Three Bandits Spotted

October 19, 2010October 20, 2010 / Terrill Welch / 12 Comments

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These three bandits were spotted on the southwest side of Mayne Island on Sunday. It appears to be a mother and her two offspring but this has yet to been confirmed. Eye witnesses state that the three were relaxed and showed no signs of agitation. No looting was evident at the scene. Nothing much in particular seemed to be amiss as the three masked characters strolled away into the trees.

Sprout question: Are there any creative bandits in you midst?

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Creative Potager – where imagination rules. Be inspired.

From Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada

Going to the Birds

October 12, 2010November 6, 2010 / Terrill Welch / 16 Comments

Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend on Mayne Island was beautiful. So I thought you might like to come with me to one of Creative Potager’s favourite beaches at Reef Bay. Wear your sneakers. It can be slippery. The tide is coming in fast. We might get wet.

There it is. Still here even though we have been away for weeks.

Look way out to the end. See where those seagulls and other shorebirds are? That is where we are going. Make sure your hands are free so you can balance. And watch your step… there are some big cracks between the rocks – wouldn’t want to lose you in one.

Remember the tide is coming in so keep your eyes open to ensure we can get back to shore… without swimming.

Ahhhhh, so beautiful. Water reflecting the world around it.

Oh, look! There is a family enjoying the beach too.

Now where were we. Yes, the birds. Let’s see if we can get just a bit closer.

I don’t know much about shorebirds other than there are all sorts of different kinds of seagulls and those black fellows in the foreground with the long bright red beaks are black oystercatchers.

If we crouch down maybe we can get just a wee bit closer and have a good look around. Oops! Be careful. Here comes a gull in for a landing.

This gull in front is such a show off. It is like he is saying “look at me.”

The little birds behind him sitting with the other gulls are black turnstones which are unmistakable when they fly. I call the zebra birds. They are fast and hard to capture.

Here goes a lovely gull overhead.

I am fascinated by the repeating shape of the bird and the neck of land. It is like seeing an echo. Away it goes… wait a minute what do we have here?

Seven eight lay them straight. ..

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Oh No! One mighty squawk is all it took!

Look at them go!

Well, I guess we better start pecking our way back to shore. Should only take a short while. Ah yes, dry land ahead.

Are your shoes still dry? No skinned knees? Good! You were lucky.

Sprout question: Have you ever let your creativity go to the birds?

SEA, LAND AND TIME MAYNE ISLAND calendars . For a week at redbubble, until 11:00 pm Thursday, October 14^th London time, there is a promotional sale. Get three calendars for 15% off or six for 25% off. Retailers can contact me directly to order at wholesale price for more than ten calendars.

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Purchase photography at http://www.redbubble.com/people/terrillwelch

Creative Potager – where imagination rules. Be inspired.

From Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada

A Fall Day on Mayne Island

October 6, 2010 / Terrill Welch / 12 Comments

It occurred to us as we were eating lunch that it might be sinful not to take a long leisurely walk in the warmth of this most glorious fall day.

I am always fascinated by the ribbons of blues that stack up like exotic candy layers as I look out to the meeting of sea and sky. I drift and dream on the waves as the seagulls squawk and fish from the rocks. Mount Baker is almost visible in the haze of the far shore – if you know it is there. I sense that it is time to move on.

I flatten body-to-earth on a sunny knoll next to the deep cool shadows of maple trees as they undress, dropping one crunchy brown leaf after another. We do not get much colour here on Mayne Island in the fall.

Mostly things turn brown and drift downward, sometimes holding themselves up as if to say “no, not yet! I’m not quite ready yet.” But the rains will come, silencing their whispers. These large brown leaves will be mulched into the earth to feed the first sprouts of spring.

Sprout Question: What are you letting go of to sprout new creativity?

Important: If you want gift cards, calendars, photographic prints before Christmas, October is the time to place your order at http://www.redbubble.com/people/terrillwelch. Original oil paintings can be purchased directly from me by sending an emailing to tawelch@shaw.ca .

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Purchase photography at http://www.redbubble.com/people/terrillwelch

Creative Potager – where imagination rules. Be inspired.

From Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada

Down the Road a Way

September 29, 2010September 29, 2010 / Terrill Welch / 12 Comments

Down the road a way there is a farm.

It was established in 1872 just a year after British Columbia joined the Canadian Confederation. Around here it’s known as Punch’s place. I hear tell that he sold it a bit back on the condition that he could stay on and live out the rest of his life on the place.

I’ve always admired the spot myself. The new owners have put up a real fine fence but it really didn’t seem to change things much. Saved a few apples from the deer is all.

The new gate is right pretty as well.

We was walking so as to really get a good look at things.

On a way past Punch’s these mail boxes popped up and we almost fell sideways across the centre line from laughing. No one puts mail in them. They’re just for show.

About this time, we decided to go all the way to the public boat launch.

Caught sight of a rooster trying to get through the fence. Ah, I’m just kidding. It’s not a real bird.

Seems like there must have been an agreement awhile ago

to keep the same old fence right on down to the sea.

When we looked across at the calm, sure didn’t feel like leaving.

But we did.

Saw a sign about not peeking.

Nothing can anyone do about walking on the road though. It is public property all the way to the other side of the ditch. Some ditches are just wider than others is all. Not that we stepped across a wide ditch or anything… just saying.

The road was even nicer on the walk back. Best part is it was down hill a little right back to where we parked the truck.

Sprout Question: Whose voice shows up in your creative work?

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Creative Potager – where imagination rules. Be inspired.

From Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada

Going to the Beach House

September 23, 2010September 23, 2010 / Terrill Welch / 36 Comments

If there was ever a house that fulfilled all the requirements of a beach house it is this one. It is not my beach house. I only borrow it when I walk along this particular beach. I fear that, during a winter storm, a high tide will take it out to sea. But each time I return, the beach house is still there, as if taunting its precarious position along the eroding shoreline.

I sometimes imagine the vacation drama of the residents. Maybe they have had a squabble and he comes and sits in a chair on the porch, brooding over his hurts, with his smoldering heavy-lidded eyes gazing out to sea. Or maybe a fine meal of crab from their crab nets has been savoured and they bring their guests out on the porch as the sun sets, swirling and sipping deep red wine, in over large glasses. Then she offers to make fresh ground dark roast coffee to go with a blackberry crumb and homemade ice-cream. The spell breaks. The guests realized they have become chilled in the evening air. One by one they retreat again, into the warmth of the spacious beach house.

I like to admire this dwelling from the public sands, making up these stories fitting for such a splendid beach house. My musings, as I map these scenarios, feel just a little like trespassing through a church yard. It is public space but I know I am walking on sacred ground.

Sprout Question: What stories are amusing you?

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Creative Potager – where imagination rules. Be inspired.

From Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada

Taking photos of the moon

September 21, 2010 / Terrill Welch / 10 Comments

I dreamt I was taking photographs of the moon last night. But when I awoke, this is the image I was musing about.

It is the late evening flight of a great blue heron to its fishing hole where there is still a slight shine on the water.

I thought of this image rather than this one of the moon over Georgeson Island I took a little over a years ago.

Or this one of the moon at the waters edge.

I have always been a low-light or fall and winter photographer. Having extremely light sensitive eyes, it is in this light that my eyes are most relaxed – and my being is most receptive to what is going on around me. Still, I haven’t spent a lot of time setting up to shoot at night. Yes, setting up is required because a tripod is almost an essential. I did take these moonlight photographs without one – it is not recommended.

Every night

the owl

with his wild monkey-face

calls through the black branches,

and the mice freeze

in the snowy fields —

and then there is the long, deep trough of silence

when he stops singing, and steps

into the air.

From “Lonely, White Fields” by Mary Oliver

Sprout Question: Do you create using both your day and your night experiences?

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Creative Potager – where imagination rules. Be inspired.

From Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada

Saying Hello

September 17, 2010September 17, 2010 / Terrill Welch / 23 Comments

I spied their lushes yellow in the afternoon sun. Like a bee to nectar, I made my way over to their small brilliant blooms. I started to shoot, carefully framing, pausing and framing again. Wait a minute. Who is this? Ah, a beautiful moth has come by to say “hello.”

