Sprautumn already and it's only January.

It is the end of January 2016 and the cherry plum blossom is out. I noticed this last weekend, the odd emergin flower, but then this week as I've cycled to work, more and more plum blossom has been emerging until whole trees are out. This can't bode well for a plum harvest this year can it? Fingers crossed for no frost/snow even though I like a good blizzard.

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I was mesmerised by this bamboo shooting through my sedum, a lovely colour combination.

bamboo with sedum

my favourite dahlia in deep near-electric pink to which the camera doesn't do justice

this years new cute rudbeckia 'Prairie Glow'

In the garden recently - a blooming lovely combination of flowers and weeds

It has been a striking early spring in the garden and quite a surprise. Just before April the garden was only green with the odd daffodil and hyacinth but not much else. Then suddenly the forget-me-nots exploded into life simultaneously with the tulips and wall flowers. It was utterly tremendous and a wonderful welcome for Mr Sir's arrival. I was able to enjoy the garden with Nana on two separate occasions which was extra lovely. It's just about beginning to go over now, though the clematis is in full glory and the rowan tree is throwing out a lovely scent in the evenings (at least I think it's the rowan: I can't find anything else at ground level which is scented presently.)

the pink clematis offset with blue forget-me-nots

the drape of clematis on the fence

this is my favourite wallflower this year, a deep wine purple

the clematis is climbing the rowan

two brassicas, one for flower on for leaf

our patio area with chimenea

full on clematis magic
2015-05-09

Two photos from Anglesey Abbey, Cambridgeshire [@AngleseyAbbeyNT]

Here are just two photos I came across on my photographic ramble recently. Both taken in the National Trust garden at Anglesey Abbey on the outskirts of Cambridge in the village of Lode. Well worth a visit if you're passing though. This dogwood looked resplendent in the glorious winter garden. Visit between Dec and Feb to catch its peak, while at other times of the year the wonder is surprisingly dull (not in a bad way, just comparatively).

bright yellow dogwood at Anglesey Abbey

ladybird on an Autumnal ramble
2014-11-22

Purple/blue calendula on the slopes of a Jeju Volcano, South Korea

This glorious bright blue flower (some type of daisy or calendula?) was on the Korean island of Jeju, which is a volcanic playgroud. Something like 130 volanoe cones in an island not much bigger than the Isle of Wight. A fabulous place to visit, also for the tasty and cheap satsumas that grow there and the island culture which is quite different from mainland Korea.

blue daisy on a volcano on Jeju Island in Korea

at least I think it's some sort of daisy (or perhaps calendar)

Jeju Island is littered with extinct cones, a geographers playground
2014-11-22

Clematis on a Pallet Fence

I found this image recently on my ramble through the archives. It was a clematis that I set loose on the pallet fence back in Kitchener. The last time I stopped by to visit it was still growing so one day I hope it will have become a lovely hedge.

clematis joy
2014-11-19

Chesterton Tower Cherry Tree Blossom, Cambridge

Part of my recent photographic exploration I found this set of images from spring a few of years ago. We watched this cherry tree explode into a riot of shocking pink like I've never seen. One evening the light was just right after a Sunday of rain and so I popped out to shoot these. The photograph of the bike leaning against Chesterton Tower is my favorite and very Cambridge.

cherry blossom explosion

shocking hot pink

the low light beautifully illuminated the fresh green leaves

background lit blossom

a classic Cambridge sight
2014-11-16

Dahlia, Cosmos and Kale

Until recently this was the lovely display of autumn flower power that came together rather unexpectedly this year. I'm especially pleased with the purple kale which works really well with the purple hues of the dahlias and cosmos. Plus we'll get to eat it all winter in (no so) green smoothies.

autumn display of defiant colour
2014-11-09

A Bright Orange Cosmos

I believe I collected this seed from Hanggang in Seoul last year.
2014-10-26

Flower power

I was a bit late for the Chelsea Chop this year, but this was the result.

Why All The Flies Nick?

I was sorting through my catalogue of desktop backgrounds and found these three fly photos that I took back in 2005. Now with my new D7100 I thought it about time to try my hand again at some fly macros principally in search of the perfect compound eye shot. I've not made it yet, but I'm getting reasonably pleased with the preliminary results. More to come I'm sure, but to temper the files (which are otherwise getting a little too annoying in the house at the moment) there is a picture of a bee in flight (the focus is not particularly sharp I'll admit).

a rather cute blue bottle. I love the colours of the rock (2005)

sepia filter applied to this, but the eye is magnificent (2005)

the focus of this was well caught (2005)

this bee was visiting the morning courgette flowers (recent)

Opening Dahlia

This opening dahlia flower in my garden is a latecommer to the party but looked rather cute partially open
 

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Damaged Dahlia

 

Very happy with this photo of a beautifully damaged dahlia in the garden.

Blossom vs Leaf

 

Some Arty Blossom Shots

Here are a few Photoshop art filtered photos I took of the early blossom coming out in Southampton over the past few weeks.







southampton, photoshop, blossom