The secret life of bees (Part 2)

I find it strange to be posting photos tinged with damp grey, while the light outside is cascading in through my bedroom windows. Nevertheless, the golden tone sprinked over today does match the spring-like feeling of these images, which make up the second part of my bee-inspired behind the camera shoot. I saw Shona again the other day, and enquired as to whether she might be interested in modelling again for me sometime. Her response? "Only if it's warmer". I can second that, especially when I remember how much my fingers resembled ice blocks by the time we had finished.
I pondered for a while about another bee related title, and after discarding the notion of calling it 'Flight of the seven million bumblebees' in homage to Black Books (a fantastic British comedy - if you love Dylan Moran, make it a priority to watch), I settled on something a little more literary inspired. I really enjoyed Sue Monk Kidd's book 'The Secret Life of Bees', and now own a wonderfully battered copy that was given to me by Jill. This, along with an iD Beekeeper inspired shoot that I have just remembered, makes this a post that is black and yellow and striped all over.
I guess it's one of those slightly cliched things, but I think there is something a little romantic about the idea of having a beehive or two in an orchard - alongside some meandering chickens and a vegetable plot. A typical rural idyll I guess - doesn't really relate to my life in the countryside much. We do have a small allotment, but the only thing it is growing at the moment is weeds. However, my mum and I were talking to a good friend yesterday, who said that although bee numbers are meant to be dwindling, he has had a ridiculously large surge in his swarms - to the point that he has had to donate a swarm to a neighbour. Very hopeful!

Now, to one lone (and rather elegantly dressed) bumblebee - Shona.

In the first few photos, she is wearing an underskirt from a charity shop, layered over her own black leotard and my yellow tights. The little gold shrug used to live in my dressing up box, and the gold shoes are from ebay. The necklace and belt are both from charity shops. One again, I enlisted Shona's very handy ballet skills for the photos.

The second ensemble was created from a customised dress (it used to be a floaty skirt, that I then cut 'arm holes' into), a woolly vintage scarf and a Laura Ashley charity shopped striped hat. The belt was given to me, the shoes were from ebay and the jewellery is vintage. Oh & the gloves are another remnant left over from my dressing up box - because everyone needs a pair of sparkly gold evening gloves.

The third is a yellow poloneck from a charity shop, along with a vintage necklace and the same gloves.

Now, I'm sure the ginger cat pictured is the closest I'll find to the 'Cheshire Cat' from Alice in Wonderland. Either he craves human attention, or is publicity hungry - as he methodically followed Shona and I all over the sprawling arboretum that I'd chosen as our location. Sometimes it was a case of running to one spot, quickly snapping some photos before the cat could catch up, and then moving on. Well Cheshire Cat, if you wanted some internet exposure, then here you go.

My first GCSE exam is tomorrow, so from now on the blog might be a little less active. Hopefully all the revision will pay off, and come the middle of June, I can start living again - although maybe with a few days for rest and recuperation first. I am looking forward to finishing highschool and heading off in the next phase of my education to a dynamic sixthform.

The secret life of bees (Part 2) 2011-05-09T10:54:00-07:00 Rating: 4.5 Diposkan Oleh: Unknown