A hint of Eden

I love walking around the garden at this time of year, enjoying the spring sunshine and looking at all the new growth taking place. The Crocuses (top) seem to be one of the earliest to make a move, not afraid of a night or two of frost. The beautiful bright red Anemone, meaning ‘daughter of the wind’, is the middle photo, then last but not least comes the much-loved Daffodil, that inspired Wordsworth to pen:

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze

There is a deep stirring of the soul that takes place upon encountering all the new colour bursting forth from the greys and browns of Winter. The subdued silvery light of cold short days gives way to the yellowy warmth of the Spring light and the anticipation of the Summer to come. Perhaps it is a hint of Eden, of new life and new beginnings, the old is passing away, the new has come…

Many are the plans…

Blogging seems to have deserted me for the last while.  I think it has been good to step back, to not be so obsessed (as is my want) with taking lots and lots of photos (and in so doing ironically miss out in appreciating that which I am photographing).

Here’s a picture taken at Dinas Cross, near Fishguard shortly after Easter.  It was a beautiful spring day…

(Nikon D7000, Nikkor 35mm dx lens, ISO 220, f16, 1/125 sec)

Oh, the title is from Proverbs 19:21

Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

A cold and frosty morning

This was the view from the other side of our garden wall at 8 o’clock this morning.  Now that we are officially in to Spring, it seems that Winter is reluctant to bid farewell just yet…

Growth

Some recent photos of things coming to life (at last) …

 

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All photos taken with Nikon F100 film camera and Nikkor 28-105 D lens (except the last one taken with Nikon D70s digital camera but using the same lens).  Film used was Kodak Ektar 100 and Kodak Portra 160VC.

Early Spring

Lines Written in Early Spring, William Wordsworth (1798) (Link)

I heard a thousand blended notes, While in a grove I sate reclined, In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts Bring sad thoughts to the mind. To her fair works did Nature link The human soul that through me ran; And much it grieved my heart to think What man has made of man. Through primrose tufts, in that green bower, The periwinkle trailed its wreaths; And ’tis my faith that every flower Enjoys the air it breathes. The birds around me hopped and played, Their thoughts I cannot measure:– But the least motion which they made It seemed a thrill of pleasure. The budding twigs spread out their fan, To catch the breezy air; And I must think, do all I can, That there was pleasure there. If this belief from heaven be sent, If such be Nature’s holy plan, Have I not reason to lament What man has made of man?

Garden Colour Part Two

See how the lilies of the field grow.  They do not labour or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these.  

(Matthew 6:28b, 29)

Well Spring has sprung a bit more since last time.  If ever you are thinking about a film for showing off colour (whether it be in your garden, landscapes or even for portraits) may I humbly recommend Fuji’s Reala 100.  Seeing as only strange people like me use film these days I got twenty rolls of this film off eBay for £20!  All these pictures were taken with a Nikon F100 and 28-105 AF-D lens.  

Quick, hurry, the sun has come out (for half an hour).

Panasonic LX1, f4, 1/250 sec, -0.33 EV, ISO 80, 34 mm equivalent (click to enlarge)

Panasonic LX1, f4, 1/160 sec, -0.33 EV, ISO 80, 28mm equivalent (click to enlarge)

Great to see the garden coming to life yesterday with a brief bit of sunshine. My Welsh blood reminded me that it was St. David’s day and it was difficult not to burst into a rendition of “Land of my Fathers” in the back garden – but if I had it would have sent the neighbours scurrying indoors for cover and caused all the birds to fly away – so I managed to refrain… :-)

Camellia

Panasonic LX1, 1/100 sec, f3.6. ISO 80, 34mm equivalent (Click to enlarge)

I’m not a great gardener, I’m one for sitting in the sunshine on the lawn rather than getting excited about bedding plants or shrubbery, but I do especially love watching and waiting for the spring. For me there is something special about seeing the snowdrops and the crocuses emerge, then the daffodils bursting forth with vivid life and colour. For most of my life I was blissfully unaware of this seasonal glory, failing to see or appreciate the beauty that was all around me. Thankfully though I have a patient and (I’m ashamed to admit it) long-suffering wife who has slowly but surely turned this gardening Philistine into someone who can see and appreciated God’s hand at work, not only in the starry night sky and in mountainous vistas, but in every small corner of the world too – including our very ordinary back garden…