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.

It Won't be Long

 I have spent most of this morning looking through old folders for pictures to edit and I have generated a lot of work for myself so there is no chance i will be getting bored while the weather is rubbish and I don't have chance to get out with my camera. It is nice looking back at the older pictures as they bring back lots of memories, and after all that is why we take a lot of the pictures we do, to capture a moment and aid memory after time has passed.

I have shared a few brightly coloured floral pictures for today, these were taken in May at Erddig in North Wales and I thought that now the excitement of Christmas is passed and while it is cold and grey outside a little colour with the promise of things to come might be a lift that some people need. It won't be long until our gardens, parks and woodlands start to bring forth colour; snowdrops, crocus, cyclamen, daffodils and tulips. I look forward to getting outdoors much more to enjoy everything nature has to offer and the benefits that will bring.

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.

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.

Dilly Dilly

So the title of the blog is a reference to a song that harks back to when my daughter was very small and that I heard in a movie over the weekend and which perfectly fits with the subject of this post.

We have always, or for as long as I can remember had a lavender plant in out front garden, at times it has become large and unruly and needed pruning right back. In the last year we have had to replace it so at present it is just a small bush but even so it has been full of beautiful fragrant flowers.

I love lavender because of the colour, the furry texture of the tiny buds and the fact that they attract so many pollinators. They also remind me of hotels for some reason. 

Bitter sweet

I love chocolate it is good for you, I love flowers too so when I spotted this beautiful Chocolate Cosmos I had to get a picture. It is such a  rich and warm brown just like chocolate and in the summer sun it looked absolutely glorious. The flower is not fully out but it still caught my eye. 

Kniphofia

It is really no wonder that plants are not generally referred to by their scientific names. Take todays flower for example, Kniphofia is quite a mouthful, and if you try the family name; Asphodelaceae it all makes sense to give it an easier name, Red Hot Poker seems like quite a good name for it.

This was a nice specimen with fleshy looking flowers that open out to beautiful red bells. Quite stunning.

The first shot reminds me of a giant glass sculpture I photographed earlier this year on the Venetian island of Murano, see my post A Lotta Bottle from 10th March

Insect Heaven

I love these white Cone Flowers (or Echinacea), their strong white petals folding back to reveal the spiky orange centre that attracts all manner of pollinating insects. 

In A Queens Garden

These shots of flowers are from Marie Antoinette's domain at Versailles. Aren't they pretty?

Lavender Blue Dilly Dilly

One of my favourite lenses is my Canon 100mm 2.8 USM Macro lens but for a while it had been out of action so I sent it off for repair. The day I got it back I couldn't wait to try it out again so went out to the front garden and took these shots of a lavender plant we have growing in an old chimney pot.

Lavender is such a wonderful plant, such vibrant colour and heady perfume that has relaxing properties. Close up you can see the delicate little buds with their furry covering.

I am so glad to have my lens back so I can get up close once more.

Black and Blue

Canon 100mm 1:2.8  ISO 100  f/4.5   1/400 sec

So now that I am home from my trip around Europe you might expect me to be sharing some of my pictures right away but as I have so many to sort through it might be a day or two before I get round to that.

Fortunately for me (and for you) I still have lots of pictures from previous outings  that I can share.

Today I have picked this beautiful macro shot of a flower, I love the strong colours from the black tendrils in the centre to the blue bean shaped stamen. I love the way the light catches on the surfaces making them glitter and shine.

Lupins

Just one picture for today and only a brief post.

These lovely lupins were spotted in a floral display on the French side of the Mont Blanc  tunnel.
I have seen lots of lupins during rht course of this roadtrip, mostly along the motorway embankments through Denmark, SeedeS and Germany they're really lovely flowers and they certainly brighten up the motorways.

Small and Delicate

Last week I spent a couple of hours at the zoo and I began by taking some pictures of some of the flowers around a few of the animal enclosures. I got a few strange looks from some of the zoo'z visitors, perhaps they thought I was missing the point when there were monkeys and all manner of other creatures to see. However I am always on the lookout for a good shot and that means not always going for the obvious.

I don't know what these particular flowers are but I hope you will agree they are very pretty. Each individual flower is really tiny but they are perfectly formed and combine to make a lovely plant.

Fuschia

There are so many different varieties of fuschia; I don't know specifically what this one is called. I love the shape of these flowers, there is so much going on with the umbrella shade, the bell flowers and the long tendrils. They look a bit like ballerinas or fairies. So if you like fairies you will love these flowers.

Pretty In Pink

Alliums are really fabulous plants with the flower heads more like colonies of tiny flowers. 

Walking past a bed of alliums you tend to see rows of colourful balls perched on top of their slender stems. But it really is worth taking a closer look and then you will see the gorgeous detail that you can see in today's first picture.

I hope you like today's post if so and if you would like to be in with a chance to win a free limited edition print (of any picture from posts past and present) simply visit my facebook page where you can like and share. The draw will take place at the end of this week when total blog visitors reaches 50,000 (likely to be Friday if current trends continue)

New Blossom

I don't know what this particular flower is but I don't think my ignorance would be a reason not to share it with you.

From the tight little bud in the first picture emerges these beautiful tender white flowers with gloriously bright centres. Set against their soft green foliage they make a splendid sight.

I love getting in close with my macro lens to pick out the detail in the centre with those fine tendrils designed to lure in the bees and pollinating insects so that we can enjoy more of these wonderful plants.

I am so glad that spring has arrived and we can enjoy warmer days and more colour in the world around us.

Dog Rose, Lavender and more

I'm sure that by now you know how much I love flowers and summer colour, and here are a few shots of some of the colourful varieties I spotted around Williamson Park in Lancaster recently.

They are from top to bottom:

• Dog Rose
• Hydrangea
• Lupin
• Lavender (two varieties)
• Blue Daisy or Kingfisher Daisy

Enjoy!

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 :)

Pink Pink Pink

I think these pictures are fabulous, such strong colours, so many shades of pink and beautiful blooms that would brighten up any garden.

I actually took these images in a garden centre, it was quite busy so I couldn't really take too long getting the perfect shot. I got a few looks from some visitors and perhaps they thought I was a bit cheeky but to be honest I took no notice and just snapped away.

Oh and who can say it wasn't worth it?