Bluebells at Crosswood

One of the best places that I have found locally to see the classic British Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) is at a place called Trawscoed (Crosswood in English) in Ceredigion in Mid-Wales. This year these were at their best in late April and Early May. If you are in the area at the appropriate time they are well worth a visit - I paid several visits to ensure I had some good pictures.

Trawscoed lies along the banks of the Ystwyth River and walking along this river, you will see patches of bluebells at other locations - the first picture above was taken at one such location.


The second picture below was taken along a path by the river Ystwyth at Trawscoed. This shows the classic British deciduous woodland setting of a path bordered by the wonderful drifts of blue flowers. Most of the trees are Beech, with some Oak. Absolute magic.




This third picture shows the complete plant. Notice how the top of the plant bends over as the bluebells grow only on one side of the stem. Because they are a protected species, Spanish Bluebells have been imported for people to have in their gardens. Unfortunately, in some parts of the UK, these are now displacing the native species. The imported variety has the flowers growing all around the stem so that they do not hang like the British version does.




More photos of the bluebells can be seen in the environment gallery.

Technical details:
Camera: Canon EOS350D
Lens: Canon 17-85mm IS zoom lens
Sensitivity: Mostly ISO200
Lighting: Natural light. Some photos were taken on overcast days but most on sunny days, hence the dappled light.
Other: A monopod was used for many pictures to help steady the camera.

Spotted orchids in flower

For a few years now, we have been watching these spotted orchids growing and spreading. They started off as just a few plants along the top of one field. Now the plants have spread along the length of this field, some way down it, and across to a second field. We have helped them propagate by being careful with how we manage the field: when it is cut and when we allow livestock to graze it. So I did not feel guilty about picking the flower stem of one plant to photograph indoors (it has been a wet week making close-up photography difficult outdoors).

Looking at my reference books it appears to be a spotted orchid (Dactylorhiza), but I cannot determine which one. It looks similar to the common (fuchsii), heath and moorland (maculata) species - but not quite the same as either!

The first picture is a close-up of the middle of the flower spike.

This second photo is a close up centred on one of the flowers:




This third photograph shows the whole flower spike:




The complete set of pictures can be seen in the flora section of the Environment Gallery.

Technical details:
Camera Canon EOS350D
Lens: older Canon 100mm macro lens
Sensitivity: ISO200
Lighting: Off camera flashgun diffused through a Lastolite diffuser.
Other: Taken indoors using a studio made from a cardboard box

Fungi in Spring

Whilst doing some clearing up around the smallholding this week, I discovered this small group of fungi growing out of the top of an old tree stump. Although I know that some kinds of fungi grow all year round, or at different times of the year, I was surprised to see this clump growing in late spring.

As they were in a shaded 'wildlife' area, amongst some low trees and shrubs (and loads of brambles), the light levels were quite low, so that I needed to use a tripod to hold the camera steady. The sun was quite bright so I used a diffuser to spread the light on some photographs, on others I kept the dappled light.

The top picture shows the fungus group in its entirety on the tree stump. You will notice that there is ivy growing through the fungus - I don't know what came first, the ivy or the fungus.

The second picture shown below is of a small group growing a few inches away from the main cluster. I think these are juvenile versions of the same fungus as the look similar to the small ones in the main group.



This third picture is a close-up of some in the main cluster - I was fascinated by the way this group of 3 were staggered above each other.



The complete set of pictures can be seen in the fungi section of the Environment Gallery.

Technical details:
Camera EOS350D
Lens: 17-85mm IS zoom+ older 100mm macro lens
Sensitivity: ISO200
Lighting: Natural light through trees, most using a Lastolite diffuser (similar to a couple of layers of white muslin).
Other: There was a slight breeze moving the leaves.

Cactus flower close-ups

During the spring, many of the (few) cacti that I have burst into life by showing some amazing flowers. Often the difficulty is catching them when they are open - some last only a day or so. I check the progress of the buds most mornings (I keep the plants in a polytunnel) but even so, some have flowered and gone within a day, hence I miss their beauty.

The picture above is of a flower, one of two, that one cactus develops every year. The photograph is this week's 'Photograph of the week'. The plant came from my late father-in-law when he became too old to bother with them (if anyone can identify the cactus I would be pleased to hear from them). These flowers are about 3 inches across at the end of a long trumpet-like stem about 6 or 8 inches long.

The colour is a most delicate pale pink, bordering on violet, almost white in places. I believe I have got the colour about right in these images.

The picture below is a closer view of the same flower. I had trouble deciding which would make the best image for the 'Picture of the Week'.




This third photograph is from the centre of a larger flower - fully open it must be about 4 inches across. This is a deeper pink with a dark green stigma that has a white covering like a frost would give.




This final photograph is a close up of a yellow flower. In bright sunlight the colour is gorgeous - this is the nearest I can get to it in a photograph. The reality beats the photo but the reality only lasts a few days!



These, and more, can be viewed in the close-up album of the Portfolio Gallery.

Technical details:
Camera EOS350D + older 100mm macro lens
Sensitivity: ISO200
Lighting: Off camera flashgun through a Lastolite diffuser (similar to a couple of layers of white muslin).
Other: Studio was a cardboard box with black card for the background. Camera and flashgun supported on tripods.