Thursday 12 June 2014

Trainee Strawberries

Strawberry Flowers.  Nikon D7000
10th May 2014

It is not just apple blossom that has been in flower in the garden; the strawberries are showing distinct promise too.

Fingers crossed we will get some decent fruit before the birds and the slugs take their share!

Garlic and Flies

Fly on the garlic flowers.  Nikon D7000
9th May 2014

I noticed today that the garlic flowers appear to be particularly attractive to the local flies.

I am not sure if they get any nectar from them, or if it just makes them smell better!

Petals and Grass

Apple Blossom.  Nikon D7000
8th May 2014

The apple blossom has almost all fallen now; these few petals were lying on the lawn this morning.

The grass will need another cut soon....

Lilac and Planning Permission

Lilac.  Fuji F10
7th May 2014

The lilac flowers are bursting open, ready for the bees to have a feast.

The colours of Spring are really starting to show now and it is quite a spectacle.

The old thatched cottage on the route back from the school though is turning into quite a different form of spectacle... A planning permission notice has been posted referring to 9 shiny new houses instead of one made from straw...
Derelict thatched cottage.  Fuji F10


Smelly Flowers

Wild garlic. Fuji F10
6th May 2014

Some flowers have no smell, some are aromatic.  These wild garlic flowers are aromatic for sure, but not in the most attractive way.

I have heard of rose petals being used for perfume, I wonder how well garlic would sell as a scent: definitely not one for Vampires of course!

Railings and Floaters


Sweep of Railings.  Nikon D7000
5th May 2014

Traditional Ironwork is not that common in England, so capturing a nice long sweep of railings is fun.

We had a good walk in the park today; we did not go on the little train here in Buxton, but we did see that some of the male ducks have been getting over amorous.   There were a few males still going on the 'quick, she is still warm' philosophy with this poor female.

Female Duck having a bad day.  Nikon D7000

Poules Cavern and Ducks

Stalactites.  Nikon D7000
4th May 2014

We had a visit to Poule's cavern here in Buxton today.  It was very impressive with all the dangley bits from the roof, and being dripped on occasionally.

Some of the stalagmites were rather phallic, which the kids enjoyed :)

We then went for a walk in the park; cooed over the ducklings and then admired the mooning ducks.
Phallic rocks.  Nikon D7000

Fluffy duck.  Nikon D7000

Mooning.  Nikon D7000

Chimneys and Angles

Chimneys and tiles.  Nikon D7000
3rd May 2014

I have a bit of a fascination with the patterns that chimneys make.  The sky was nice and blue this morning and the tiles and chimneys caught my eye with the arrangement of lines.

Unorthodox Chauffer

In the driving seat.  Fuji F10
2nd May 2014

We stopped off at the motorway services today and were greeted by a rather unusual driver in the camper van parked nearby.

The dog had made quite a good job of parking the vehicle; I am not sure I am ready to let Xena try to drive our bus yet as her legs are too short to reach the pedals.

Big Blooms

Tree Peony just flowering.  Nikon D7000
1st May 2014

The tree Peony is just starting to bloom.  The flowers are huge in comparison to the rest of the plant and I am always worried the weight may break the branches.

I remembered to wind down the exposure compensation to stop the red channel blowing out this year too.

Fog

Foggy Morning.  Pentax K7
30th April 2014

This morning was very low contrast as there was heavy fog. The birds were all quiet and did not seem to want to fly much with the reduced visibility.

At least it has stopped raining though :)

Little Faded

Faded Tullip.  Pentax K7
29th April 2014

The tulips have been quite spectacular this spring.
This one has faded and been a bit pounded by the rain.

The red colours are really quite intense against the white centre still though which makes for quite a fun contrast.

Peas

Pea seedlings.  Pentax K7
28th April 2014

The seeds we have planted are starting to grow quite well now.   I must find time to plant them; although the slugs and pigeons seem to be mightily fond of pea plants last year and decimated them.

I may see if I can arrange a little 'protection' for them this year.

Pinholes...

Dog toy.  Nikon D7000 with triangular pinhole body-cap.
f/152
27th April 2014

As it is the last Sunday in April, it is of course World Pinhole Photography Day again.   Being busy again, I put a pinhole plate on the DSLR and went hunting for images in the garden.

The colours caught my eye and this formed my submission for this year; pinholes do show all the dust on the camera sensor however!

Pink Carpet

Fallen Petals.  Fuji F10
26th April 2014

There has been a bit of a breeze recently and much of the blossom has fallen from the trees.

There was a real carpet of pink petals today; quite a sight.

Lines of Power

Power lines at Oslo station.  Fuji F10
25th April 2014

The weather was nice and warm today while waiting for the train.   Geometric lines in images are always fun.   The power lines look so benign, however it would make your curlies quite short if you touched them!

Time at the Opera

Interior of the opera.  Fuji F10
24th April 2014

I visited the interior of the opera house her in Oslo today.   I published a picture of the outside previously, but actually went inside this time.

The inside is quite an intriguing wooden structure.  I did not get a chance to see a performance; maybe another day.

In Flight Entertainment

Planes on a Plane.  Fuji F10
23rd April 2014

There was something a little surreal today when I got off the plane; I had not noticed the way it had been painted when I boarded it.

Seeing another grinning aircraft heading towards you on the tarmac is quite a shock!

Nicely painted however.