Berberis thunbergii

In our garden are two Berberis (Barberry) shrubs that came with the property when we bought it. They represent the two main types of this plant i.e. Berberis darwinii and Berberis thunbergii. Given a choice we would not have had them in the garden. But, they are there, are well established, and look fine. Given that, you might wonder what our objection is to the plants. Well, both need an annual trim to keep them manageable and to promote flowering. And both of them feature wicked prickles (see two in the photograph above) that make this, and the disposal of their clippings, a very unpleasant task.

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

Thinking about crocuses

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I don't often think about crocuses. I see them when the flower buds begin opening in February. I notice when the house sparrows have been pulling them apart. And, as large and small drifts of the flowers appear in lawns and borders, I observe their often untidy appearance as those past their best stand alongside the more recent.  But, as I was taking these two photographs it occured to me that crocuses are one of those flowers that look best from nearby, are somewhat disappointing from a distance, and often look best in direct sunlight. Moreover, I definitely prefer the purple-petalled variety with their yellow/orange stamens than those with yellow or white petals.

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The first of these photographs is of more natural looking crocuses growing up through the ivy and early greenery of a churchyard. It's the one I prefer. The second photograph shows quite striking flowers clustered in a characteristic garden display.

photos © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon Z 5

Diagrid structure, King's Cross, London

Being a relatively regular user of King's Cross railway station in London, I often pass under its new diagrid structure roof support above the new concourse. And, it being such an interesting piece of engineering (well, to me anyway!), I often try to get another (and better) photograph of its lattice work tubes and beams. Here is my most recent, and possibly best photograph, one that shows off the dramatic purple lighting as well as something of its symmetry.

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

Purple tulips

I've said elsewhere that tulips re probably the flower that I have photographed more than any other. That's partly to do with the shape of the flower, its leaves and its stem - it's a beautiful plant. But it's also it appears in spring at a time when I'm ready for its deep, rich colours after the drabness and monotones of winter. This circular bed of purple tulips caught my eye because of the perfection of the plants and the overlapping bamboo arches that had been fashioned into a low fence to surround them.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Sony DSC-RX100