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. 

You Know Spring Has Arrived When...

This morning we were blessed with beautiful clear skies and glorious early morning sunshine. It was a cold start to the day but definitely worth the effort of getting up and out early to capture the early sun on theses beautiful bluebells in the Gorse Covert at the RSPB reserve at Burton Mere.

I always look for the emergence of bluebells to signal that Spring has truly arrived. I have lots of happy memories of walks in woodlands where there were carpets of native bluebells and although this display is not as dense as some of those I grew up with it is still heartwarming and a boost to the spirits.

Long Tailed Tit

Long Tailed Tits are so cute and they are often seen in small chattering flocks and as the evening sets in they will huddle together in small groups to keep warm.

I love this shot especially as you can see that spring has arrived with the blossoming pussy willow.

Fire On Water

I love this picture, it really does look like fire and water.

It is another reflection from Burton Mere, taken this past weekend. 

You may be surprised to learn that it is the reflection of some new willow shoots growing on the bank of a small island in the mere. The shoots are bright golden orange and as they catch the sun they look glorious against the dark background of the old wood. And of course as you can see here they create a wonderful abstract reflection in the gently rippling water.

Unsprung

These images are great examples of why this season is aptly named Spring as these leaves uncoil like springs.

I love the rich greens in the first image not just in the plant itself but also the different shades in the background and the effects of the light.

I chose to post the second image in black and white because I like the contrast and it also makes the detail of the hairs stand out more. The background in this picture is also interesting as it is like a mirror image (albeit out of focus) of the plant which is the main focus of the shot. I know that not everyone likes to see plants in black and white but here I think the shot works really well.

Stage Fright

I know that Robins are really popular with a lot of people. There is something very special about them and they're definitely one of my favourite birds. I love listening to their beautiful song, whenever I hear it it makes me smile and feel really good. 

I have called today's post Stage Fright because this little chap was singing beautifully and I managed to get a few shots with its head back and beak open trilling away and then he just stopped. My son suggested that it was because he realised he was being photographed hence the title. While it works as a funny title I can exclusively reveal that he was simply pausing for breath and soon after the second shot he started singing once again. Beautiful!

A Great Tit

On Saturday I had planned on going to Bodnant Gardens in North Wales, desperate for some spring colour but I woke to the sound of pounding rain on the roof and my mood became as grey as the clouds as I realised that my planned photo shoot was not going to happen.

Later in the day the skies cleared and the sun came out. It was too late to travel to Bodnant but I wanted so much to get out so decided to go somewhere closer to home and hit upon the idea of the Walled Garden at Royden Park. This is a local gem and although the park is a favourite with families and dog walkers the walled garden is a secluded and often over looked spot and whenever I have visited in the past I have found myself alone or just joined by one or two other visitors, Saturday was no exception and in the afternoon sun it was a perfect spot.

It is stil very early in the season and there weren't too many floral specimens on display (there were a few which I will be sharing in due course) but I spent some time watching the birds visiting a corner of the garden where there are a number of feeders set up to encourage the wildlife. 

Today's picture is of a beautiful Great Tit that was taking almost as much interest in me as I was in him. He perched for a few moments, just long enough for this shot, before flying to feed his pretty little face.

Windflower

"Thimble weed", "Stink Fox" or "Wood Anemone"

Four different names for the same flower, whatever you know it as here are some lovely shots of this flower that appears in early spring creating a lovely blanket of white, green and yellow.

I wasn't able to post anything yesterday as I was camping in North Wales and had no internet access. I was able to get some good shots though so I look forward to posting some in the near future. I still have a few more from Ness Gardens to share and I also have some from last weekend which should be a real treat.