35 Comments
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David E. Perry's avatar

This is lovely, Thomas. Thank you for the meditation.

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Thomas Winward's avatar

You’re most welcome! You might also enjoy this one: https://www.urbannaturediary.com/p/the-birdwatchers

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Carmine Hazelwood's avatar

I feel like the answer to that question you were asked is yes and yes. We all have the capacity to pay attention to nature — whether we do or not and why is another thing. And like any practice, the more you put into it, the more your attention is rewarded. What a wonderful world in miniature you show us, thank you. x

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Thomas Winward's avatar

Love this take - I think you're absolutely right! Glad you liked the film.

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Melissa Harrison's avatar

Have you read The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elisabeth Tova Bailey?

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Thomas Winward's avatar

I have not! I’ll check it out!

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Melissa Harrison's avatar

It’s LOVELY.

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Anna Rose's avatar

That film is epic ❤️✨

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Thomas Winward's avatar

Thank you 🥰

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Douglas Halpert's avatar

This is a brilliant film! I enjoyed it far more than any film I've seen in the theater or on Netflix this year. It is a great reminder for me to take things slower rather than faster in 2025.

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Thomas Winward's avatar

Gosh what an endorsement! Glad you enjoyed it.

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Susan's avatar

Great message…for humanity, our planet. Awesome.

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Thomas Winward's avatar

Thanks very much!

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Lindsay Hartley's avatar

Just beautiful. I have an affinity for snails. I love stopping to observe them. Thanks for this.

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Thomas Winward's avatar

You're most welcome :)

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Michelle Berry Lane's avatar

Gorgeous film of the snails--and your words of beautiful, simple truth. Your message reminds us of our own beautiful creatureliness and desire to attend in a world where we participate in our own uprooting. Thank you Thomas!

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Thomas Winward's avatar

Thanks for taking the time to watch and read!

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Zabby's avatar

I could not love this any more! If there was a manifesto for Nature Notice Board, it would pretty much be this. Thank you Tom for the reminder to keep paying attention, keep slowing down, keep rejecting the nonsense! Everybody should watch Living, Being.

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Thomas Winward's avatar

Excellent, thank you Zabby! Here’s to paying attention :)

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Pip L's avatar

I enjoyed your film…the snails are fascinating and well worth a pause and a proper look.

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Thomas Winward's avatar

Thanks Pip!

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Hannah's avatar

Great film! It's so adorable how they move around so slowly.

I agree about the importance of noticing. I am quite convinced I would not have managed life through many difficult situations if I hadn't maintained and re-learned the skill to be amazed by the small things in nature. I think it's one of the keys to happiness. Maybe what is often called "gratitude" these days is a similar thing, but trying to be deliberately grateful (and to whom?) feels forced to me.

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Thomas Winward's avatar

Thank you Hannah. Gratitude, reverence, attention - all vital aspects of understanding we are part of a greater ecosystem.

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Emese-Réka Fromm's avatar

Loved this! Both the message and the video... Snails are wonderful in making us slow down if we notice them. I remember as kids we used to sit and watch them for what seemed like hours. I feel they can train us to slow down. I believe we all have the capacity to do it, just need to listen to the right message - or rather to nature. Great post!

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Thomas Winward's avatar

So glad it resonated with you :) they're mesmerising little critters.

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Gillian McMurray's avatar

That was a beautiful little film. It took my blood pressure down a good few points. Thank you, Tom.

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Thomas Winward's avatar

Phew, that was my goal! You’re very welcome.

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dominique's avatar

Fantastic!

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Juliet Wilson's avatar

I really enjoyed watching your film, what lovely snails!

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Thomas Winward's avatar

Thank you for watching!

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Gill Moon Photography's avatar

Brilliant message and film Thomas. I loved the poetry and the contrast between the noise of the streets and the quietness of the hedgerow.

I have written about noticing before as I think it is something that is so important for photography but I find that not enough people take the time too notice properly. They want to be shown ready made compositions which leaves little time for connecting with the landscape they are photographing.

Noticing is something I have been trying to promote in my work so it was lovely to read your thoughts on the subject.

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Thomas Winward's avatar

That’s great, I totally get that your line of work is defined by noticing! Slowing down reveals things to us.

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