Caught My Eye is a series of blog posts showing scenes I found interesting, odd, curious or beautiful. Some curiosities that I capture inspire the Jewellery that I make. I am artistic and therefore an observer but I am not a photographer by any description. So if you expect top quality photography I'm afraid you will be disappointed. Please simply enjoy a snap-shot glimpse of the world through my eyes.
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| bog cotton, Clara bog boardwalk |
I was back in Offaly again last week and got a chance to go walking both at Clara bog nature reserve and the wetlands of Finnamore Lakes , Boora. The area is abundant in plant and wildlife. All these photos are my own.
I fess up I'm neither botanist nor bird watcher but I love getting out walking in the wilds and always take my camera with me. Something always catches my eye,often the smaller things like the heads of bog cotton (common cottongrass) poking up through the boardwalk at Clara nature reserve.
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| section of boardwalk at Clara Bog nature reserve
The boardwalk circuit is very short, so we went round twice before the clouds opened. If you are looking for a decent walk, go to Finnamore lakes or Lough Boora.
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| Finnamore Lakes reserve |
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| Geese at Finnamore Lakes reserve |
On the day we went, we didn't spot much wildlife other than a few swans and one rabbit hopping away from us. Let's not forget the little midges that nibbled at our faces when we passed through a small wooded copse! At the second lake we happened upon a family of geese. I took the shot quickly and got out of there fast as they can be vicious. In the midlands they say they are more effective than any guard dog, I will take their word for it.
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| bog daisy, Finnamore Lakes |
This bog daisy, which is bigger than your average garden daisy, is about the only thing that inspired me in terms of jewellery making. While the daisy shape is one of my favourites, the petals themselves are a familiar shape in gemstone bead cuts.
Irish seaglass pendant and Connemara marble ornament with flower motifs
WATCH THIS SPACE....
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| pink chalcedony petal beads (large) |
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| kyanite beads (medium) |
*****
Click here for Connemara marble earrings inspired by Irish bog heather
Click here for Bog oak at Boora - Caught my Eye
Click here for Inspirations from Irish boglands in Autumn
I really enjoy reading this series. Looking forward to seeing what you make with the chalcedony petals!
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