Art For Arts Sake

Just a bit of an artistic experiment today, as I haven't taken that many photos, as things have been a bit quiet in town and through Highfields.

A simple shot of some daisy like flowers that are growing in Highfields. Probably classed as a weed in most people's garden.

So to give the photo a little more interest, I've added a textured layer, so it looks like an old photograph, rather than one that is brand new. Maybe the top of a box of chocolates or a cigarette card. Something like that.

And It's All Yellow

A simple window display highlighting the clearance sale at the Marks & Spencer outlet store at McArthur Glen Retail Park, near Mansfield.

I always call it McArthur Park, after the song from the 1960s, that Donna Summer covered in 1978

Name In Lights

The Lakeside Arts Theatre in Highfields has a new logo on it's building. Up to now it has just been a blank roof, which can look like an upturned boat at some angles.

The logo only appeared a day or so ago, so I thought I would take a photo of it on my way home, with the arts centre lit up in the darkness.

Sun Day

A busy Sunday in the garden and garage. Some tidying up and sorting out, so I didn't get to go on any photography expeditions.

And also being busy, I forgot to look out for the blood moon, that was meant to be on show tonight. When I did look, it seemed to be the same whitish colour.

So here's a shot of something sunny for Sunday, our sunflower in our garden. The head is starting to die, which means that the seeds should be almost ready to harvest.

Mellow Yellow

A close up of the sunflower that we have growing in the garden, that I took with one of the art filters on my Olympus EM-1, just to give it a bit of an unusual look. Maybe so it looked like another plant altogether.

Hopefully there will be quite a lot of sunflower seeds to be collected and possibly eaten when its time to harvest them in a couple of months time.

Beware The Yellow Peril

This weekend is dedicated to England's heritage, with lots of events taking place up and down the country. Beeston of course is holding a number of events around the town, as it has done since the idea was first suggested.
As I have been going to such things for years, I have seen practically all the things on offer, but this year I was pleased to go somewhere that I don't think has been involved before.

The Boat and Horses pub in the Rylands had quite a variety of things to see and do. I saw a friend of ours who does wood turning and was giving a demonstration of his talent, a local beekeeper who was giving tastings of her home produced honey, a display of some old glass bottles and of course a cake stall.

There was also some female Morris dancers and then there were these three characters. There were a number of people dressed as they would have been in say the 1940s, and these two ladies were certainly enjoying themselves as period housewives. The fellow in the centre was part of another Morris dancing troupe, which I couldn't stay to watch, as I had some more visits to make.

Mellow Yellow

It's Sunday afternoon as I am writing this, and I can still hear rain rattling on the conservatory roof. It started late morning, and hasn't stopped since. I was planning to go out on a photoshoot, but the bad weather has put paid to that.

So here's a more sunnier shot from yesterday's exploration of some local allotments, in the form of a sunflower.  This particular allotment had two quite big ones that seemed to be growing randomly. Instead of taking a straightforward shot, I've gone for a more artistic view.

Yellow Peril

A workman with a an artistic flair has made an interesting design to highlight some cracked an uneven concrete in a local multi-storey car park.

Quiet Contemplation

A simple shot of Beeston church with a small burst of spring daffodils.

A Little Ray Of Sunshine

The first daffodil to bloom in our garden, although a few more are slowly popping their heads up out of the soil.

I think it had a head start, as it's home is in the front garden, which gets most of the sun. Well when we get some that is. But at least we know that spring is still getting nearer by the day.

Poking Through

The first signs of spring have started to appear in our garden.

I spotted this crocus slowly making its way up through the soil and into the sunshine. Which gladly we had some today, as Mr Blue Sky has been missing all week, which makes everywhere so grey. So it was nice to see a bit of colour today.

A Sweet Way To Learn The Alphabet

Sugar letters, a bit more tasty than Alphabetti Spaghetti, and easier to spell with, as they are not covered in tomato sauce.

Just found them today in a local supermarket, and thought they would make for an interesting photo for today.

