Native Blue

 There is something special about walking in the woods in spring when you are surrounded by beautiful flowers and the heady smell of the bluebells. I remember walking on Bluebell Hill near Maidstone with my parents and seeing masses of these flowers and then for years I don't recall seeing them in any numbers, perhaps I just wasn't looking. A few years ago I went to Skomer to photograph the Puffins and other seabirds and large parts of the island  were completely covered in Bluebells and that was the first time I really appreciated not just the flower itself but the wonderful smell, the air was filled with it. It was a perfect day and is a wonderful memory.

These two shots were taken at Boilton Woods near Preston. I have a few more images from a little closer to home at Burton Mere which no doubt I will share if I get round to uploading them.

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 

Like The Clappers

Canon 100mm f/1:2.8   ISO 100  f/4.0   1/80 sec

When we look at Bluebells, as a rule we look from above or perhaps from the side to take in the mass of colour or the beautiful bell shaped flowers but do we stop to look closely at the detail?  

In case the answer to that question is no take a look at the pictures that I have shared today. With the benefit of my macro lens and with my camera securely mounted on a tripod I can show you the wonderful interior of the bluebell with its clapper like stamen with their sugary pollen coating. Isn't it wonderful the way the petals peel back in that bell shape to expose the heart of the flower, enticing bees and other pollinating insects to do their work to ensure beautiful displays of these native beauties year on year.

Sunburst

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

This beautiful flower is a Lesser Celandine and it is like a little burst of sunshine in the shady woodland. It is such a fantastic shade of yellow but where it catches the sunlight it appears white.  It really is a wonderful plant and if you look closely you can see a darker corona emanating from the central stem outwards along the petals providing a strong background to the jewel like pollen bearing centre.

Bluebells

Canon 100mm f/1:2.8  ISO 100   f/6.3   1/160 sec

I had intended to share some of my pictures of the carpet of Bluebells in the woods at Burton Mere but when I was trying to choose I was a little disappointed with them because although the bluebells make a fantastic display there is also a lot of greenery that detracts somewhat from the flowers.  The green was that sticky weed, like velcro which happens to be called "Sticky Weed" or more properly Galium aparine. There was masses of the stuff and it spoils the overall effect of the pictures so I may have to try again to get some better shots.

So instead I decided to share a couple of macro images which are, I think, really beautiful.  You don't have to be a genius to see that the two pictures are of the exact same flower and the camera settings for each shot are identical. There is a slight difference in the angle but the principal difference is the lighting with the first image lit solely by the sun, from behind while the second is also lit from in front using a small hand held torch.

I really like both images, they have different qualities, I like the colour of the flowers better in the second image but I like the background effect in the first. If you have a favourite why not leave a comment, and let me know the reason for your choice...

Forget Me Not

Canon 100mm f 1:2.8

ISO 100    f/4.5   1/100 sec

ISO 100   f/3.5    1/100 sec

I had gone to photograph the bluebells at Burton Mere and as it was a beautifully sunny morning the prospect of capturing some great images filled me with hope as I set off.

Before I got to the main show of bluebells however I spotted a magnificent spread of Forget Me Not's and so I stopped to get a few shots. They really are such beautifully delicate flowers and they make a nice display in the dappled  early morning sunlight.

All Is Revealed

So yesterday I posted a puzzler and invited you to identify a flower from its fabulous central curls. 

Well over 150 people have looked at the image but not one has been able to identify what it was so here to solve the mystery are two more images. Can you tell what it is now?

Of course it is a cyclamen, one of my favourite flowers.

Come back tomorrow for some more great pics from my woodland walk.

Mystery Flower

So this is a greatly enlarged image of a favourite woodland flower. But can you tell what it is?

I love the way the inner petals curl back, they almost look like spools of cotton and the dark  pink adds depth and contrast.

It may be quite difficult to identify so I will give you a clue...

These flowers generally appear through the woodland floor before the leaves, curling upwards on spindly stems.

Please leave a comment if you think you know what it is. I will reveal the answer tomorrow.

Green Heart

Now that Valentine's Day is behind us here is one of nature's hearts without any sentimentality.

I love it.

Cool as a Cyclamen

Although the main reason for heading to Chirk on Saturday was to see the Snowdrops (and I will be posting some pictures of the Snowdrops in the next few days) one thing that I hoped to see was this wonderful cyclamen. There had been a couple in this spot last year but they were past their best so to find this one was a real treat. I have always been fascinated by the way these flowers slowly unfurl. They look so delicate and beautiful.

Golden Beauty

I think this is a variety of Narcissus called Narcissus pseudonarcissus "Flore Plena" although I am not 100% sure. Whatever it is it is a beautiful and delicate little flower which brings some very welcome  colour and warmth to a winter garden.

I love it and hopefully you will too.

Pink and Blue

I love woodland flowers and here is a selection of colourful blooms from my recent visit to Towneley. They are Primula, Forget Me Not and an emerging Rhododendron. I don't know what the third picture is so if anyone can help please leave a comment.

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.