Tag: Nature

5944. Midland Road (2)

Sophie Long, Midland Road, Bristol, March 2024
Sophie Long, Midland Road, Bristol, March 2024

It is always a real treat when artists who most usually paint commissions, festivals or in a studio decide to produce a stunning piece of public street art, and this fox by Sophie Long, is an absolute belter.

Sophie Long, Midland Road, Bristol, March 2024
Sophie Long, Midland Road, Bristol, March 2024

The piece is painted on a hoarding of a development plot that looks like it might be around for quite some time, and is becoming more popular with Bristol artists. Sophie long is well known for her portrayals of wild animals, and Bristol has a long association with urban foxes, so it was only a matter of time before she would create a beauty like this. This is a stunning piece that is there for all to enjoy – those with their eyes open, that is.

Race

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Bird feeder refilled

who will discover it first

squirrel or song bird?

.

by Scooj

Merlin Bird ID

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Bird song ID app

six birds in sixty seconds

garden paradise.

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by Scooj

I heard some sweet birdsong this morning while I was washing up, so I went into the garden with the app (Merlin Bird ID, which I cannot recommend highly enough) and within a minute I had recorded birdsong from six species:

Great tit, Wren, Wood-pigeon, Carrion crow, Blackcap and Magpie.

Magical.

Skimmia

Skimmia and bee, Bristol, March 2024
Skimmia and bee, Bristol, March 2024

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A midnight fragrance

when the nighttime air is still

and daytime nectar

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by Scooj

Biomass

Bivalves at Sand Bay, Somerset, March 2024
Bivalves at Sand Bay, Somerset, Marc

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A billion billion

buried in our sandy shores

bivalve biomass

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by Scooj

Small pleasures

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Sweet sibilant song

a robin busting a lung

pauses for replies

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by Scooj

5770. Hatherly Road

Carla James, Hatherly Road, Bristol, December 2023
Carla James, Hatherly Road, Bristol, December 2023

It has taken me an eternity to stop and photograph this stunning nature mural by Carla James, something that has been on my ‘to do’ list for a couple of years at least. I managed to walk up to the spot just before Christmas whilst seeking out some presents for my family. I have only seen Carla James’ work once before, and that was at Upfest 21. Curiously enough, one of the presents that I bought for my son was a beautiful fish print by another Upfest artist, Rosie McLay.

Carla James, Hatherly Road, Bristol, December 2023
Carla James, Hatherly Road, Bristol, December 2023

Carla James has created a beautiful vision in which there is a seamless transition from a tropical reef below to forest foliage and airborne creatures. There is a calmness and huge sense of the balance of nature in the piece, with some lovely illustrations of turtles, fish, plants and butterflies. The central hummingbird is the link between this piece and her outstanding Upfest mural. Carla James’ website is a treasure trove, and her biography explains the connection with tropical and exotic scenes. At last, one I can tick off my list.

Carla James, Exeter Road, Bristol, June 2021, Upfest 21
Carla James, Exeter Road, Bristol, June 2021, Upfest 21

Charming

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No small gathering

a tree-full of goldfinches

some two score or more

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by Scooj

Attitude

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Must do what we can

nature and climate crises

can do what we must

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by Scooj

5618. Exeter

None Here, Exeter, October 2023
None Here, Exeter, October 2023

Although Exeter doesn’t have quite the same volume of street/graffiti art on offer as Bristol, nor as many spots/locations, it does have one or two resident artists whose work can be found, if you keep your eyes open. One of these artists is None Here.

None Here, Exeter, October 2023
None Here, Exeter, October 2023

If you fins a street or area with street art bin Graffiti, it is highly likely to have a piece by None Here somewhere. His work is pretty much always nature-based, often featuring birds. His style is very recognisable, looking like illustrations, and I am not convinced they are painted using spray cans, but more likely paint brushes with sprayed backgrounds. This door is typical of the work I saw on my recent trip. I would say that None Here is the beating heart of the Exeter street art scene.