This vintage Ladybird nature book from 1966 was always present in my home when I was growing up, but it's only been this year that I sat down with it and looked at it properly. Looking turned to admiration at the stunning artwork within its covers, evoking a longing within me to don my wellie boots and go out nature spotting.
So that's exactly what I did. Using this book as my own 'I Spy' guide (remember those?), I captured autumnal images over a period of several weeks.
Our pre-Christian ancestors celebrated Autumn as the New Year, marking the end of the light half of the year and the beginning of the dark.
I have always loved getting out and about in nature, but this project made me really notice the little changes that happen as the seasons rotate, and appreciate everything from a hilltop scene changing colour to the arrival of a single mushroom.
As much as I adore Autumn and Winter I do suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, so it's really important that I get out in the daylight during these months as much as possible. Using What to Look for in Autumn reminds me that we are all natural creatures, and that by living more by the seasons and less by the clock, the television schedule and the demands of working life we can feel more in tune with nature and get more out of each season. As the adage goes,
"Those who never get outside cannot thrive."
I certainly feel much happier when I get outside and don't spend the entire week under electric lighting.
Wishing you a leaf-crunching Monday,
Hello lovely Anna! You have captured autumn beautifully! I adore the ladybird book. I too have made the effort this year to take some snaps of nature's changing pallette, and it does make one notice all the little changes along the way. I have a new found love for autumn! Thank you for sharing the beauty! Tania ♥
ReplyDeleteThank you for such a kind comment Tania! I feel all this nature photography is a by-product of blogging, but I never thought I would benefit so much from it! Enjoy your own Autumn adventures. x
DeleteAh what a delightful little book! I love it when books have a written inscription in the front like that, you really get the feeling the book was so special to that person. Like Tania says you captured autumn beautifully with your photos!
ReplyDeleteVictoria xx
Thank you Victoria, I love that Ladybird books have seen something of a revival and are now treasured again. If those illustrations are inspiring me to get out and enjoy nature fifty years after their publication then they are special indeed! x
DeleteI adore everything about this beautiful, seasonal, tranquilly lovely post. I lived in Ireland (ROI) for a couple of years and adored having blackberries down to the street to pick when fall hit - having grown up in Canada with no wild blackberries around (at least in the areas I'd lived before), it certainly was a beautiful treat.
ReplyDelete♥ Jessica
You're so lucky to have lived in Ireland, Jessica! I'm sure Canada looks equally stunning at this time of year, too. x
DeleteJust lovely. Autumn I such a time of year and every day brings a new scene. So good to get out and take it all in. Super photographs of a beautiful time, Hazel x
ReplyDeleteThank you Hazel, living in this country with its ever-changing seasons and odd weather means we can never say we're bored! x
DeleteWhat a delightful little book! your photos are beautiful and capture the autumn light beautifully. I love our seasons with Autumn and Winter being my favourite - the light quality is amazing and makes walks at this time of year almost magical.
ReplyDeleteWalks are magical, aren't they? So much to see on every walk and the air feels more refreshing.
DeleteAnna,
ReplyDeleteI loved this post! Such a sweet book and some great autumnal photos. So nice that this book came from your childhood too. You can bet I'll be scouring the shelves in my local charity shops for this book now... and the other titles as well.
Also wanted to say that I love the design makeover. Not sure when it's happened (as have been a very bad blog-reader lately) but wanted to say it really looks inviting!
x Elena @ Randomly Happy
Thank you Elena, I always find it amazing when I rediscover something that's been swimming around my life for a long time and realise it's a treasure. Thank you for the blog compliment too! x
DeleteDear Anna
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this post and all your lovely autumn images. I particularly like the changing colours of the leaves at this time of year, especially when there is a brilliant blue sky and the sun shining through the trees. I had 'What to look for in Spring' but am not sure where I have put it now. I'll have to go on a hunt for it.
Best wishes
Ellie
It seems there are a few of us now after the rest of the series, Ellie so if you find your copy hang onto it and enjoy it! I love the Autumn sunshine too, it's so much more appreciated when it doesn't appear all that often! x
DeleteWhat a lovely post, the illustrations in the Ladybirds books are wonderful aren't they? Eldest Bea and I have just had a lovely walk through our local park and the colours were stunning. A lovely sunny day here today, and your post was the icing on the cake! Ada :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Ada, perhaps all these stunning Autumn sights are nature's way of apologising for all the extra dark! x
DeleteWhat a wonderful idea. The book is lovely and you've really captured the spirit of Autumn in your photos.
ReplyDeleteThank you Rachel :) x
DeleteOh how lovely! What wonderful illustrations and great photos!
ReplyDeleteJo :-) x
adventuresandteaparties.blogspot.co.uk
Thanks Jo, I'm finding wielding a camera a little tricky when mittens start getting involved though! x
DeleteLovely pictures and the illustrations are beautiful too. Completely agree about needing to get outside and in the fresh air - I'm always itching to get outside at the weekend after five days in an office!
ReplyDeleteDo you think if I took a bin bag full of Autumn leaves into my work it would go down well?!
DeleteI recognised some of those locations Anna and I too have the same ladybird book along with the Spring version. Great photos. You didnt happen to spot any sloe berries whilst out and about did you. I would love to make some sloe gin and I know there are trees around out parts but cant remember where.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to find some sloe berries too, as sloe gin or sloe vodka has been on my 'to make' list for a long time. I'll keep a beady eye out!
DeleteBeautiful images! I especially love seeing your photographs of Beatrix :) I agree about having to get outside everyday, otherwise you feel tired and groggy which is never pleasant. It looks as though you have some lovely walks around you! xx
ReplyDeleteBeatrix used to position herself in front of the camera every time it appeared but I think she's so used to seeing it in my hand now that she's got bored, so photographing her is harder than it used to be! x
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