Not much else to say really ….
other than it it believed that the first flower, which existed 140 million years ago, resembled a Magnolia https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/revealed-the-first-flower-140-million-years-old-looked-like-a-magnolia/ and that they were therefore in existence before bees!
Today felt like a proper Spring day, bright sunshine, yet still a slight chill in the air. Hyacinths, magnolias, daffodils and blossom were out in force in a nearby garden. There were quite a few ladybirds about too.
Light. That crucial factor in photography. The golden hour is the period of time just after sunrise or before sunset, which gives a beautiful, golden hue to landscape and portrait pictures. The low angle of the sun makes the shadows softer and longer. The diffused light can emphasize textures and produce specific effects.
The actual duration depends on where you live in the world (and time of year), so if you live near the equator it can be very short as sunset is quickly followed by darkness. Whereas, further north (near the Arctic circle) or south during Spring and Autumn, it can last in excess of an hour.
There is even an app which tells you the time and duration of the Golden Hour, the Blue Hour (just before sunrise and just after sunset), sunrise, sky index, light index as well as celestial events for anywhere you live in the world. All of course, subject to local weather conditions…
But there’s something magical about capturing pictures with that golden glow.
This blossom was in a small, wooded dell which was quite dark. The sun came out just before sunset and it appears as if it has been taken with a camera flash.
The long shadows from the light give an additional focus to the crocuses.
The light appears gentler and diffused over the heather.
It was great to see the RHS garden coming to life last weekend. Not only were there snowdrops, but also daffodils, miniature cyclamen, winter aconite and dwarf crested iris.
I managed to get a macro shot of a winter blooming camellia.
A red witch hazel.
Then there was this very strange one – Edgeworthia chrysantha ‘Grandiflora.’ An unusual looking flower, which is generally pest and disease free – according to the RHS. It originates from the Himalayas and was introduced in the 1850’s. It is tricky to cultivate, but produces fragrant blooms if successful.
Finally – my abstract version of the red witch hazel.
A short-lived moment of beauty.
