I have always loved the effects produced by raindrops in nature, such as in this shot taken today. This time, however, the rain was in any case so especially welcome after a long spell of hot dry weather! A gentle breeze was also very pleasant. Oh, and I still hope we get some more sunshine before autumn sets in!
Driving through the countryside, I took this shot today. I have to say, seeing these ripening blackberries gave me mixed feelings; sure, I like blackberries, but I don’t want summer to be over too soon. I haven’t had time to properly enjoy it, yet!
This shot just seems to typify the mood of summer; not quite enough blue sky here to call it ‘negative space’ but that idea of open sky is there… and when the rain finally comes, it will help the beans to grow!
I didn’t have a picture for today – until today! This young dragonfly visited my garden. I was able to get quite a few shots; I chose this one to put here.
I took this picture only today. I was visiting a part of a nearby nature reserve that I’d not been to before, and decided to see how good a shot of these water birds I could get – apologies for not having identified them yet. This is a cropped section of the original image. I was fairly pleased with the outcome. I imagine that this is one family – two chicks and the proud mum and dad! I hope to visit this spot again soon.
It seems rather fitting to herald the arrival of summer with a picture like this one, showing the vibrant colour of this species of lily flowers. Although they don’t last long, one plant can have several buds that open in succession. They also have quite an intriguing scent – but watch out for those stamens, because the pollen can stain clothing quite badly!
Last week, when out shopping, I happened to notice this detail of the facade of nearby building. It wasn’t until after I took this photo, however, that I realised that the cruciform finial in the middle is evidently made of cast iron! I’m not sure of the exact age of this building, but it is definitely over 100 years old. This king of thing makes me think about all the labourers and craftsmen who must have worked on it – all long since dead.
Accidents in the building trade were common; we tend to get frustrated by the amount of health and safety legislation, but we should be grateful for it!
This shot is one of several that I took yesterday. I love the wonderful shape and line, colouring, and all the features that make roses beautiful – including, of course, the scent, which sadly I can’t send to you over the internet.
But as I viewed this little set of pictures, a train of thought came into my mind: the roses I had photographed were not perfect. They would not have won any prizes in a flower show. One or two petals, as you can see here, were damaged and turning brown at the edges, or a little bit shrivelled. But wait – does that mean that these roses weren’t beautiful? Indeed, might they be even more beautiful for not having been sprayed and snipped to within an inch of their lives?
By now, many of you will have guessed where these musings are leading. We have an industry that depends, for its very existence, on convincing people, women in particular, that they must devote lots of time, effort, and most importantly, money, in the quest for bodily perfection of a kind that isn’t actually attainable without photo-editing software.
Ladies – and gentlemen, too – take care of yourselves, by all means, but don’t set out to be what you’re not, because an original is worth far more than a cheap copy.
Thank you for reading.
It's kind to share!
On a day out this week, I was able to make the most of the weather and time of year by visiting the Lea Rhododendron Gardens in Derbyshire. I love these flowers, and the profusion of different colours and varieties growing there is stunning. While some of them were past their very best, there were still lots of perfect blooms.
I find all flowers photogenic, but these are especially so. The name is derived from Greek words, and really just means ‘rose tree’ although they are completely different from what we think of as a rose. Many have flowers that are various shades of pink and red, it’s true, but there are lots of other colours as well.
I chose this shot because it shows the beautifully delicate nature of the petals; the whole display was a photographer’s paradise!
I always love seeing these vivid purple allium flowers. They are a marvellous combination of vivid colour and amazing shape and line. the blooms don’t last long, but one plant will have several blooms in succession. They have a faint scent, but enough to attract bees. This genus includes onions, garlic, and chives, so it’s little wonder that chive flowers are similar!
