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Spring
I took this photograph today of the Cherry-plum tree in my front garden. It’s always the welcome first herald of Spring, blossoming before most other trees. We’ve had two stunning, sunny days in a row, and the tree is garlanded with flowers now. Against the clear, azure skies the laden boughs sink and sigh, gravid in the breeze. Today I started sweeping up the clumps of leaves and twigs that have accumulated in drifts around the outside of the house thanks to winter’s storms. It’s the first day I’ve felt compelled to start the usual gardening jobs. Weeds are appearing, and I can’t say I’ve missed them. It’s best to…
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gallery cats
Mallorcans love cats and dogs. They are well-treated and indulged, and are everywhere on the island, usually not far from their doting owners. I snapped this mother and daughter duo in a Gallery in the incredibly picturesque village of Sóller. I caught the rickety train, with its old-fashioned wooden carriages, into the mountains to explore the town for a couple of hours. The train trundled upwards past almond trees shedding their blossoms, trees dripping with lemons and oranges, and ancient olive groves. Sóller’s buildings are relatively unaltered, with terracotta roofs, wrought iron balconies and sturdy, polished wooden doors. Many of its winding, narrow streets – loomed over by serrated mountains…
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mallorcan tree
I’m only a couple of days on Mallorca and I’ve already had blazing sun and blue skies, an afternoon of torrential rain and a nocturnal lightning storm. It’s mercurial and eventual staying on a Mediterranean island in February. I love it. The vegetation is amazing to my eyes – a variety of palm trees (tall, stubby, gnarled) with huge architectural fronds, a wide range of cacti, as well as pink, purple and violet flowers in bloom. And always the constant drumbeat of the waves pounding against the rocks. Most of the pubs, cafes and souvenir shops are closed. Santa Ponsa has a slightly forlorn feeling at times, but I don’t…
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minnie triumphant
It’s been a while since I inflicted a picture of Minnie the pooch upon you. I snapped this the other morning, as she stared resolutely away from the camera. She hates the shiny metal box that causes me to pause and point it at objects during her walks, so she shows her disdain towards it at every opportunity. That’s her racoon toy, which is rather adorable. She loves it because it’s very long, so she can grab it in the middle, scamper around the table and whip it about viciously so both ends slap against carpet, chairs, your legs… It has a squeaker in the head and in the end…
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web morning
This morning saw a beautiful combination of sunlight hitting wet trees and shrubs that were coated with a patina of frost. A mist curled up from the iced grass toward blue skies. Everywhere there were spider webs, jewelled with beads of water. One long chain formed a barrier across the path – I spotted it at the last moment and ducked underneath. Photographing cobwebs can be tricky, but I managed to snap a few of them. This was one of my favourite shots. Oh! The artless cunning of nature.
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bright days
This picture is from over a week ago, when I had a fantastic run of photographs on a freezing, sunny day. Since then the weather has been officially what we term ‘filthy’: wet and a constant twilight thanks to the permanent canopy of grey clouds. And recently there have been gusting winds, just to keep me awake at night too. So, the above picture is a reminder to Nature. A bit more sun, please. I know you can do it. Cheers!
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tree jewels
There are so many beautiful, strange things waiting to be noticed if you pay attention. I spotted this little wagon train of snails hitched up on the back of a tree recently. I loved the patterns on the shells, and how well the colour complimented the thick, scaly bark of the tree. It was bitterly cold – my fingers were numb from holding up the camera and taking pictures throughout my walk – and the snails were locked up tight in their houses. Although, they could have been out. I didn’t knock to inquire.
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new shoots
This is a hopeful sign from yesterday. It was taken on a day that could pass for Spring, but which followed one of the most miserable days (weather-wise anyway) we’ve had in months: sordid skies, torrential rain and gusting wind. I don’t mind coping with the grey days when they blow away and leave us with spearmint fresh skies and promises of verdant earth.
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beyond the wall
This is a recent photo during our current sunny, frosty weather. It reminds me how photographs are so much better when you get good light… I’ve our holiday decorations packed away since Monday. I try not to let them linger too much after the festivities are over, but I do miss the blinking lights. They’re cheery during our long nights. Although, I’ve already noticed the extra minutes on our evenings, which is a delightful amuse-bouche of longer days to come. I’ve not made any resolutions for the New Year. In general I’m always working to a plan of improvement both personally and creatively, and I try (I don’t always succeed)…
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stillness
Today was my first time back in the woods I frequent the most since the cold and ice dissipated. The sun has disappeared along with the frost, leaving the days overcast, cold and dank. It’s not ideal for photos, but I brought my camera along out of habit. As usual I ended up seeing images I wanted to capture, although the light was indeed problematic. The woods were utterly still and stark this afternoon. It had the feeling of a hall after a party, with streamers hanging limp and the floor sticky with spilled booze. I wandered through the woods, calling to the dog quietly. The trees are in the…
