So here is a beautiful bright reflection of some willow trees as the leaves emerge. I have rotated the image through 90 degrees and cropped it slightly. I have used a longer exposure to soften the image and to get a sense of movement as the branches were blowing gently in the breeze. I think it is quite a good look, what do you think?
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.
I had gone to Brockholes to shoot photos of the bird life there and I wasn't planning on photographing anything else but while waiting near a reed bed for some action I spotted these fluffy willow buds emerging as an early sign of spring. I always go out prepared with a selection of lenses just in case opportunities like this turn up so I changed from my big zoom to my macro lens and snapped a few shots.
I think these are really nice images, I love the texture of the buds and I like the way the buds seem to climb, curling upwards around the stem. I also like them because they are a promise that spring with warmer weather is not far away.
Last Saturday was particularly cold but at least it was dry so I took the opportunity to visit Erddig near Wrexham in North Wales. It is a fine stately home with a reputation that the servants of the household were highly valued and well treated by the home owners.
There are lovely formal and informal gardens at Erddig but because of the intense cold I didn't spend too much time outside. I did however see these hopeful signs of spring in these lovely catkins and crocus.and couldn't pass up the opportunity to take a few shots to share with you.
