A Week of Firsts

Published on by Catherine35 Comments

It’s been a week of firsts. The first full pot of Narcissus ‘Tete a Tete’ has bloomed and I’ve spotted the first spring blues in the borders. I’ve been waiting for my tiny Violas to bloom and this week they obliged. My first order from a newly-found herb nursery arrived, followed by a delivery of new pelargoniums. Here is my selection for this week’s Six on Saturday.

Six on Saturday

Narcissus ‘Tete a Tete’. New bulbs, planted last autumn have flowered and they’re a joyful sight. Our house has a deep canopy that spans the front and is sheltered. I’ve recently realised that it’s the perfect spot to place pots of spring bulbs, particularly during a very wet winter. I just wish I’d moved the tulip pots there too. I didn’t foresee quite as much rain as we’ve had these past months.

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Blooms in the Breeze

Published on by Catherine33 Comments

Here on the Ayrshire coast, we’ve had a good week of mostly sunny, albeit very blustery and cold, days. The chilly temperatures were bearable as long as I was bundled up, and I did my best to be outdoors at every opportunity. Although I grumbled (a lot) about the cold that the strong north-easterly wind was bringing, I’ve got to admit, it was better than the constant rain we’ve been enduring. It was wonderful to wake in the morning to sunshine filtering through the windows and the birds twittering in the trees.

However, another Saturday has arrived, so let’s get on with this week’s selection of garden images.

Six on Saturday

Tulip humilis. Despite being in the shade, a beam of low sunlight has illuminated one of the emerging tulips, giving it a lovely glow. The hazy effect surrounding it was created by the nearby leaves blowing wildly in the wind. Despite the wind, Tulip humilis stood its ground. A surprisingly strong little flower! I’m looking forward to seeing the other flowers pop up in the pot.

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Shooting Low

Published on by Catherine22 Comments

This is the first post in a short and occasional series about how I take my garden photographs. I’m not an expert in garden photography, but after being asked the question, I thought I could share my thoughts on how I take my photographs. I hope you’ll join in and put your ideas forward as we all photograph in different ways, whether with a camera or a phone. Your conversations will be most welcome.

The Magic Of Low-Angle Flower Photography 

We’re all accustomed to looking at plants and flowers from our own height but one recent post raised some comments I thought I’d address in this first post. When you get down to the level of a short flower or plant, you see it differently – more beautifully. It’s more akin to looking at a vase full of lovely flowers on a table – they’re closer to eye level. Here is a little insight into how I approach taking photos of low-growing flowers and plants.

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Photographing in Our Gardens

Published on by Catherine4 Comments

I was asked some time ago if I could post a few ideas about photographing flowers. To be clear, I’m not an expert in garden photography, there are far more experienced people out there who take better photographs, but I thought I could perhaps share my thoughts on how I take my photographs.

Comparing ideas and thoughts can lead to new ways of thinking and fresh ways of creating images, so it would be lovely to hear your approach to photographing in your garden.

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Winter into Spring

Published on by Catherine35 Comments

Six on Saturday

The transition of winter to spring is beginning and at last, bulbs in my garden are starting to bloom, adding little pops of colour to borders and containers. They’re a welcome sight.

Crocus. These fragile-looking little crocuses were quivering in the wind, but I have to tell you they were hardier than me, and it took a big bowl of hot soup to warm me up when I made it back indoors! Look how well these freshly emerged crocuses have held up against heavy rain and strong winds. Nature is amazing!

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