Exploded

The Formula 1 British Grand Prix was held today at Silverstone.

For those of us not able to be there, Mercedes Benz World at historic Brooklands was the next best place to be. Luckily for me it’s just up the road too 🙂

I had hoped for a Lewis Hamilton win, in his Mercedes, but this wasn’t to be his day in what was one of the most dramatic races I’ve ever seen. I applaud him for making it all the way back through the field to finish 4th!

Lewis was the first to fall victim to an exploding left rear tyre. Three more exploded during the course of the race causing further controversy over the poorly performing Pirelli tyres this season!

I’d already planned to photograph this extraordinary installation, by Dutch artist Paul Veroude entitled “View Suspended II“, for today’s image and the events of the race made it feel even more appropriate.

Natrix Natrix

I spent the afternoon at RHS Wisley Gardens with my parents today. We had great fun hunting for wildlife, feeding the ducks, watching boats on the lake and enjoying the sunshine.

I’d set myself a challenge today, to photograph the grass snake (natrix natrix) that had evaded me earlier in the week!

It took until the end of the day, when visitors had almost all gone, before she ventured out onto her rock to soak up the sun.

I was so thrilled to get some images of her as she’s very shy. Stealth and patience has finally paid off though with this photo of her scenting the air with her tongue.

I hope to see more of her over the summer!

Bagpuss, Dear Bagpuss

Weekly Photo Challenge: Companionable
Share a picture of a COMPANION and explain why you chose that picture.

Okay, so this one sent me all sentimental! Firstly, I still miss our cat Pixel so much. He was a wonderful companion.

Secondly, the theme brought to mind childhood toys and TV shows. Bagpuss is still watched and loved by millions! How could anyone not love him?

So here we are with my one constant companion, my camera 🙂

“And so their work was done.
Bagpuss gave a big yawn and settled down to sleep
And, of course, when Bagpuss goes to sleep,
All his friends go to sleep too.
The mice were ornaments on the mouse organ.
Gabriel and Madeleine were just dolls.
Professor Yaffle was a carved, wooden bookend in the shape of a woodpecker.
Even Bagpuss himself, once he was asleep, was just an old, saggy cloth cat,
Baggy, and a bit loose at the seams,
But Emily loved him” – Oliver Postgate

Goodnight everyone x

Watch The Birdie!

There are a lot of fledgeling birds in the garden now! It’s a cacophony of peeps, tweets and pips amongst the hedgerows.

The adult Blue Tits are teaching their youngsters to come to the overflow pipe for a quick drink. Some are getting the hang of it quicker than others!

The adults look pretty ragged, in fact the adult Great Tit is completely bald! Her young are still (noisily) in the nest. My lovely Coal Tit’s are really looking very sorry for themselves.

The Robins appear randomly from under the shrubbery to jump for flies and dig for worms. It was hard to get close to them today but I have some food-bribery to tempt them with tomorrow 😉

They really are all such a joy to watch!

Heaven Scent

I’ve brought you back home to our own community gardens today.

Brian, the resident behind so much of the beauty in our gardens, is so clever with companion planting!

Not only is the peachy orange of the rose enhanced by the blue of the surrounding lavender but, oh, the scent!

Whenever I need a quick pick-me-up I really do just go outside and smell the roses 🙂

The Hunter

Such a lovely sight to watch the pied wagtails skimming over the waters of The Glasshouse Lake at RHS Wisley today.

The juveniles were just beyond the range of my lens but this adult posed proudly with a damselfly clasped in its beak.

Light Flower

Daily Prompt: Morality Play

Where do your morals come from — your family? Your faith? Your philosophical worldview? How do you deal with those who don’t share them, or derive them from a different source?

Photographers, artists, poets: show us THE SOURCE.

For myself, as a visual artist, the source has always been light.

As a person, my source is in nature.

Even when I’m painting with just light and colour, my love of nature, the beauty and forms of living things, tends to influence my composition.

It’s often quite subconscious but I do enjoy the results 🙂 I hope you do too!

I Can’t Sparkle All The Time

So very tired……

No!

Daily Prompt: No, Thank You
Photographers, artists, poets: show us NO.

“GET OUT OF MY KITCHEN!”

He’s not that rude really! I do sometimes offer to help with dinner but the answer is always “No, thank you! Your job is to sit there and look pretty.”

The Eye Of The Beholder

Weekly Photo Challenge: The World Through Your Eyes

IN A NEW POST CREATED SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS CHALLENGE, SHARE A PICTURE OF THE WORLD THROUGH YOUR EYES.

• Observe a scene first before lifting your camera to your eye.
• Ask yourself: What is the subject? What will you (not) include in the frame?
• Look for natural lines or frames in the shot to guide the viewer’s eye.
• Try different angles: Get low on the pavement. Look down from above.

Take a look at the World through my eyes and you’ll see beauty everywhere!