JOY FILLED JOTTINGS!

Hoping you're enjoying the summer so far.

I’ve seen writings about the recent solstice and this being the peak of the year for nature. Gently slowing, declining activity and sliding towards winter. I disagree – there’s too much year left to be lived by all things.

It did make me think about what does force a pause tough. Encounters with wildlife stop us in our tracks.

My recent highlight is the daylight sightings of foxes. One was only a fleeting glimpse crossing the road in front of us on an early morning (pre 5am) drive and the other a full-on ‘stop-you-in-your-tracks’ encounter on a day out at Kew Gardens. It felt like my jaw hit the ground and along with others ambling along the lakeside we stopped in our tracks and gawped.

We kept a healthy distance, and I have no idea if vixen or dog; I call them all Reynard. I was so absorbed in his movements and behaviour I have just a few mediocre photos of the whole episode. The memory of that few minutes where we all simply stopped is gold. I am always harping on about never seeing foxes in our home village and there Reynard was in London’s Kew gardens!

It was unexpected. Joyful.

Until someone approached and fed him (crisps ☹ - honestly). Then we noticed he had a slight limp as well. The good staff of Kew assured us they do keep an eye of the wildlife and involve wildlife charities if necessary; it is a place they can come and go though some appear to be residents alongside a healthy number of badgers in twenty or so setts – it’s a place I’d love to hunker down after dark and observe the comings and goings of the animals there.

Here’s Reynard:

He’s rangier and stragglier than either of my foxy paintings to date – what do you think?

​https://www.debm-webbart.com/shop/p/fox-places-to-be-print​

Makes me think about urban wildlife and depicting them living alongside us; it’s the way of things now and their resilience needs celebrating.

I love to read about wildlife encounters – hit reply and let me know what joyful sightings you’ve had recently.

Until next time,
Warmest Regards
Deb