sue_p32
The Jackdaw and the Sweep 1.
The Jackdaw ( Corvus monedula) loves to build its nest in a chimney. The structure is quite intricate and substantial and can cause many problems for the both the householder and the chimney sweep who is called in to deal with the obstruction.
This week’s theme of birds wasn't really on my mind as I mingled with the crowd at the Sweep’s Festival in the city of Rochester [Medway, England] on May Bank Holiday Monday. The festival is a fusion of many May Day customs, including the historical annual holiday for chimney sweeps. To conclude 3 days of morris dancing, folk music, an artisan produce market and a traditional fun-fair, the ‘chimney sweeps’ lead a colourful noisy parade through the old high street to the castle gardens. I watched the parade, photographing the characters and their costumes. Then I noticed one sweep with a 'bird' perched on his hat, and hoped that I had my shot for this week's challenge. When I reviewed the day’s photographs later I noticed that the 'bird' appeared in several earlier pictures, and turned to the internet to seek out the reason why this might be.
You can read one modern sweep’s account of the habits of the jackdaw here
www.sweepover.co.uk/2014/02/bird-nests-in-chimneys/
The Jackdaw and the Sweep 1.
The Jackdaw ( Corvus monedula) loves to build its nest in a chimney. The structure is quite intricate and substantial and can cause many problems for the both the householder and the chimney sweep who is called in to deal with the obstruction.
This week’s theme of birds wasn't really on my mind as I mingled with the crowd at the Sweep’s Festival in the city of Rochester [Medway, England] on May Bank Holiday Monday. The festival is a fusion of many May Day customs, including the historical annual holiday for chimney sweeps. To conclude 3 days of morris dancing, folk music, an artisan produce market and a traditional fun-fair, the ‘chimney sweeps’ lead a colourful noisy parade through the old high street to the castle gardens. I watched the parade, photographing the characters and their costumes. Then I noticed one sweep with a 'bird' perched on his hat, and hoped that I had my shot for this week's challenge. When I reviewed the day’s photographs later I noticed that the 'bird' appeared in several earlier pictures, and turned to the internet to seek out the reason why this might be.
You can read one modern sweep’s account of the habits of the jackdaw here
www.sweepover.co.uk/2014/02/bird-nests-in-chimneys/