Photography – Page 31

Vilnius by night

Taking photographs after sunset using only natural (or artificial light) brings out features that are seldom seen during the day time. The photograph below is from Vilnius at the Gediminas castle tower.

6379100971_2b37d17c29_b — Gediminas Castle Tower - Vilnius, Lithuania

Dating to the 13th century, the Gediminas castle was rebuilt in 1419 by Grand Duke Vytautas after the great fire of Vilnius. During the 1655 – 1661 Russian occupation the castle towers and defensive walls were completely ruined and only in 1930 was any attempt made to restore the castle. The castle towers over central Vilnius and is accessible by a short climb or by a funicular (which, when I was there, was out-of-order).

Exposure: 3 seconds, f/3.5 ISO200, Nikon D80.

Wallflower and Ladybird

Erysimum flowers and a ladybird beetle enjoying the sun…

Wallflower

Wallflowers (Erysimum) are small perennial shrubs that produce flowers in the yellow-red range. This one is an early bloomer in my garden.

Alien Footsteps

Earlier this year, when the winter snows blanketed most of the UK, strange foot marks like these could be seen all over the place. Little Foot – younger version of big foot? Or a three footed animal? The reality is less tantalising – these were rabbits!!!

Ladybird – up close!

I spotted this ladybird on a concrete brick last week, and couldn’t resist another opportunity to a take a picture using my macro lens. The background was dark and provided good contrast to the colour of the beetle.

Bellis – A short etymology

Bellis is the scientific name for a family of plants that include the common daisy. The latter derives its name from the saxon word “days eye” which describes the opening of the petals to show the bright yellow centre (eye) in the mornings, to closing them at dusk. The expression “fresh as a daisy” derives from the fact that the flower appears fresh and rested every morning.

One legend has it that the Bellis is named after a nymph or dryad called Belides. According to legend, Belides was dancing in the woods with her lover Ephigeus, and attracted the unwanted attention of Vertumnus, the god of seasons, gardens, fruits and orchards. In order to avoid Vertumnus and protect her lover Ephigeus, she turned herself into the flower we know as the daisy.

Farewell, till the next year!

This year spring came early, very early indeed! The daffodils bloomed in all their glory and now they’re beginning to wither away. So it is farewell to this flower till the next year, while the foliage stays to stock up for the long winter to come.

Bellis: Brightening up my day!

A beautiful (but tiny) Bellis flower from my garden. These perennial plants belong to the same family as Daisies (Asteraceae) and grow no taller than 20cm.

Here’s hooking at you!

Burdock (Genus Arctium) seeds with tenacious hooks that latch on to clothes and skin (I’m still getting some off my fleece jacket!). Traditionally dispersed by cattle. Apparently the roots of this thistle family are edible. Lots of medicinal properties according to Wikipedia.

Camera: Nikon D80 on full manual setting
Exposure: 1/400
Aperture: f6.3
ISO: 200
Lens: Sigma 105mm Macro.
Magnification Ratio: 1:2

A lone cyclist (early morning in March)

Parked in this lay-by on the A1301 from Cambridge, I saw this lone cyclist making his way through the morning mist. Glad I had my camera with me at the time!!