A Sparkle Jar: Photo Gallery.

"Conversation is but carving, give no more to any guest, then he is able to digest "

So wrote Jonathan Swift ( 1667 -1745 ).

I think you will agree, although a memorable quote, it is not the usual fare a mother  gives to a young youth, but in a curious way, it describes the singular person Chris Packham, who finds social intercourse with people difficult and instead uses all his energies in the detailed study of all creatures, big and small.

This is Chris's wonderful book " Fingers in The Sparkle Jar. " Note the intricate cover with its bird motif and sun peeping through. This is so typical of the care that Chris takes with all his work.

There are no photos within the text, yet the eloquent and rich imagery allows the reader in see in the mind's eye a Kestrel swooping; a fish darting and insects swarming. Everything is precise and truthful and what he sees; when he sees it; is recorded.

Here is an example of his writing:

" Saw the scarf of the otter, bend back, a twist of elemental spooling of brilliant fizz and then its head rise, the arch flex in the river, furling down  in a thrill of fluid motion, giddy zip and coils of tail in a whirl, a twirl of two, both slurping onto the path a sip and a yip and ebbing splashlessly into the pool to sweep away, porpoising arcs in the out-stream warping them into the crouch of the big willows, quiet on the reedy shore."

What wonderful prose !. It will not come as a surprise to learn that in a recent viewers poll, Chris's book was voted best Natural History book, beating the renowned "Tarka The Otter " into second place.

Chris has shown wonderful efforts in achieving a higher degree of personal interaction. He was formally a presenter in the BAFTA winning children's programme " The Really Wild Show. " Here is a snippet from the first programme:


REALLY WILD

Recently he has been a co- presenter on BBC's "Winter Watch "  where his exceptional knowledge of avian matters really shone out.

I cannot recommend the above book highly; it certainly is a  5 ***** work of beauty.

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Here are some photoscapes for you :

Two Sunsets from K.

These two shots were taken

from the back of the Gloucester

Motorway Service Station.

Who knew?

Three Snowdrop selections

from Coombe Park.

Final photo comes from the 

Meeting Room at

Coombe Park.

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Well we are nearly done with February; but befitting  as it is the Chinese Year of the Dog , this creature  has some late February barking to do!

To wit a cold week ahead  with possible snow and ice to see out the month. Brrr. 

So stay warm and binge those television series boxes.

WiFi for now,

Ck.