NATURE
This page is dedicated to all the beauty there is around us in this astounding world. Nature can be appreciated in your own backyard as well as in the majesty of a forest or wildflower meadow. Just look around you, really look, and you will discover the beauty in everday flowers, plants, trees and even lichen and fungi.
GARDEN PHOTOS - SLIDESHOW
SNOWDROP
A macro photo of a garden snowdrop, taken from ground level.
A macro photo of a garden snowdrop, taken from ground level.
DAFFODIL
Another macro shot. This time a daffodil.
Another macro shot. This time a daffodil.
SPRING LEAVES
Beautiful backlit leaves soaking up the life-giving spring sunlight.
Beautiful backlit leaves soaking up the life-giving spring sunlight.
CATCHING THE LIGHT
A small plant sits in a woodland glade trying to catch the sun's light between the leaf canopy.
EVEN NETTLES CAN BE LOVELY !
Despite their sting (caused by small barbs of silica) even nettles can look lovely in the right light !
DO YOU LIKE LICHEN?
Lichen growing on a fallen tree.
FERN COILS
The dainty coils of a fern.
AQUILEGIA
To the garden now and the dainty flowers of the Aquilegia.
THE WILD SIDE OF THE GARDEN
Simple Foxgloves are lovely to have in a wild patch of your garden.
AFTER RAIN
After a shower is often a good time for flower photos. There is usually diffused light which brings out the saturation of colours and a sprinke of water on the plants.
After a shower is often a good time for flower photos. There is usually diffused light which brings out the saturation of colours and a sprinke of water on the plants.
STARGAZING LILY
A stunning garden flower.
STUDY IN YELLOW
A Ganzia.
A Ganzia.
RAINDROPS
Another simple shot taken after rain. It is important to have an uncluttered background for a shot like this.
Another simple shot taken after rain. It is important to have an uncluttered background for a shot like this.
BROOM
Broom grows everywhere in Devon & Cornwall and gives a welcome splash of colour to the green landscape.
SPRING DAFFODILS
A STUDY IN SCARLET
A close-up shot of the flower of a Trumpet Vine.
A close-up shot of the flower of a Trumpet Vine.
CAMELLIA
I love camellias because they bloom early yet last for quite a long time. This bush in our garden never fails to be a source of photos.
I love camellias because they bloom early yet last for quite a long time. This bush in our garden never fails to be a source of photos.
SWEET WILLIAM
DAHLIA, THE GARDEN HOUSE, PLYMOUTH
The stunning colour of these flowers attracted me but you need to select a good specimen with the correct light and with no insects ! (Nikon D90)
The stunning colour of these flowers attracted me but you need to select a good specimen with the correct light and with no insects ! (Nikon D90)
FRANGIPANI BLOSSOM
A delicate red Frangipani blossom in Sri Lanka (D7100)
A delicate red Frangipani blossom in Sri Lanka (D7100)
MAGNOLIA BLOSSOM
HIMALAYAN HONEYSUCKLE
SNOWDROP
The first sign of new life after winter.
The first sign of new life after winter.
ANEMONE
An Anemone photographed in our garden. The colours are different in ultraviolet which is how bees tens to see, so the flower looks like more of a target centring on the pollen producing stamens and the female carpels. (Nikon D7100)
An Anemone photographed in our garden. The colours are different in ultraviolet which is how bees tens to see, so the flower looks like more of a target centring on the pollen producing stamens and the female carpels. (Nikon D7100)
TULIPS
The hard sunny back-light and deep shadows appear to make these tulips float in mid-air. (Nikon D7100)
The hard sunny back-light and deep shadows appear to make these tulips float in mid-air. (Nikon D7100)
IRIS
A close-up shot of an Iris in our front garden. It is only in close-up that you can see the fine lines and markings on flowers, something the human eye normally misses. (Nikon D7100)
A close-up shot of an Iris in our front garden. It is only in close-up that you can see the fine lines and markings on flowers, something the human eye normally misses. (Nikon D7100)
A QUIET CORNER OF THE GARDEN
LILAC FLOWER
The tiny flowerlets of a Lilac blossom. (Nikon D7100) Lilac reminds me of my childhood.
The tiny flowerlets of a Lilac blossom. (Nikon D7100) Lilac reminds me of my childhood.
