Beside the bridleway

The bridleway stretches for almost one mile, fringed on both sides, at this time, by cow parsley throughout its entire length.  I am not a great lover of cow parsley, but I am attracted by the ‘architecture’ of the growth beneath the canopy of white florets.

I have chosen to lightly posterize this image to draw attention to the pattern, lines and textures rather than present a straight photo of cow parsley.

Pond fountain

My small garden pond  –  and it is very small  –  is a constant source of pleasure.  The sound of running water, the changing patterns of bubbles, the flashes of gold from the fish, the leaves and flowers of the water lilies etc, all combine to soothe the frenzied brow and create a relaxing diversion from the busy world.  High on this ‘purr list’ is the sight of water gushing joyfully from the fountain.  In this photo I have attempted to capture an impression of the moment rather than a freeze-frame replica.

The Old Fishseller revisited

For the benefit of those who think I’m completely crazy I’ve highlighted the images I saw within yesterday’s picture  –  the fish, top left; the fishseller beneath, wearing a headscarf and looking towards the bottom left corner (the shape of the nose and the cheek bone suggested age!)

The Old Fishseller

Sometimes pictures within pictures emerge unexpectedly and uninvited!  For example, the image below began life as a photo of some strands of seaweed.  I decided to remove the background and allow just a few of the strands to form a random, abstract pattern.  I also decided to use just two contrasting colours.  The result was the first image below:

Image 1

But when I rotated the image 90 degrees clockwise (Image 2) I distinctly saw a fish and the head of an old fishseller.  Or is it just my imagination?

Image 2

The birth of a fern

It is fascinating at this time to watch, day by day, the fronds of ferns slowly unfurl and the blades of the young leaves take shape.  The circular shape at the end of the frond figures prominently in Maori art.  It is known to the Maoris as a koru and symbolises new life, growth, strength and peace.

Raindrops on the table (2)

I feel this black and white transformation of yesterday’s picture conveys quite a different feel.  The liquid quality of the original has solidified and the raindrops have become as pebbles in the bed of a stream!  Both pictures have their merits and I’m not sure which I prefer.  But then, I don’t have to choose!

Click to enlarge

Raindrops on the table

Following heavy showers overnight, raindrops collected on the glass top of the patio table and formed attractive abstract patterns.  The teal colouring of the table’s base is reflected through the wet surface.

Click to enlarge

The Meadow

The first of these photographs was taken about three weeks ago: the second, earlier this week in the same meadow.  Most of the flowers have gone; most of the seeds dispersed leaving, to my eyes, a delightful abstract pattern.  In just a few weeks this same field will be teeming with buttercups and a few weeks later will be full of flowering grasses, ready to be mown for hay.  It is a natural meadow  –  no artificial fertilizers here  – and has belonged to the same family for more than two centuries  But now there is a cloud on the horizon and its future is unsure.

The first Red Campion

Much of my photography serves as a diary recording or celebrating experiences and happenings, however small, as they occur.  Today’s picture belongs to this category.  Three days ago, beside the bridle way, I glimpsed the first red campion of the year, nestling beneath the young cow parsley.  At present it is alone, but no doubt it will soon be joined by others.  It may not be a technically accomplished photo but the joy it records was immense.

Red Campion

Rotting gate post

A few years ago the sheep field next to our house acquired a new gate; a modern, tubular steel model.  The old wooden gate post was left lying at the edge of the field, slowly rotting away, with interesting patterns and textures forming.

Yellow feeling

This picture is intended as semi- abstract pattern in yellow.  Yes, its source is fairly clear but try to close down the left brain, the logical/reasoning side, and focus on the feeling/the mood evoked by the various shades of yellow.  It would help if you click the image to enlarge it.  The purpose is not to make clear the details but rather to increase the expanse of yellow.  Enjoy this ‘yellow feeling’ for its own sake.

How was it for you?  What feeling(s) did you experience?

Shell

I was tidying up the flower border yesterday when I noticed a small snail’s shell ‘sparkling’ against the dark, damp soil.  It was little more than a centimetre in diameter and its former occupant had left  –  presumably assisted by a hungry bird.  But the sheer beauty of this small shell was something I needed to record and share with others.

Just think about it (11)

‘It’s not what you’re taking that’s important, it’s what you have to say with what you’re taking.’     David Lee on photography.

Yours and mine

These trees provide an attractive divide between two fields at the edge of our village.  A stream follows a similar line just a few feet beyond the trees.

Click to enlarge

Bawdsey seaweed

The seaweed at Bawdsey also displays interesting colours, shapes, textures and patterns  –  as well as a certain similarity with creatures of the deep.

Click to enlarge

Patterns at my feet

Whilst walking on the seashore last week, looking for anything unusual that might have been left behind by the ebbing tide, I became increasingly attracted to the pebbles themselves.  In fact, it was a shingle beach so the pebbles were very small  –  the largest not more than 3cms across  –  and yet the variety of shapes, colours, textures and patterns was fascinating.  How easy it is to overlook the familiar!

The Negotiators

During our recent three days break in Suffolk I took quite a few photos of reeds bordering the lakes.  The image below caught my eye because I immediately saw some form of encounter taking place between the group on the left and the group on the right.  The nature of their exchange I leave to your imagination.

The Negotiators

Lakeside sketches

These are a few of the other images of the lakes at Bawdsey.

Click to enlarge

Seashells

The first two photos are of the same shell, or, rather, of several shells welded together by time  –  almost fossilised.  I have shown the inside and outside to give some indication of the layers of shell.  At the same time the pictures create interesting natural abstract patterns. 

Inner shell

Outer shell

Peacock in April!

During my walk along our lane yesterday (30 April) I came across this splendid fellow (or madam  –  I don’t know about these things) basking in the sun and feeding on the dandelion.  It seems unusually early for a Peacock to be around in these parts.

Peacock in April

                                                                                                            Click to enlarge