATER by Joseph Monninger. They are such wonderfully unusual creatures with their own grace and beauty.

    -Amy
    Crafting by Candlelight

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  21. I saw this poem posted in the subway today. I was thinking that even though it is a heartening message, that the image of the crow and hemlock tree was rather grim. But I think this photo of yours expresses it perfectly! What a coincidence.

    Dust of Snow

    by Robert Frost

    The way a crow
    Shook down on me
    The dust of snow
    From a hemlock tree
    Has given my heart
    A change of mood
    And saved some part
    Of a day I had rued.

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  22. Crow tend to stay around one area, they "get to know" the family they live by! They also love to keep shiny treasures for themselves, taking them back to their nests. I would LOVE to see some crow designs from you...I am a little partial, though, my maiden name is Crowe :)

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  23. lovely flowers, i m keep looking at mayaflorist for latest flowers pictures and following your ideas to implement them.

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