On Thursday afternoon last week...
...Laurie and I were surprised that we did not notice this Echidna until we were only about three metres away. It was very preoccupied fossicking for ants in the gravel mulch of the nearby garden. We were down-wind and stood quite still for a few minutes watching this wonderful example of Australian wildlife going quietly about its business.
The warm summer weather has brought on the flowering of the Moonah Melaleuca lanceolata trees and shrubs. Those in the photo above are by a beach carpark and exposed to prevailing winds. As a result they are only a couple of metres tall. In sheltered areas by the creek even newly-planted ones reach four metres and more. I had been watching these blossoms and thinking to use them as an ikebana subject.
A couple of days ago I made this vertical ikebana in a suiban. I was very interested in the tallest stem that has a lovely S-bend curving line. When I put that branch in place it reminded me of the traditional Seika ikebana form. It is so interesting to realise that traditional naturalistic ikebana reveals forms that occur naturally. I remember my first teacher pointing out that the ikebana masters of the past were great observers of nature.
To make it clear that I was making a Sogetu School ikebana I added a single supporting line to the right of the first line; thus creating a space between the two lines that more or less follows the curves. In this instance, once I had placed the main stems, I did additional trimming to emphasise the lines and the space. Then, to create a contrasting focal point, I added a single stem of Red Valerian Valeriana ruber. If I have an opportunity to re-photograph this material I will use a black backdrop to emphasise the white of the Moonah flowers.
Greetings from Christopher,
who has been busy this weekend entertaining his cousin from Darwin. My cousin travelled 3,124 kilometres to attend a family celebration.
12th January 2025
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