WATER BEADS ON JAPANESE MAPLE
RAIN ON VINE
CHERRY BLOSSOM BUDS
Spring has sprung ! I took the opportunity of some spring sunshine to photograph the early blossom on the cherry tree in our garden. Unfortunately, it doesn't last long but it is lovely while it lasts. (Nikon D7100)
Spring has sprung ! I took the opportunity of some spring sunshine to photograph the early blossom on the cherry tree in our garden. Unfortunately, it doesn't last long but it is lovely while it lasts. (Nikon D7100)
ORCHIDS
Orchids are simple and elegant indoor flowers.
Orchids are simple and elegant indoor flowers.
POPPY, THE GARDEN HOUSE, PLYMOUTH
An exercise in using Photoshop Elements 11 to isolate a colour. The background of various greens was removed using desaturation of every hue except red. Success with first attempt. Elements 11 seems very good but takes quite a bit of patience and understanding. (Nikon D90 & Photoshop Elements 11)
An exercise in using Photoshop Elements 11 to isolate a colour. The background of various greens was removed using desaturation of every hue except red. Success with first attempt. Elements 11 seems very good but takes quite a bit of patience and understanding. (Nikon D90 & Photoshop Elements 11)
ROSES
Surely roses are the most popular garden flower with hundreds of varieties.
Surely roses are the most popular garden flower with hundreds of varieties.
WATER LILIES
A welcome addition to any pond giving oxygen to the water, shelter to fish and beauty to the beholder.
LEAVES
Generally the back of a leaf is more interesting than the front of the leaf because of the structure of veins.
Generally the back of a leaf is more interesting than the front of the leaf because of the structure of veins.
JAPANESE MAPLE (ACER) LEAVES
FEATHER ON A LEAF
DEAD CHERRY LEAF
REAR OF A PETUNIA
The texture is almost as interesting as the flower face.
The texture is almost as interesting as the flower face.
OLD & NEW
A solitary dead leaf ushers in the winter but the prospect of new spring life remain in the bud. (NIKON D90)
A solitary dead leaf ushers in the winter but the prospect of new spring life remain in the bud. (NIKON D90)
CORNFLOWERS
Fast disappearing from the countryside. These were spotted in a roadside verge in Pembrokeshire.
Fast disappearing from the countryside. These were spotted in a roadside verge in Pembrokeshire.
CUCKOO SPIT
Cuckoo Spit is a frothy substance constructed by froghopper nymphs to protect themselves from predators.
WILD GRASSES & SEED HEADS
POND REEDS
WILLOW CATKINS
HORSE-CHESTNUT BLOSSOM
The lovely blossom of a horse-chestnut tree. (Nikon D7100)
The lovely blossom of a horse-chestnut tree. (Nikon D7100)
NATURES BOUNTY
Wild rose hips at Saltram House, Plymouth. (NIKON D90)
Wild rose hips at Saltram House, Plymouth. (NIKON D90)
DANDELION "CLOCK"
A simple Dandelion seed head is a gardener's nightmare as it means lots of potential weeds. The Dandelion is named from the French "Dent de lion" or lion's tooth, describing the shape of the leaves. The seed head is usually called a "clock" and frequently used in children's games of blowing the seeds. Regardless, it makes a nice photograph against a dark background. (Nikon D7100)
A simple Dandelion seed head is a gardener's nightmare as it means lots of potential weeds. The Dandelion is named from the French "Dent de lion" or lion's tooth, describing the shape of the leaves. The seed head is usually called a "clock" and frequently used in children's games of blowing the seeds. Regardless, it makes a nice photograph against a dark background. (Nikon D7100)
TEXTURE
Nature is full of texture and encourages you to take a closer look at everything around you.
BIRCH BARK
OLD WOOD
The end grain on an old plank of wood. (Nikon D7100)
The end grain on an old plank of wood. (Nikon D7100)
RAINDROPS ON SPIDER'S WEB
BUMBLE BEE
Bumble Bees are reducing in number but we always seem to have quite a few in the garden. I am not very good at getting sharp images of insects, I need more practice !
Bumble Bees are reducing in number but we always seem to have quite a few in the garden. I am not very good at getting sharp images of insects, I need more practice !
GARDENER'S NIGHTMARE !
A close-up of a common garden snail. The markings on the shell are very similar to tortoiseshell. (Nikon D7100)
A close-up of a common garden snail. The markings on the shell are very similar to tortoiseshell. (Nikon D7100)
SCARLET BASKER DRAGONFLY
This brilliantly coloured Dragonfly was photographed in a hotel garden in Sri Lanka.
