Clear signs of Spring 11 - # 09/55

Don't believe everything you see. http://blog.richardtugwell.com/index.cfm/2009/4/6/On-the-Zriberg.

Is this the proof that the biblical story about planting a rod and seeing it spring up as a lively tree actually has validity? Well, yes. We all know that the allegory is correct.

This is the last in the series "Clear signs of Spring".

Clear signs of Spring 10 - # 09/54

A clear sign of Spring is: "delicate frondy things"

Clear signs of Spring 9 - # 09/53

Ephemera...........(Yesterday's Post # 09/52: white blooms, close up.)

Clear signs of Spring 8 - # 09/52

Magnolias and early blossoms shower down in swirling masses to create a magic carpet that will soon fade.

Clear signs of Spring 6 - # 09/50

One can't imagine anything more uplifting and Springlike than these magnificent specimens alongside a stream in the Isabella Plantation, Richmond Park.

Clear signs of Spring 5.5 - # 09/49

......OK, the yellow and green go back in. I certainly don't want to upset anyone over Easter.

Good wishes to all of you.

Clear signs of Spring 5 - # 09/48

"Follow the light". The Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park is gradually re-awakening. The Magnolias have flowered; we now wait for the Azaleas. The tiny streams are flowing freely with fresh water draining from the natural springs in the Park.

I confess to de-saturating the greens and yellows and increasing visibility of the natural reflection of the sky in the stream. (Perhaps I should have left the green and yellow tones as they were. I was most interested in the effect of the stream and the path of light when I took the photo). When playing about I was surprised to see the effects achieved just by a very tiny alteration in the White Balance.

Camera: Olympus E3. Lens: Olympus 9 - 18mm set at 9mm and locked at f6.3

Clear signs of Spring 4a - # 09/46

The rising angle of the sun begins to bless the northern hemisphere after a rather grim winter. The very clear light and the changing season bring dramatic skies and cloud effects that delight the eye. The large trees are still bare skeletons, the shrubs are greening up.

This is a long winded way of saying: "Bet you didn't expect this for a Spring shot!" The lighting effect was briefly quite dramatic and then passed on, carried away by a brisk breeze. I couldn't resist it. This is my vision of that moment.

Wood seen as a reflector of light - # 08/103

Perhaps I shouldn't do this on a City Daily Photo...but I have so there.

We are in Richmond Park, in the Isabella Plantation. This large log has been cut to make a seat. It has become a bit polished by many trousers and the weather is working away at the grain.

The sun is strong and the light bounces back, almost as if firing a flashlight into a mirror. It's another one of the natural beauties to be seen in the Park.

Light shining through ferns - # 08/101

Walking through the Water Garden in the Isabella Plantation , Richmond Park I enjoyed the way the sunlight shone through the lush, green ferns. B&W makes it look like a huge, mysterious jungle.

How do we capture Spring? - # 08/97

Yesterday Richard made an interesting comment about the Mr. Fox photo. I have been trying to capture the amazing carpet of wild flowers we have around here at the moment. Each attempt seems to defy the technology of photography...or my mastery of it.

Richard pointed out the "Impressionist" effect. Indeed, day by day my transit through the Petersham Copse is assailed by the vision of the "pointilliste" painters. This looks great on a French painter's canvas but confusing and annoying in a colour photo, and B&W totally fails.

Richard is right when he questions Mr. Fox's presence. But wrong in thinking it was the fox that provoked the picture. The picture wanted to capture the carpet of "pointilliste" Spring flowers. The fox suddenly popped up, and being a sucker for fury animals I included him.

What do you think? Was the picture worth seeing without the fox? Should I have risked the "no-fox" version?

Today I'm practicing (not very well) my macro shots. See: http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/richmond_park/isabella_plantation.cfm

Push off, Matey!! - # 94

Caught in the act! A male Muscovy duck, in the Isabella Plantation, Richmond Park, tries to approach a lady. But her boyfriend arrives and sees him off. The ripples indicate some high powered paddling beneath the surface!

A walk around Richmond Park 6 - # 71

Another gem in the centre of the Park is the approx 8 hectare (17 acres?) Isabella Plantation. This photo is not a special set piece - it is simply a typical shot of anywhere in the garden. The damp acid soil is planted with rhododendrons, heathers, azaleas and there are numerous small drainage streams where beautiful water and shade-loving plants flourish. The clearings have ponds full of Mallard and Muscovy ducks and coots. Soon the azaleas will appear....the colour display will be stunning. You can only reach the Isabella Plantation by walking some miles across the park (carefully passing the herds of red and fallow deer), but there is special provision for cars to bring disabled people right up to it, and electric powered chairs are provided. This is one of London's "must see" spots if you are a long-stay visitor.