Pete’s Dragon as I’ve dubbed it, is in a photo recently posted on Pete Hillman’s blog; the dragon appears in the moving water of a weir, in a canal in Staffordshire, UK. In his blog Pete discusses the different forms that he can see in the moving water and one of the things he can see is a “Snow Dragon”:
“I see the rippling spine of a soaring Snow Dragon as it swoops and glides by.”
After looking at the photo I could see the other forms he’d mentioned but couldn’t see the Snow Dragon. Hours later I re-checked and this time I saw it straight away! Can you?
The Snow Dragon has cast its spell – I’d love to try and do something creative based on this beautiful, magical creature – a drawing or painting, a poem … perhaps a short story?
Thing is, I’m not much of an artist or poet. So I’m inviting anyone who feels inspired, to do something creative about the Snow Dragon and publish it on your blog (and then please return here and put a link to your post in the Comment area below). I don’t know if any of you will take up the challenge – but I’d love it if you do!
If I receive responses I’ll share the links in a more prominent place, say from the top Menu or from the Sidebar. Cheers, Liz
Photo taken by Pete Hillman, November 2016
– Click on photo to enlarge –
From: Ghosts In The Weir | 29 June 2018
Blog: Pete Hillman’s Nature Photography
NB: if you need a clue to help find the Snow Dragon, as of 07 July I’ve created a Snow Dragon link on the Menu at the top of my blog or click on this Snow Dragon link (which takes you to the same page)
Text by Liz; Exploring Colour (2018). Photo used with permission of Pete Hillman
What a brilliant challenge Liz. Thank you so much for inspiring us to get creative and thanks also to Pete for his amazing photograph. Your own Ode was a pure delight and I loved how your incorporated the letters of the Snow Dragon into each opening line. And those last two lines were so dreamy. Bravo!!!
I called mine Dreams and Dragons…
https://wordpress.com/post/deuxiemepeau.blog/10627
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The last two lines of the Ode were what kept me up into the wee hours! Dreams and Dragons is such a magic title and I was surely transported into glorious lands of mystery and magic when I read your poem and imbibed the detail of your pastel sketch! Wow! Dami, this is really crazy but I’m giving a talk at an art gallery on Sunday about Colour and about my blog. I’m going to structure it in terms of my “journey” and you’re very much part of my journey! I wish to read aloud some of your poems, probably “Hunger is not a Harbour” and “Dreams and Dragons”, and if I sense audience engagement possibly some more of my favourites eg. “Look for me in the layers lost…” Do let me know if you’re fine about this please!
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NB: if anyone reading these comments wants to find the fantastic “Dreams and Dragons” poem (a must-read!) this link will take you there if the above one doesn’t: https://deuxiemepeau.blog/2018/07/09/dreams-and-dragons/
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I have just seen your wonderful page and magnificent drawing of the Snow Dragon! The page doesn’t have comments enabled so I am commenting here 🙂 It is wonderful how you see it and are getting others so inspired. Along with your brilliant ‘Ode To The Snow Dragon’ I have just read the fantastical ‘Flight of The Snow Dragon’ by Candice! You have certainly made my day again here Liz, thank you so very much! 🙂 🙂
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Isn’t it amazing that we can all gain so much joy from a photo you took back in 2016 – I’m so glad you did your post! I was delighted that you’d already seen Candice’s poem, its a brilliant poem! And your kind words about the drawing are very welcome – that was a challenge and a half!!!
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I have to say Liz, I am overjoyed from your response and that of Candice, and I am indeed amazed how a two year old photo can stimulate the imagination. Through you the Snow Dragon has been freed and is finally breathing a life of it very own! I am equally amazed at how we see it in such a very similar way, large and in passing in the foreground!!! Have a lovely weekend!
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Beautifully said Pete and it IS breathing a life of its very own isn’t it – so exciting! Thank you, and you have a lovely weekend too!
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🙂
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Hi Liz. Here’s the link to my poem, Flight of the Snow Dragon: https://thismademesmiletoday.wordpress.com/2018/07/07/flight-of-the-snow-dragon/
I sweated over this one.My usual subject matter doesn’t include fantasy, so this was extra hard to write, and I’m not totally satisfied with the result.
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Hi Candice, just realised that I hadn’t come back here to reply even though I’d left an appreciative comment at your site. Very remiss of me and you know how much I LOVED your beautiful poem and thanks so much for joining us in our creative efforts. We’ve all really pushed the boundaries! My blogging friend Damien has just published an exquisite poem and picture for this challenge (I’d also given him the heads-up that the dragon challenge was coming). Please take a look as I’m sure you’ll love it! At https://deuxiemepeau.blog/2018/07/09/dreams-and-dragons/
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Thanks for posting Damien’s link. What wonderful words and images have come from your challenge, and Pete’s photo.
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Yes, its really awesome Candice! I’m just so grateful for everyone’s participation!
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I am blind, Liz, help me see, please!
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Tanja! Thanks for looking. I’m going to try and get something online that shows where the snow dragon is in the photo. I’ve utterly failed so far to help Nigel see the dragon! Clues: the dragon is heading from left-to-right, its face is surging down toward the right-bottom corner – its eye is what gives it away! Its snout is disappearing into the white-water. Behind the face you can see part of its back (the rest disappears out of frame). If you look carefully you can see the ridges of its spine. The dragon is on an angle as it surges over the wave (like a yacht that heels over in the wind).
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Hi Tanja! I’ve added Snow Dragon to the top menu on my blog-site. Click on that to get a page about the Snow Dragon and how to find it. Hope this helps!
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Thank you, Liz. Your drawing definitely helped. I guess I am visually slow when it comes to discerning dragons diving into water. 🙂
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Glad the drawing helped Tanja! Thanks for putting in the effort!
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What an amazing photo. I can see the spine! I will be back!
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Looking forward to your return Dami 🙂
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Quick note Dami to let you know I’ve added Snow Dragon to the top menu on my blog-site. Clicking on it displays my new Snow Dragon page!
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Thanks for the link Liz. I love Pete’s photos and am now following his blog. Jane
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Fabulous! Thanks for letting me know, awesome!
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I will try a poem on this theme, but it’ll take time, so won’t leave a link here, for now.
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Good things take time, I didn’t anticipate immediate links. Actually I worked on a poem for this last night and didn’t finish till about 1.30am (nigel was away). I challenged myself to go beyond haiku and it was tough going. I’m so happy you’ll have a crack at this Candice!
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Thank you for your wonderful words and post, Liz! 🙂
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My pleasure! I’ve written a poem last night, eventually took me to 1.30am, will publish in my next post. It was hard going but satisfying in the end. I took such a shine to your dragon. I don’t have a particular affinity or bond with any individual creature so perhaps the Snow Dragon has become my ‘totem’. The invitation to publish a creative work extends to you, the photographer; as creator your contribution would be especially welcome 🙂
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I will greatly look forward to your poem, Liz! I am trully moved that you have been so taken with the ‘Snow Dragon’, and have been inspired so!
I will have a think about it, thank you, Liz 🙂
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I have indeed embraced the beautiful Snow Dragon and taken it to heart Pete 🙂
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