I usually do have a camera in my pocket when I go to the allotment, although gardening and snapping are not ideal co-activities given the photographer’s general grubbiness. Anyway, here are some of my favourite shots from the past few years: nature small but beautiful, and in no particular seasonal order. I especially love the header photo though – the winter sun caught in a windfall apple that has been hollowed out by blackbirds, so many natural forces at play here.
Also the fact that I caught a Common Blue butterfly, wings open and with a one-handed click and it turned out to be pretty much in focus, is hugely pleasing. These little butterflies flit about at high speed, and seem especially nervous if you point a camera at them.
Most perversely too, while my gardener self fumes at finding dandelions, thistles and bindweed in the garden, since they are the most difficult weeds to oust, I still admire their beauty, and in all their phases. And the bees clearly love thistle flowers too.
So much to see all around us. We only have to look.
This week Patti at Lens-Artists gives us nature as her theme. Please call in to see her and the other Lens-Artists’ work.
Tish Farrell 
Lovely shots, Tish. I agree that many plants that we don’t desire to have in lawns or gardens (or even invasive ones) are often beautiful. My walk in the park today lead me to admire the beauty of winter snow and it was wonderful. So much beauty out there if people only look…and don’t cover it all up with buildings and cement. And take their eyes off their phones!!!
janet
Many thanks, Janet. Am glad we haven’t got your snow even though it can be so beautiful. And as to taking eyes off phones – that is a big ask it seems.
People on phones miss so much of life!!!
Yes, even when they are out with friends, they are still looking at their phones.
Too true, Janet!
Delightful, Tish! I especially like those whispy thistle bits….
Thanks, Sue. Also for the ‘whispy thistle bits’ – nicely phrased, methinks 🙂
Yay!
Lovely shots Tish. Like you, I am very taken with the hollowed-out apple and the butterfly is wonderful. Seeing is the first step to really appreciating, so thank you for sharing your corner of the world.
So glad you enjoyed these, Su. As time goes on, I begin to be more and more amazed at just how much ‘mileage’ and magic there is in ‘my corner’.
I understand that. Wouldn’t it be great if more of us opened our eyes to our immediate surroundings. Awareness is the first step toward stewardship.
You are absolutely right, Su, re stewardship.
Super set of images Tish, well done you!
Thanks, Brian. I always appreciate you nice comments 🙂
Aren’t you pleased to have such memories of your efforts. Each has its own charm.
Now you mention it, it’s been very intriguing putting them together in this one post. A little store of encounters that were truly worth having and keeping. Thanks for that thought, Sally.
My pleasure…
All beautiful, love the poppies but holy cow that butterfly!!!
Isn’t it a little treasure. Only about 1 inch across too. But SO blue.
In a pinch some of those ‘weed’ could end up on your dinner table. The blue butterfly is so pretty and the poppies .
We certainly could be eating the dandelions. Not sure why we don’t. Leaves and roots are v. therapeutic.
Wonder why we don’t. Notice I said ” We”.
You really do have an eye for a good photo, Tish. Love all of these, but especially the last one.
That is a very lovely comment, Sylvia. That would be two of us then on the ‘good eye’ front. Btw are you still painting?
Thanks, Tish. No, I haven’t painted for quite some time. I prefer to play my piano in my leisure time. I may get back to it one day.
I think you should pick up those brushes 🙂
I look at them occasionally.
I could challenge you…
There are only so many hours in a day. 😳
A visual delight. Yes, so much to see all around us, and we just have to look. Thank you, Tish.
Cheers, jennie.
😀
Indeed, do much to see around.
Have a great week, Tish
Hello Mak. Wishing you a good week too.
The colours on the butterfly are unreal – they look so much like a jeweller brooch!
I have said this before, Tish, that it is so wonderful that you encounter nature in such understated yet marvellous ways. A daily encounter with beauty!
It’s therapy of the best sort, isn’t it Ju Lyn. Beauty everywhere really.
Indeed Beauty is everywhere! although some days it takes a little more effort to see and enjoy it. It is a process, which I am enjoying tremendously; and also vicariously through wonderful blogs like yours, Tish!
Many thanks for those kind thoughts, Ju-Lyn.
This is such a beautiful collection. I love the dandelions too.
Many thanks, Ali. Interesting about the dandelions, isn’t it. On the allotment side of the hedge I give them no quarter, and hoik them out. And on the field side of the hedge I take their photos 🙂
Simply gorgeous!
Thank you, dear Ark.
Nature is so beautiful and your photography does her justice. The images have a mystical quality to them. Lovely!
Diolch yn fawr Elisabeth. You also have a very lovely blog. Time we popped over the border for a visit. We’ve greatly missed our Christmases on Anglesey for the last couple of years.
Anglesey is amazing. I remember your previous post on Penmon. From then on I was in love with the place. It’s my dream to live there one day.
Oh yes. How wonderful that would be – the land, sea, light, wildlife, ships, weather, ancient spirits…
Sounds wonderful to me!
Thank you. I imagine, your allotment is doing all sorts of amazing things, especially with this spring like weather. Enjoy – Janet 🙂
Things are indeed beginning to perk up 🙂
Mother Nature certainly knew what she was doing 🙂
She certainly does, Joanne 🙂
All are so lovely and delightful, Tish! I love the butterfly capture especially!
Thanks, Amy. He/she is v, lovely.
An outstandingly beautiful gallery of nature Tish
Thank you, Pauline. I preen before the word ‘outstanding’ 🙂
👏
in deed- we look and soak up nature – and your take for the theme was just delightful Tish
🙂
Thanks, Yvette.
😊☀️🌿🍃🐾
Beautiful!
Thank you, Kendall.
Welcome!
Lovely pics, I also like the first one, & the blue butterfly is very special
Thank you 🙂
Beautiful collection of photos, Tish.
Thank you very much, Rabirius.
… We only have to look– well said Tish. And, that will teach us how to appreciate the beauty of nature. 🙂
Great photos!
Thanks, Amy.
The thistles are my favourite, Tish, and those lovely poppies. I saw my first today, in a field on the edge of a village. Just 3 little splodges of red 🙂 🙂
Goodness – poppies in Feb. Though I have to say we’ve been seeing tortoiseshell butterflies these last few days. Hope they won’t regret emerging so soon.