Seasonal Snowdrop - February 2018

So this week we were back to the grey murky mid-winter weather that is the bane of the macro photographer. Getting up close to the subject means that there isn't an awful lot of light coming into the lens to begin with, but when combined with terrible weather conditions, it can be tricky at best to get a decent image.

However, I persevered with the conditions, and was pleased to see this Snowdrop (Galanthus) had become the first one to open up and reveal itself.

Crocus Opening - February 2018

Considering my photo shoot was taking place in conditions akin to dusk, I was astounded to find that this Crocus had opened up completely. I'm still scratching my head as to how as I type this a few days later!

Forthcoming Forsythia - February 2018

The Forsythia (Forsythia intermedia) bush flower buds continued to open slowly, but I was really looking forward to the day when they all opened up together, as if it was anything like last year, the sight would be spectacular.

Quince Opening - February 2018

The Quince (Chaenomeles) bush also continued to flower slowly, and would soon also be a mass of red blooms.

Tiny Visitor - February 2018

Along with the first Daffodil (Narcissus) of the year, came a tiny Fly (Diptera). I wondered if he was the chap who'd been feasting on the flowers before they had opened?

Camellia Outlook - February 2018

There were a few more Camellia buds open, and I liked how this one looked like it was shading itself from some direct sunlight - only there wasn't any - so it must have been my camera flash it was protecting itself from!

Periwinkle Purpleness - February 2018

The progress of the Periwinkles (Vinca) was slowing down a little, although there were still a fair few buds left to open.

Honeysuckle Finale - February 2018

The Winter Honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima), on the other hand, was definitely coming to the end of its season, with these being some of the final few buds opening.

Graceful Decay - February 2018

With no more flower content to shoot for the moment, I went off in search of some other appealing subjects. The first I came across was this perfectly formed ball of decaying Mophead Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) bush bracts...

Ivy Chain - February 2018

...and then came this small branch of Ivy (Hedera) leaves twisting its way over a gatepost.

Beauty of Flight - February 2018

Flora subjects pretty much exhausted, I turned my attention to Fauna, and in particular the Feral Pigeon (Columba livia) community. This particular individual had been following me around all morning, supposedly under the impression he would be fed if he hung around for long enough.

Watching Over - February 2018

This inquisitive chap settled just above me as I caught my breath on a garden bench. Many think of them as vermin, but I actually quite like them!

Ard Schenk Universe - February 2018

Meanwhile, moving from dad's garden to my own, it was a much brighter day, and springtime was beginning to take a foothold. I was quite pleased with this image, looking inside a Crocus 'Ard Schenk' bloom...

Purple Opening - February 2018

...and was also pleased to see this lone purple Crocus opening up in same mid-winter sunshine.

Nodding Ellen - February 2018

The Hellebore (Helleborus) plants were also enjoying the sunshine, occasionally throwing their heads upwards, but more often looking down at the ground.

Ember Tetra - February 2018

Finally, here's one of my fishy friends. He's one of my many Ember Tetras (Hyphessobrycon amandae), which I now have in three of my aquariums. In the long term, I'm probably going to move them all into one aquarium and have a large school of them, but for the moment, I like seeing them in various tanks around the house!

So, this week I chose Seasonal Snowdrop as my Image of the Week, mostly because it was the brightest image I managed to get in the dismal conditions, but also because I think everyone loves a Snowdrop...