orchards in spring – new faces

Down a country lane in Kent, there was some movement beyond a hedge . .

. . these two watched me closely and, with reason, as their friend had someone young to protect.

In the next orchard, a flock without lambs. Apparently these are Soay, a breed with dished faces.

Remember doing a project a long time ago on my Post Grad course that was based on sheep and classicism and it worked very well. Of course, I can’t unearth the drawings and plans now but recall that the Henry Moore drawings of sheep were hugely influential . . .

. . . also this by Samuel Palmer . .

. . . also ‘The Lammas Hireling’ by Ian Duhig.

Peering through hedgerows is an occupational joy . . .

In this old commercial orchard, ancient fruit trees sprawl like elegant corpses before the roots are grubbed out. .

. . .  to be replaced by young trees looking like fresh new recruits standing to attention on the parade ground.

Peering through the twisted and gnarled branches of pollarded limes into a domestic orchard, more naturalistic in style and carpeted with wild flowers . . contrived but with charm . . .

. . . primroses, snakeshead fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris) and wood anemone form a tapestry. More to come with orchards later in the year. . . .