Transformative fog

On a recent foggy morning we walked past a pond that had increased greatly in size following an extended spell of rain. Quite a few of the pond-side bushes and trees now had their roots in water and were making good reflections. However, it wasn't the increased size of the pond that caught my eye as much as the way the fog was giving a different emphasis to the trees.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon P950

Water lily (again)

I'm a sucker for water lilies. Whenever I see them I search for an example that is free of ragged leaves, discoloured flowers and intrusive insects. Recently I came across an example that isn't perfect but is as close as I'm likely to get to that flawless state. It was in the ornamental pond at Bathurst Park, Lydney, Gloucs and was a rather fetching tint of pink rather than the usual white.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon P950

Farmland interloper

On a recent frosty day when the sky was clear blue we spent a few hours walking a section of the long disused Hereford to Gloucester canal near Oxenhall, Newent. The fields in the area were mainly pasture for cattle and sheep, though there were some devoted to fruit - what looked like blackcurrants. The canal was crammed full of reedmace and at the point where I took this photograph (with the canal behind me) it was spreading to the edges of an adjacent long pond. I took my shot to show how the interloper plant was adding interest to the close cropped field, and was a welcome area of detail against featureless fields and semi-frozen pond.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon Z 5

Late afternoon pond

The pond in the photograph is one that we regularly walk past. Like many such features its appearance changes with the time of day, weather and season. It is also favoured by three groups of  birds - residents that can be seen all year round, and summer or winter visitors. This shot was taken on a late afternoon in December. At that time of year it can be all but obscured by fog or rain. On this occasion a very cold day with a cloudless sky had prompted the trees to shed a mass of leaves that had been hanging on for an unseasonally long time. Combined with the low sun they have produced an image that looks much warmer than it felt.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon Z 5

The imperfect water lily

For many years we lived in a house with a pond that featured water lilies. They made a great subject for photography because from the time they began to appear below the surface of the water in spring, to their last autumnal gasp, they offered an interesting subject for the camera. Interesting, that is, if you liked imperfection and decay because the "classic", perfect water lily flower and leaves was either non-existent or so fleeting that if you blinked you missed it. In fact, by the time the flowers were displaying their full beauty a series of dead or part eaten leaves usually accompanied them. But, I didn't mind that, as these photographs show. The water lily above may look near perfect - I thought it was, hence the shot - but the outer petals are becoming discoloured and traces of dead leaves can be seen.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10

Emperor dragonfly

Until recently I had never seen an emperor dragonfly (Anax imperitor). This is surprising since the British Dragonfly Society describes the species as "Widespread in southern England and southern Wales; increasing its range northwards." In other words common where I have lived for the past three years. However, I know I haven't seen one because it is so big and boldly coloured that I am sure I would have remembered it. The emperor dragonfly belongs to the group known as "hawkers", and I am familiar with the common hawker, a species that we saw annually when we lived in north-west England. The specimen above was flying between some ornamental pools at the front of a country house and I got my image with a longish focal length lens that I had been using for architectural shots.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10

Foggy pond

We are at a time of year in Herefordshire when both fog, and sun in a cloudless sky, closely co-exist. For the purposes of enjoying a walk in late February and March my wife and I prefer the sunny day. However, for photography there is possibly more to be said for the fog. The perfect blue sky is quite limiting from a photographic perspective and I'm much happier when there is cloud to add interest to the sky. The photograph above was taken late in a walk around Ross on Wye at a point when the fog looked like it might soon be burnt off by the sun, and the modest pond took on a more interesting character in the mist.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon D5300

Reflected twigs

One of the themes throughout much of my photography is reflections. I like the way that they play tricks with reality, sometimes in ways that we don't expect. Today's example shows some twigs that have fallen into a shallow pond, with their reflections (and those of some couds), a composition that has a minimalist aesthetic.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

A rowing boat as eye-catcher

A visit to the gardens of Beth Chatto, near Colchester in Essex, produced the photograph above. The pond is one of a series that have been created on a slope in the garden and it features this rowing boat. I imagine the boat is used with serious intent only occasionally. However, it supplies a semi-permanent focal point in this section of the garden as an eye-catcher. Most garden eye-catchers are on land; statues, pavilions,mock ruins, sun dials, etc are typically used. Where there is water it can be a boat house on the shore, a fountain or perhaps a building on an island. I've never seen a  boat used in this way before, but it works, not only for this section of garden, but also for a photograph.

 photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10

Drake mandarin duck

On a stagnant, slime-infested pool, home to a single moorhen, a coot and a few passing mallards, we saw a remarkable sight - a drake mandarin duck slowly making its way through the scum on the surface of the water. The contrast between the opulent beauty of the bird and its surroundings could not have been greater. Its striking plumage of glossy purple, burnt orange, white and cream, black and iridescent green and blue seemed to deserve a backdrop of crystal clear water that reflected the sky and clouds above rather than this malignant mess. But it sailed on, seemingly happy in its chosen place, managing, despite the circumstances, to remain scrupulously clean. Until, that is, we got too close and it took to the air, perhaps heading for pastures (or waters) new.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon P900

Pool by the River Slea

I've passed this pool a couple of times on a walk along the River Slea from Sleaford and never worked out why it is there. It borders the river but its flow into the Slea is controlled. The hut at one end of it appears to be linked with its purpose.The pool is clearly man-made, at times looks stagnant, and has reeds encroaching on it. My eye is drawn to it because the straw-burning power station can be glimpsed beyond and together, on a frosty morning, they make an interesting composition.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10