Hissing Sid

It's not everyday that you meet a snake at a food fair. But I did today, and fortunately he wasn't on the menu!

The food fair took place in the revamped Trinity Square, but sadly wasn't that busy, due to the rainy weather. I saw a chef I know that owns our favourite Indian restaurant called the Curry Lounge with his wife and brother, who were promoting their new range of chutneys.

Anyway back to the snake. According to the Gordon Ramsey lookalike, it is an Albino Burmese python. These girls didn't appear to be scared of it, so I decided to give it a stroke, and was surprised that it's body was warm and dry, as I was expecting it to be the opposite.

Beware The Yellow Line

Well we have had rain on and off for most of the day today. So I wonder if summer is over for another year.

Fortunately it stopped in the afternoon long enough and a bit of sun came out for me to do a spot of photography.

I decided to have a walk along some of the route that the new tramline is taking. They've now taken a big chunk of land from the side and front of Beeston Parish Church. Safety fencing is everywhere.

There was a great big puddle, and after a few minutes of looking for the best angle, I managed to find one that shows a great reflection of the top of the church's bell tower, only marred by the fencing.

Towards The Light

Some poppies in our front garden, enjoying the sunshine, on what has become the warmest day of the year so far.

Lets hope tomorrow turns out the same.

Yellow

A day off from work today as it's a bank holiday, so what better than a drive into the countryside.

It's been lovely and sunny too. I was wondering whether it would be, as it was cold & grey yesterday, and we always tend to get bad whether when it's a public holiday.

We stopped off to take some photos of a field full of rape seed plants. Although the sun had been partially obscured by clouds, the stripes of yellow and contrasting black really show up the undulating field.

Yellow Dancers

A lovely sunny day today, with blue skies. I captured these daffodils that are growing in a box at St Peter's Church.

Although there was a touch of ice this morning, Spring is definitely here.

Life At 60mm

I've had another go at shooting some flowers with my new 60mm macro lens.

Not got there yet, but getting better. At least the middle of this crocus that I saw in Beeston's churchyard is in focus. Just need to work on the rest of the flower, so it all is.

Well Then, How Does Your Garden Grow?

I visited a local allotment on Wollaton Road this afternoon, as they were having an open day. I've only been there once, and that was only a fleeting visit a couple of years ago, so this time I was determined to see what was on offer.

It's a pretty big allotment too. And I was surprised how big, with long grassed pathways dividing plots. There were a few stalls, including bric a brac, face painting and gardening tips. There was also refreshments on offer, and I bought a couple of big slices of home made chocolate cake, which I polished off at home, as I bought Gail a chunk too.

I spent a fascinating hour or so slowly walking around and looking for things to photograph.  Firstly I had a go at taking a micro-shot of a bee collecting nectar on a sunflower. Then I came across this neglected plot and rotting shed. I'm surprised that no one had taken it on, as allotments are more popular than ever as people try to grow their own food, rather then pay ever rising shop prices.

I also couldn't resist taking a shot of Mr and Mrs Scarecrow, standing guard over the rhubarb, onions and other vegetables that are growing in the fertile soil.

A Splash Of Colour

We had a trip to our local branch of B&Q yesterday afternoon to buy some new flooring for the hallway.

Whilst we were looking around, I thought that I would take some photos of some of the colourful plants that were on sale, as they all looked very photogenic.

Unfortunately I didn't make a note of the plant names. But I'm sure the gardeners amongst you will be able to tell what they are.

I also spotted some wildlife, whilst I was there. These ducks looked very friendly. But as they are made of pot, I don't think they will float somehow.

This bee was enjoying flying from plant to plant, gathering precious nectar for the hive. Its a sad fact that the British bee appears to be on the decline, due to the loss of habitat, use of chemicals and possibly the weather. So it was good to see the plants on sale that bees are attracted to.

And finally this hummingbird garden ornament looked fun, and a gorgeous blue colouring. Was I tempted to buy one for the garden? No, as the springs joining the wings are likely to rust and then they will drop off.