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Gallery: some favourite English flowers
In the last few years, with the batterings the world has taken – Covid, war in Ukraine, prices spiralling – flowers have been among the constants that have kept many people’s spirits up. The pandemic in particular reminded many of us to value the little pleasures of life, and what gives more pleasure for its size than a flower?
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Gallery: a July selection
July may not be my favourite month (I prefer May or September). But there has been much to like about this past July, which was bookended with special celebrations.
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Gallery: three flowers, three fruits
There are always flowers, and for those of us in the northern hemisphere, especially at this time of year. Is there a photographer anywhere, I wonder, who doesn't want both to see them and to capture them forever?
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A stroll around Tavira
I couldn’t go to the Faro area and not meet up with blogging friend Restless Jo, could I? Or perhaps I could! We planned to meet, naturally, but on the day fate intervened and our coffee date had to be … not cancelled, I hope, but certainly indefinitely postponed.
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Gallery: fabulous florals in a spin
Of course spring flowers are glorious in their own right. We love to see them both for their beauty and because they herald summer days to come. But I’ve shared so many in the past. So when Terri asked to see some fabulous seasonal florals I wanted to do something different.
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Gallery: inspired by spring blossoms
Now every field is clothed with grass, and every tree with leaves; now the woods put forth their blossoms, and the year assumes its gay attire. This quote from Virgil, who lived in the first century BCE, is a reminder that spring has inspired writers throughout the centuries. I wonder if it’s the most written-about season of all?
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Gallery: the magnificent magnolias of March
When I included some magnolia flower images in my recent monochrome spring flowers post it was to celebrate their sculptural forms in particular. But while black and white really emphasises those forms, draining them of colour isn’t to everyone’s taste. And to be honest the shapes are just as beautiful and distinctive in colour; while the different shades from pure white through delicate pinks to deep reds and purple are equally worth celebrating.
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Gallery: spring sunshine, but in monochrome?
It may seem contradictory, as we pass from winter to spring, to try to present that colourful season in black and white. Flowers are appearing, in shades of pink, yellow and more. Green leaves are sprouting on trees and bushes. Nature is coming to life in glorious technicolour!
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Gallery: in the garden, Costa Rican style
We stayed in some wonderful hotels in Costa Rica, and all of them had gorgeous gardens. The planting was true to the environment, with native trees and bushes and a real forest vibe. When we weren’t out exploring the national parks and reserves I spent much of my time photographing the colourful flowers, remarkable trees and beautiful birds.
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Barking up the right tree in Costa Rica
In the cloud forest low-hanging clouds hover around the upper canopy before condensing onto the leaves of trees and dripping onto the plants below. Looking up you can barely see the sky; such is the denseness of the vegetation and the constant dripping of water. With less sunlight comes a slower rate of evaporation; the plants below thrive in the abundance of life-giving moisture.
