Cosmos

 

It is over two weeks since I posted last and it is incredible because I have so much to get through, but after long days at work mostly in front of my computer I just haven't really felt like taking more time looking at a screen and concentrating on processing images to share.

That being said today and over the next few days I can see myself spending an awful lot of time sorting through files and photos so perhaps there will be more to see. Who knows this might not even be my only post for today...

For today though I have selected two shots of a variety of Cosmos, a plant from the daisy family I believe. This one has luscious pink petals and a radiant yellow centre which really made it stand out. The texture of the petals as they curl seems to give movement to the flower even though it is perfectly still.

In the first image I just adjusted the contrast a little but in the second I wanted to try a completely different treatment, converting it to black and white, pulling up the contrast and increasing the blacks and shadows to create what I think is a really effective image. I love it, the movement in this image, to me at least, has the feel of fire and smoke. Maybe it is just me but however it looks to you I hope you will agree that it is a pretty cool photo.

Dilly Dilly

 

Here are a couple of shots of some lavender flowers as they emerge in my garden.

We used to have a massive lavender plant in our front garden, planted in an old chimney stack. It was so large it would beat against our window when the wind was blowing. I was a beautiful display of colour and so fragrant. No one else had lavender in our street and it was nice to see people stop to admire it and to take in the scent.

Sadly it got so old and woody so it has been replaced with some younger plants which are just now coming into their own.

They are such beautiful flowers, and the scent is so relaxing, it is no wonder that lots of hotel rooms use pictures of lavender to soothe their guests.

Enchanting Erythronium

 

I love these delicate lilies that were growing in the dappled shade of a woodland garden at Bodnant. The way the petals peel backwards and upwards to reveal the bright yellow anthers to attract the pollinators is quite enchanting. 

The first image above is one of my favourite shots in quite a while, I love the balance of light and shade and the way the flower appears to be almost floating or dancing in the air like a ballerina or perhaps for those who believe like a fairy.  As I said enchanting.

Weeds or Wildflowers

 

I love daisies and dandelions, even though they are very often regarded as weeds I think they bring so much joy. 

I know that if you have a pristine lawn the last thing you may want is a carpet of these flowers but I would rather look at these and other wildflowers any time.

They are really worth a closer look too as there is so much beauty in the detail.

Beautiful Bluebells

 I have been so very busy at work in recent weeks and I have had barely a moment to relax, as different emergency situations developed I was getting more and more behind with things I need to do. On Friday afternoon as I closed down my laptop I decided I needed to get out for a while to end the working week on a high.

The sun was shining and so I put the top down on my car and drove down to Burton Mere Wetlands. I didn't actually make it to the reserve itself because I first went for a walk through the woodland to look at the bluebells and spent quite some time taking the stunning display, the scent was wonderful too although a couple of people complained they couldn't smell them which in these times of Covid 19 made me wonder if they should get tested...

Seeing these bluebells brought back many happy memories, among them memories from my youth in Kent walking with my family in Bluebell Wood, and more recent times of Boilton Wood in Lancashire.

I love to see the wonderful carpet of blue but I also like to look closer and see the detail of each delicate flower and you can see that as they open out they really are little bells. These are the native English Bluebells and they are a protected species. As such I was unable to wander freely in the woods and had to stick to the marked footpath, I was able to spot a couple of trails through the bluebells which marked the route of badgers that live in the woods.

I was so glad I took a little time to myself to end the week on a high note.

Solution

 Yesterday I posted a couple of close up images and asked you to try to guess what it was. No one actually tried to guess but never mind. Here is the solution to the puzzle I set.

It is a rather handsome cock pheasant that was strolling along a woodland path as I was walking back to my car. I was used to seeing hundreds of these as a teenager in the fields around my home in Lincolnshire. I don't see so many where I live now but I am always impressed by their stunning plumage.

Myosotis...

These are such tiny little flowers but they have such a big impact. Forget-me-not or scorpion grass as they are also known flower between April and July so these were early bloomers and added a lovely splash of blue to the woodland garden. With the sunlight on them the petals almost sparkle. They really are little gems.

The name Myosotis comes from a Greek word which translates as "mouse ear" and relates to the shape of the leaves rather than reference to the flower itself.

Cherry Blossom Time

 

I am really enjoying looking through my photos from the garden at Dunham Massey and I am only on day two... I have looked ahead and I can promise some stunning images so make sure you keep coming back.

For today I have three pictures of some beautiful cherry blossom. I love this time of year as gardens come to life and trees like apple and cherry bust into colour before the leaves come through. The delicate blossoms with a very oh so subtle pink shade are absolutely beautiful and in my view they make for some wonderful images. 

Hellebore

 On my first proper day out this year it couldn't have been better weather and so I got in the car, put the roof down headed off down the motorway to Dunham Massey. I spent some time exploring the estate gardens enjoying the spring flowers and beautiful blossoms and then I went for a walk around the deer park and got some lovely photos. After something of a drought of pictures for my blog I now have enough to keep me going for a little while and I really look forward to sharing them with you.

For today I have three pictures of a lovely hellebore. They are not exactly the most exciting flowers but they bring some much needed colour to gardens after winter has passed and herald the start of spring. These are quite nice specimens and it seems fitting that I start my series of spring flowers with the understated hellebore.

Ooooh, That's Nice!

This is a Common Spotted Orchid, or Dactylorhiza maculata. I had spotted several specimens along my walk through Chee Dale but this one on top of a mossy wally really stood out against the lush background. It always seems a little unfair to attach Common to the name because although they may be found in many places they are still uncommonly beautiful.

A Pleasant Pheasant

I spotted this beautiful pheasant scratting around beneath some feeders that were host to a flock of hungry goldfinches. He was taking advantage of the seeds scattered by the finches and tits feeding above.  As I watched, a Sparrowhawk flew past low and fast scattering the smaller birds in a flurry of feathers but the pheasant was unmoved.

Just look at those magnificent colours and I know that with such strong and vibrant colours most people will say that the only way to show it off is in full and glorious colour. However, I also think it looks amazing in black and white and it's worth sharing both versions.

A Feast of Fungi

So I can't guarantee these are edible but they're certainly a feast for the eyes.

These are just a few of the fabulous fungi along the trails at Pigeon River, on the Ontario side.

This is the perfect time of year to get outdoors and enjoy nature. The leaves are turning myriad of colours and the smells of autumn in the air make it a real treat.

These shots were captured using my phone's camera but I have lots more great photos using my macro lens that I will be sure to post when I get back home.

Blue Glory

Canon 100 1:2.8  ISO125   f/3.5  1/160sec

When I spotted these beautiful blue flowers I thought they were Turkish Glory of the Snow (Chionodoxa) a flower I have photographed before however I am not so sure.

The central element of Glory of the Snow is white with yellow stamen but here you can see the centre is grey with a blue tip. 

I have tried to identify them but I just can't be certain. Whatever they are they're really lovely and a nice splash of colour to show that spring is definitely here. I had to get dirty getting right down to snap these shots but I think it was worth it.

Native Beauty

canon 100mm 1: 2.8 ISO 200 f/3.5 1/320sec

canon 100mm 1: 2.8 ISO 200 f/3.5 1/320

canon 100mm 1:2.8 ISO 200 f/5.0 1/200sec

Here are a few more shots from Ness Botanic Gardens. As I said yesterday there wasn't a great deal of colour in the beds but there was plenty to find if you looked around. Yesterdays Crocuses were scattered beneath the trees on the lawns near the visitors centre where the grass was cut fairly short.

These beautiful Primroses were lower down in the gardens and in slightly longer grass a little way off the path. They could have easily been missed so I am glad that I spotted them because they are real gems in the garden.

They are native plants and fairly widespread and they are a welcome sign that spring is well on the way. I love the delicate pale yellow heart shaped petals with the vibrant centre and the crinkly green leaves.  

Pink And Blue

Here are two more lovely shots of flowers from Ness Gardens to bring a bit of much needed colour.

The first is a Hydrangea, in France they are called Hortensia and in Brittany they are really abundant and they have Hortensia festivals to celebrate the summer blooms. Often the petals can get battered and discoloured so I was really pleased to see this perfect flower.

I don't know what the flower in the second shot is so if anyone knows please leave a comment for me. I love the tiny flowers with the little buds that open out to these delicate tendrils.

There is so much beauty in this world.

"Beautiful Squirrels"

These rare Prevost Squirrels ( Callosciurus prevostii) or Tri-Coloured Squirrels from South East Asia belong to a genus of squirrels which are collectively known as "Beautiful Squirrels" and it is easy to see why.

Chester Zoo has a family group of five with three young being born earlier this year. I wouldn't be at all surprised if those numbers increase in about six weeks time given the activity going on in the enclosure during my visit to the zoo yesterday...

Californian Poppy

I really love the colour of these Californian Poppies and I love getting close up to see the finer details. I hope you like it too...

Fuzzy Head

Vultures have a bit of  a bad reputation as dirty scavengers but they're actually pretty impressive creatures.

Whenever I see vultures I think back to the Disney Jungle Book and the four vultures that taunt and tease young Mowgli. I don't so much remember the movie itself but the soundtrack which I used to listen to endlessly on a Decca portable record player in my bedroom.

The other memory I have from my early youth is of a advertisement for a T-shirt showing a pair of very hungry looking vultures sitting on a branch looking at a herd of animals down below. One says to the other "patience my ass, I'm going to kill something!"

Looking at this European Black Vulture there is beauty to see if you look closely. The close cropped fuzzy feathers on its head, the high collar of feathers around its neck and beautiful long eyelashes. 

Red, White and Blue

Today is a big day, what with the EU Referendum and all that and so I have picked a selection of flowers in the colours of the Union Flag. I am not going to say how I voted or suggest how anyone else should because this isn't a political blog. I am just glad to live in a country that gives me the freedom to vote and more importantly where I can get out and enjoy beauty like these blooms. 

When all the fuss, arguing and debate has faded away these pictures will still be bright and beautiful and I am thankful for that :)