This brilliantly coloured Dragonfly was photographed in a hotel garden in Sri Lanka.
HELLO !
A small blue damselfly looks out onto the huge world of our pond.
A small blue damselfly looks out onto the huge world of our pond.
A Dragonfly this time uses the pond as a hunting ground.
FATHER AND SON
I liked the repetition of shapes in this fallen tree at Saltram House, Plymouth. (NIKON D90)
ANCIENT SPIRITS
The ancient twin spirits of trees and water meet at Burrator Reservoir. Ripples through time.
(Nikon D7100)
The ancient twin spirits of trees and water meet at Burrator Reservoir. Ripples through time.
(Nikon D7100)
WEEDS & WILD FLOWERS
A weed is simply a plant growing where a gardener or farmer doesn't want it. Many weeks have pretty little flowers as shown here.
GERMANDER SPEEDWELL
This is Germander Speedwell which looks a bit like garden mint but with lovely little blue flowers. (Nikon D7100)
This is Germander Speedwell which looks a bit like garden mint but with lovely little blue flowers. (Nikon D7100)
GREATER STITCHWORT
Greater Stitchwort is a beautiful little weed with delicate white flowers. Stitchworts were once thought to cure stitches (pain) in the side. (Nikon D7100)
HERB ROBERT
This hairy plant with a delicate pink flower is Herb Robert which was once used as a cure for toothache and nosebleeds. It is a form of geranium. (Nikon D7100)
This hairy plant with a delicate pink flower is Herb Robert which was once used as a cure for toothache and nosebleeds. It is a form of geranium. (Nikon D7100)
PALE BLUEBELL
A small fly rests on a pale bluebell. There are many spring bluebells on a large roundabout near our local hospital. (Nikon D7100)
A small fly rests on a pale bluebell. There are many spring bluebells on a large roundabout near our local hospital. (Nikon D7100)
BLUEBELL CARPET
This typical woodland scene was in fact photographed in one of the busiest roundabouts in Plymouth near the hospital. (Nikon D7100)
This typical woodland scene was in fact photographed in one of the busiest roundabouts in Plymouth near the hospital. (Nikon D7100)
IVY-LEAVED TOADFLAX
Another delicate little wall plant. All these plants need is a small crack to develop. (Nikon D7100)
Another delicate little wall plant. All these plants need is a small crack to develop. (Nikon D7100)
MAIDENHAIR SPLEENWORT
This splendidly named plant is a delicate little fern found on many walls and rocks. (Nikon D7100)
This splendidly named plant is a delicate little fern found on many walls and rocks. (Nikon D7100)
NATURE WILL FIND A WAY
Nature tends to win through in the most adverse of circumstances. Here a plant survives in the low light and poor soil of an old forge in Devon. (Nikon D7100)
Nature tends to win through in the most adverse of circumstances. Here a plant survives in the low light and poor soil of an old forge in Devon. (Nikon D7100)
STREET BEAUTY
A small plant grows in the gutter of a London road.
A small plant grows in the gutter of a London road.
HOVERFLY
A hoverfly on our garden pond.
A hoverfly on our garden pond.
LITTLE JEWELS
Raindrops caught on a spider's web.
Raindrops caught on a spider's web.
A SIMPLE MARIGOLD
JUMPER ON A JUMPER
A grasshopper that took a liking to my laundry drying in the garden.
A grasshopper that took a liking to my laundry drying in the garden.
AUTUMN LEAF
AUTUMN HEDGEROW
AUTUMN COLOUR
WINTER IN THE GARDEN
ORCHID
Some shots of a house plant.
Some shots of a house plant.
SPRING PRIMROSES
MAY (HAWTHORN) BLOSSOM
DANDELION "CLOCK" SEEDHEAD
GOLDEN LEAVES
BACKLIT NEW LEAVES
DEAD WOOD
RHAPSODY IN BLUE
A garden Anemone.
A garden Anemone.
TO THE POINT
Thorns on a bramble (blackberry bush)
Thorns on a bramble (blackberry bush)
SPRING GROWTH
VENUS FLY TRAP
Nature's way of obtaining essential nutrients.
Nature's way of obtaining essential nutrients.
LITTLE GEMS
Water droplets on a leaf.
Water droplets on a leaf.
Autumn Leaves
Autumn is a bonanza for nuts and fruits like these Blackberries.
Above all autumn means beautiful colour.
Magnolia buds.
White Daffodil
Cactus leaf
Spring Daffodils