May 7 2012

Beech Buds

My Beech has finally got around to opening.

May 7 2012

Rare Sighting

On yesterday’s walk I was going to keep the camera in the case. I was suffering with a bit of a hangover and wasn’t in the mood. I said to Stephen that it would take something unusual for me to it out.

A short time later a Bull Finch popped up onto a nearby beech tree. They are a rare sighting here and don’t sit long as they are a shy bird. I even had to change the lens first and was surprised when it sat long enough for me to get a few shots!

As I had the camera out, I took a few more.

A badger set under the roots of a beech tree.

A buzzards seemed to be following us around.

If you look closely you can even see the hailstones that made it take to a perch.

Sometimes being a parent isn’t easy!

Willow

Taking off from Ards Airport, small planes only.

May 6 2012

Arse about Face #2

This was another tree discussed with Robert. Again this Hawthorn raft was looked at from the back as a possible different front. Robert felt that even thought the base was just as nice, the back gave more depth to the composition.

The Front.

The back.

A few flowers this year as well.

May 6 2012

Oldest Settlement in Ireland… Probably

I had to drive to Nendrum Monastic Site the other day for a thing in work. My trusty camera is never too far away.

This place dates back to the 7th century when they built this settlement on an Island in Strangford Lough. In 1999 they found the remains of 2 tidal Mills during a dig. It’s a bit out of the way but a lovely spot to visit.

This is a few photos of the road down to the site.

Some info on the site.

The remains of the round tower.

View out towards Skettrick Island.

The Ballydorn Lightship, now the home of Down Cruising Club

The remains of Skettrick Castle.

The remains of the sun dial on the Church. The time was wrong 🙂

The Church

The Tower again, or what’s left of it!

This is what the Tidal Mill used to look like

This is where they were found.

Hope you enjoyed your trip back in time 😉

May 5 2012

The Return of Janet

Both the tree and and sister 🙂

To explain, I dug this Juniper from my sisters garden back in 1995 when see emigrated to Perth, Australia. The tree has become one of my ‘never part with’ bonsai for that reason. Today, Janet returns home for a holiday and I’m pretty sure she’ll check to see if this is still here 🙂

May 5 2012

Dundrum Coastal Path

Managed to stop here for a few minutes the other day just to unwind. My wife Allison can be seen taking in the view on what was a very warm but hazy day. It would appear that only the locals know about this spot. One of these days I’ll have to walk the length of it for a better look.

Also spotted an apple in flower along the path.

May 4 2012

Saruyama, ‘Trev’, Lewis, Whatever!!

Was just reading Mr Warren’s [Trev’s] latest Blog post. Well, a good portion of it was lifted from Colin Lewis but who am I to complain because I’m putting both of them here 🙂

Both gentlemen make a very interesting point about Bonsai Obesity.

Well worth a read , makes you think.

LINK

May 4 2012

Arse About Face #1

I was looking at a few of my bonsai with Robert last week and as is usual with Robert, he came up with a few other possible options with trees that I have had for many years.

I love it when I get the opportunity to discuss trees like this. It lets you know that you can become complacent with trees that you see every day and you should teach yourself always to look at your bonsai with fresh eyes whenever you can.

One of the ideas that Robert came up with was using the back of this Yew as the possible new front. [hence arse about face :-)] I bought this tree from Robert many years ago and I think he would like it back. Not happening !

Here is the original front as selected by Marco Invernizzi back in 2004 during a workshop.

The tree will be getting some work done sometime this year as a few of the branches are rising and some structural work is required. Sometimes I look at this front and feel there is too much white wood in your face. The base is also boring with a flat section of deadwood and a fat live vein.

Robert suggested that the back might be another option. The base is better and the image looks fuller but still has interest and character. There would need to be some branch adjustments, but I rather like the idea. I now have it turned to this aspect so I can view it from my window and see it every day. The potting angle would need to be changed. As with most trees at this point, there are points for and against the new front. Just need to decide on balance which is the best option. What do you think?