He seemed to be reciting to me…

If these black sleeves

Of my priestly robe

Were ample enough,

Oh, how I would envelope

All the people in need!

By Ryokan (1758 – 1831)

Sprout Question: When we create are we a creator or simply a temporary custodian?

The best of Friday and the weekend to you! I will back again on Monday with another week of short posts to keep you inspired, engaged and being with your creativity.

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Creative Potager – where imagination rules. Be inspired.

From Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada

The Sustaining Rosehip

September 16, 2010 / Terrill Welch / 6 Comments

The last few posts here on Creative Potager have been about the end of life – a necessary reflection in our creative and life journey, but not a place to dwell.

Today I want to shift us towards sustaining. What sustains us until the time of renewal? In the seasons the time of renewal is spring. The rosehip has always been a sustaining symbol and resource for me through fall and winter. When I was young, we were told we could eat rosehips if we got lost in the woods. My mother made apple-rosehip butter for a special treat on our hot porridge or toast. While playing outside, we would peel the rosehip skin off and nibble it sometimes pretending we were eating a piece of the sun, leaving the pithy insides for the mice and birds.

The nutritional and health attributes of rosehips are well known. They are used to make teas for the immune system and oils for the skin – just to name a few ways it is employed. So, when I see rosehips, I am filled with a “we can do it” attitude. I almost always smile and I sometimes laugh aloud when I see them. I feel hopeful. I feel able to reach into my stored reserves and snatch a piece of possibility right off one of those thorny branches.

Sprout Question: What sustains your creativity until a time of renewal?

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Creative Potager – where imagination rules. Be inspired.

From Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada

Abandoned at Reef Bay

September 15, 2010September 15, 2010 / Terrill Welch / 10 Comments

The sun, cool air and rolling mist found us out on shore of Reef Bay yesterday afternoon. The view defies my ability to find words.

Mesmerizing.

Then I almost trip over this little fellow.

The seal pup has been abandoned by its mother or at the very least she had left it to rest. It eyes and nose were running and it can hardly move. Usually these animals will be in the sea before I can take a photo but this little one didn’t want to leave the shore. I backed away and observed it for awhile. When we get home I find the number for the Wildlife rescue. There is a chance they can rescue the pup so back I go to the site with my cell phone. This time I think the pup is already dead as it didn’t move when I approached. But finally it lifted its head and looked around when I was almost on top of it. But it did not seem to be doing very well. The staff from the wildlife rescue called to confirm with me that the seal was still there. A rescue team was dispatched. By now it was getting dusk and had been hours since I had first discovered the baby seal. I sat and watched a good distance away from the pup so as not to disturb it while it rested. Then, with no warning, it made a few weak bleating sounds, scrambled across twenty feet of shore rock, slipped into the water and swam out to sea. I lost sight of it in the dusk. We called the rescue off. I like to think that its mother called it. I like to think that it will survive. This is not likely.

Life and death are but a breath apart.

Sprout Question: Where is your creative breath taking you today?

Note: never touch or try to rescue a seal pup unless you are an experienced professional. Sometimes their mothers leave them to rest on shore while they feed and if you touch them or move them they may become separated when there is no need. If you see what appears to be an abandoned seal pup move as far away as possible (50 feet is recommended) and observe. If it is obviously in distress contact your local wildlife rescue centre for assistance. DO NOT try to rescue it yourself. Even a sick baby seal has a wicked bite.

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Creative Potager – where imagination rules. Be inspired.

From Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada

Harbor seal pup released at Ocean Shores (seattletimes.nwsource.com)

Beauty in Death

September 10, 2010 / Terrill Welch / 13 Comments

“Spirit always stands still long enough for the photographer It has chosen.” Minor White

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The arbutus leaves have died from drought not because it is fall. Arbutus leaves stay green all year except for those that are lost from the heat of summer. These leaves remind me of words from those left behind: “She looks so beautiful now that death has released the pain of disease from her face.”

Sprout Question: Where have you witnessed beauty in death?

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Creative Potager – where imagination rules. Be inspired.

From Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada