Daisy

 I cant be sure of the exact variety but this is a species of daisy. The bright white petals enable pollinators to home in on the flower. The central part of the flower head is a collection of lots of tiny flowers that open in sequence providing a lasting source of pollen and nectar over time.

The Passage of Time

 So today I was all set to share some of yesterday's pictures from Dunham Massey but with the weather being so good I was out with my camera again and I got a load more photos and I have decided to work through those before going back to the Dunham Massey shots.

Today I went to Chirk Castle, near Wrexham in North Wales. It is one of my favourite castles and I have shared numerous pictures from there before as I have had some great days out at Chirk in the past. Each time I go however I try to find something new, even if it is just a different angle to photograph the castle or perhaps a detail in one of the gardens.

And that is what I have focused on today, the theme of "Time" is appropriate for today and so the sundial in the small rose garden caught my attention. I don't think I have ever photographed it before and even if I have I am sure that I have never shared the pictures here before.

Luckily by the time I arrived at Chirk the sun was out and the sky was clear so there was no difficulty in telling the time today; you will see that it was just a few minutes before midday when these photos were taken and I can confirm that having checked the time by my watch the sundial was spot on.

Given that it is still so early in the year there are no roses in bloom at the moment but come the summer this little garden will be awash with colour and the scent of roses and will be the perfect place to relax.

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.

When Skies are Grey

 I have been working from home today, and all day long the sun has been shining and there has hardly been a single cloud in the sky. So, I was looking forward to finishing work and getting outside for a nice evening walk along the sea front. But as I turned off my work laptop I realised that the sudden gloom in my  home office is not because the nights are drawing in (we have past the summer solstice after all) but because there is a weather front coming in and the sky is now heavy with dark grey clouds.

As an antidote for that I thought I would quickly post some beautiful, bright and colourful shots of some flowers taken not so long ago in the gardens at Erddig. Hopefully these images will give your day a little lift just as they have mine.

You're welcome.

The Lenten Rose

 Last Saturday was a beautiful sunny spring day and I was faced with the prospect of a visit to a well know DIY/Home improvement store. For me that is akin to torture so I rebelled and proposed a day out instead. I ended up at Bodnant gardens in North Wales which is always a lovely place to visit. As it is so early in the season there was not a great variety of flowers in bloom but there were lots of buds with the promise of much more to come as spring advances. There were however some early blooms scattered around and these were inviting lots of bees which was good to see.

I have quite a few pictures to sort through and I am starting with these three shots of a Hellebore. I have to say that I am not normally a fan of hellebores however this particular variety (Helleborus x hybridus Ashwood Strain) really caught my eye with its dark edged petals and when you look below the drooping heads you find a brightly coloured centre (is it yellow or green?) holding the pollen and nectar which proved to be very attractive to several bees. 

I have learned today that Hellebores are native to Greece and Turkey and that they are part of the buttercup family.

Montana

 In our garden one of the first blooms in spring is Clematis Montana a really welcome wall of colour as the buds open up and herald the change of seasons.

It is then replaced by two varieties of honeysuckle a cultivated variety and a wild variety that are so fragrant and beautiful. 

Although the clematis is a spring blossom it is flowering now and the flowers are quite spectacular.

Bejewelled Web

 I always think spiders webs look slightly magical especially early in the morning or after a shower of rain when they are covered in dew. Do you agree???

Raindrops

 Here are the last two shots from a rainy visit to Hestercombe in Somerset.

I just love the way raindrops collect in the folds of leaves and cling tenaciously to the tip before finally falling to the ground. There is something really satisfying about the glossy droplets reflecting the world around them.

Openings

 These shots are from the formal gardens at Hestercombe, after a walk around the extensive landscaped garden which had been really quiet the formal garden were much busier, despite the rain. The gardens were designed by Getrude Jekyll and Sir Edwyn Lutyens and although the formal gardens were beautifully laid out I think I preferred the more expansive less formal gardens. 

I did however really like the stone walls surrounding the formal garden and the little gateways and "windows" that opened the views to other parts of the garden and inviting you through to see what is on the other side.

Sunny Side Up!

 Even on a wet and grey Monday these beautiful daisies were guaranteed to brighten things up. 

These are Oxeye daisies, or marguerite and there was a mass of them along the edge of a meadow creating a colourful border marking the edge of the path. Close up there is so much detail in the centre of these flowers so take a closer look if you can. 

Siberian Bugloss

Very often the common names for plants are much more interesting than the formal names and this is certainly a case in point... The scientific name is Brunnera macrophyla, it is a type of forget-me-not or heartleaf and I believe this variety is the Siberian bugloss which is as I say a more interesting name than its scientific name would suggest.

The flowers are quite delicate and you can see from the first image one tiny flower that has been knocked of its stem by the rain. The flower itself is intact but is held in place by the drops of rain.

Topiary

 I had such a lovely time at Sizergh Castle, the gardens are really wonderful. I didn't get to explore everywhere because I didn't have an awful lot of time but I made the most of what time I had.

One of my favourite parts of the gardens was the topiary, it was just so peaceful and I like the view looking through the gates as they welcome you into this hidden gem.

I would normally try to avoid getting people in my shots and anyone who has been with me when I take photos will have been frustrated as they wait for me as I wait to get the perfect shot. As it happens I didn't have to wait long to get people free shots in this part of the garden however as you can see in the second image there is someone there. I had watched them walking towards the end of this passage and I knew that they added something special to the image.

I love the third image because I had sat for a few minutes just soaking up the atmosphere and wishing I could stay a bit longer

Tulips

 I love tulips but I was somewhat surprised to find these little beauties growing in a kitchen garden at Sizergh Castle. It seemed an unusual setting but to be honest they looked really good.

I think the flower in the first image is absolutely stunning in its elegance with its soft cream and pink petals. I am sure you will agree it is a real delight.

The other images are of two different red varieties. I have been told that photographing red flowers is really difficult because it is hard to capture a true reproduction of the colour. I am not sure why this is but it is true and so I had to try several times to get what I hope are the true colours of these lovely blooms. 

Cardoons

 Thistles can be pretty. I love the pinky purple tones of the flower head which viewed close up has a multitude of little tendrils; black, plum and mulberry coloured fingers reaching upwards from a spiky ball.

I like the colour images but I also really like the black and white image because it highlights the structure of the flower

Three Narcissi

 So I had had a lovely time in the grounds of Sizergh castle watching the wildlife and having a lovely picnic lunch and then I went to walk around the castle gardens. Early in the season I wasn't sure what to expect and I was amazed to see so many different varieties of narcissus. I didn't photograph them all but here are three of my favourites.

Little Birdies

 A little break from flowers for today (and maybe for tomorrow too) 

On May 1st I made the most of the sunny weather and visited Sizergh castle in Cumbria. The castle itself was closed to visitors but the gardens were open and I spent a few very pleasant hours there.

For a little while I sat in a quiet spot watching birds feeding, I had thought I had taken a lot more pictures of birds than I actually did so here are a few of the better ones.

First off we have a nuthatch. There were a few of them that were feeding on some seeds that had been scattered on the ground. They would fly in grab a beak full and then just as quickly fly off. This one took to perching in the tree waiting for its turn.

The Robin perched on the willow arch and then searched among the wood chippings for some tasty treats.

I have no idea

 I really don't know what this flower is but I do know it looks pretty.

If you do know what it is then feel free to comment and let me know.

Primrose

 

These Common or English Primroses are absolutely beautiful. The yellow flowers are so delicate with the golden centre fading out to a pale almost creamy yellow.

These were hidden close to some moss covered rocks in a woodland garden I was lucky because the sun was shining through a gap in the tree canopy so these flowers were perfectly illuminated.

I think they are gorgeous 

Elegance

 This was a lovely magnolia with the most amazing display of flowers but unlike many other varieties this one didn't have any fragrance. It really is quite elegant though.