A few weeks ago I couldn’t resist buying a little book of poetry from a book fair that I came across. The anthology is full of beautiful poems about…..birds. And each one is paired with a gorgeous illustration. The book is actually a collection of stunning avian art works that can all be found in The British Museum. It is therefore called The British Museum Birds and if you find a copy, I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do. 🙂
Anyway I thought it might be a nice idea to pair the poetry in the book with my own photographs on here occasionally. Though I am cheating a bit today as these pictures of a Little Egret were taken by my other half on our walk by the river Ribble on Saturday. I think its quite unusual to see egrets inland, but this one has been spotted here in Clitheroe a few times recently.
The illustration in the book is Egret On Willow In Snow , a hanging scroll painting on silk by Oda Kaisen ( 1785-1862).
Snow
In the gloom of whiteness,
In the great silence of snow,
A child was sighing
And bitterly saying : ‘ Oh,
They have killed a white bird up there on her nest,
The down is fluttering from her breast!’
And still it fell through that dusky brightness
On the child crying for the bird in the snow.
Edward Thomas ( 1878-1917)
Sorry the first poem I included is quite sad. But I hope you liked it anyway. X
sunshine and celandines 
Beautiful poem, Sharon. No need to apologise about the poem being sad, there is sadness all around. I will definitely look out for this book x
It is full of beautiful pictures Christine. I’m glad I found it. A sad poem and a serene looking bird. X
As you know I’m a dark poems kinda guy.
How lovely and what a great idea, thankfully Little Egrets are coming more and more common through out Yorkshire, beautiful bird. I might have that book… will have to have a look.
Amanda xx
They are indeed beautiful birds. I hope this one makes its home here. Maybe there is more than one. I hope so. The book is definitely worth a look for. 🙂
oh my, it is sad, but it looks a beautiful book.
A great idea to combine book with your photos. Sad is fine, nature is like that.
A sad poem but a lovely looking book. I hope ‘your’ egret lives a long and happy life.
I hope so. X
Very poignant! I love your photos too. Take care.
Very nice, egrets are becoming more common across the country.