My April Challenge - Day 24

The weather was a bit better today but still a bit breezy for decent flower shots. I managed yet another blossom shot. This time it is Wild Cherry which is different from the pink blossom of the Japanese Cherry that I posted the other day. I find it amazing that these blossoms are distinctly different. This one is quite delicate with yellow/orange anthers on the tip of the stamens.




If Sandra is reading this - notice the diagonal!

On another subject - we heard the first cuckoo last weekend and I saw the first Swallows today, so someone thinks summer is here!

My April Challenge - Day 23

Defeated by the weather today. It has rained virtually all day and is still raining. Not even any opportunity to pick something and bring it indoors as everything is drenched.

I am therefore posting one of my backup shots that I took between the showers yesterday. If you look closely at these cowslips, you will see some of the raindrops.

Hoping for better weather tomorrow.

My April Challenge - Day 22

A couple of years ago, I bought this flower as an experiment. Because most of our flowers are eaten by deer, I am always trying to find things they don't eat. I had noticed a few years ago that there was some Yellow Corydalis growing wild which they did not eat. When I saw a blue variety in the garden centre I thought I would give it a try.

Well, it has not been eaten yet, so I will probably go out and buy some more. So, my flower for today is Blue Corydalis, which, when you look closely is rather attractive.

My April Challenge - Day 21

I was out first thing this morning before the rain set in trying to capture some wider shots rather than close-ups. I was not happy with any of them.

So, when I got home this afternoon, I dashed out between the showers and got this one which I am quite happy with. I wanted to wait a few days before shooting the tree peonies because they are spectacular blooms when they open completely. This one has only just started to open but I loved the rain drops on it.

My April Challenge - Day 20

Seriously lacking in time to do a decent job on these photos. The blustery weather does not help. There were some very heavy showers today. Good for the garden but not for photography.

Today's offering is another weird tree flower that most people do not notice - ash. The strange motley white stuff in the background is a huge cherry tree in blossom behind.

My April Challenge - Day 19

I was out most of the day so unable to shoot anything when the weather was reasonable. By the time I got home, the rain had started again and I was forced to cut a bit of cherry blossom to photograph indoors.

I love macro. I love the intricacy of the stamens and the delicate nature of the petals of this little piece of blossom. It is not the best shot in the world but all I had time for.

My April Challenge - Day 18

Bad day!

The weather was lousy - wind and very heavy showers. The barometer is lower than I have seen it in a long time. I went out to try to pick a flower to photograph indoors, but most were tightly shut!

I am almost too embarassed to post today's photo because it is not good. But, this is a challenge and I have to post something whether good or bad.

My subject was a tiny little flower called Moschatel or Townhall Clock. The flower head is about half a centimeter diameter, so I could hardly see what I was doing. The flower head consists of 5 flowers, 4 of which point in opposite directions - yes, like a townhall clock. The 5th flower points upwards.

It is an ugly little flower but quite fascinating to look at close-up. This photo was taken with the 60mm macro lens, a 25mm extension tube and the Raynox. Taking photos with this setup highlights all the dust on my sensor - so much that you could grow potatoes in it. Note to self - get sensor cleaned at the end of the challenge.

So, apologies for this effort . . .