Dec 16 2011

Alfred Hitchcocks The Birds!!

Driving down a country road this week, I spotted a field full of crows. I don’t think I have ever seen so many in one place. Proper Black Crows in Ireland used to be quite a rare sight. You only ever saw small colonies up until about 15 years ago. Now…

A few trees on the same road.

A typical tree choked in ivy. The extra bulk from the ivy can cause trees like this to blow down in high winds due to the extra surface area. Most farmers will remove it from time to time. Note the sheep sheltering underneath.

Dec 15 2011

Twisted Itoigawa Juniper

I spotted this tree over on the IBC Forum. I’m not normally one for major curves in trees, but this one is very exciting indeed. Just click on the image to view the whole thread on the forum. The sketches showing a projected final image as also very good indeed.

Dec 11 2011

Todays Walk in Pictures

Here is some from my usual Sunday walk. We revisited the Clandeboye Way. We haven’t done it for a while as it can get water logged but today was enjoyable even with the mud.

I didn’t think the sign meant cameras so I snapped away when I could. Nice to see the dog using the pedestrian gate instead of going through the main one 🙂

I spotted these Fungi on an old fallen Birch log. My brother Sam thought they looked like Octopus.

On old rotten stump with beautiful deadwood.

Some of the landscape we crossed. The sheep moved away when they saw the dogs appearing.

Old Gate pillars made from Scrabo Sandstone. No longer used as a gate as the gap isn’t wide enough any more for modern machinery. New gate beside it.

We saw many trees along the walk that had fallen since our last visit. This one blocked the path.

Stephen wondered why I stopped to take a photo of the ground. I found it beautiful in it’s own way. It captures the season well. Can’t wait to see what he snaps with his new camera from Santa 🙂

Loved this old gnarly tree trunk. It tells it’s own story of life in the wood.

A birch full of witches brooms.

Just as we left the wooded area to walk along the coast, this Jay appeared in a tree. I snapped a few quick shots thinking it would only sit a few seconds. It was close by the path and was working hard to get grubs from a rotted branch. I quickly changed the lens to get a closer shot. Just As I was ready, it buggered off! Never get a chance like that again 😦

Birds were the highlight for the rest of the walk. Here are a few we saw.

A few other feather free shots.

My 2 dogs loved the water and enjoyed drying out in front of the fire back at home too 🙂

Nov 21 2011

Uro Inspiration

On my walk yesterday I saw quite a lot of deadwood on deciduous trees. Here are some examples.

This was a large Linden Raft with rotting ground hugging branches.

Oak.

Beech

What’s this one?

It’s a Japanese Maple Bonsai 🙂

Nov 20 2011

This Morning on Cavehill

Stephen and I took a walk up Cavehill this morning. I was hoping to get a clear view of Belfast but the cloud moved in during the 10 minutes we stayed at the top. It did however lead to some interesting photos.

Here’s some scenic shots.

Looking at the top.

Hawthorn silhouette

Stephen taking in the view as it disappeared into the cloud.

Love this one.

Looking down over North Belfast.

Belfast in a shaft of sunlight.

Shipyard where the Titanic was built 100 years ago.

Belfast Castle, our start and finish point.

A sculpture in the grounds of the Castle.

Some trees for inspiration.

Beech Uros.

Yellow Larch

Hawthorn berries

Scots Pine

Hawthorn popping up everywhere.

and the best for last, a panoramic of Belfast Lough, stitched together in Photoshop.

Nov 7 2011

Shohin- Europe Bonsai

Morten Albek has revamped his website and it’s well worth a look if you are into Shohin Bonsai. After recently joining the BSA I am trying to bring myself up to speed with the differences between shohin and other sized bonsai. It’s a deep and boundless topic!! Morten’s site has many great articles and I have spotted a few things that are new to me. To visit the site just click below. Morten’s blog has been added to my favourites on the sidebar.

Nov 6 2011

First Frost & Sunday Walk

I woke up this morning to the first frost I’ve seen in a long time, I may have slept through one earlier in the week 🙂

It was a beautiful clear morning with blue skies, not a breath of wind and a perfect day for my Sunday walk. Here are the usual photos taken whilst walking from Hollywood to Bangor along the shore of Belfast Lough.

Hard to tell where the sea finishes and the sky begins.

Some Trees to inspire

Some Wildlife

Everyone looking towards Belfast hoping to spot a star or two. The MTV European Music Awards is on in Belfast tonight and the City is buzzing!

“I see Bieber!” “Who’s the Blonde he’s with?” 🙂This guy was walking a horse on the Beach! Well, it was the size of a horse. My dogs gave it a wide berth. Pink lead made me laugh.

Maggie and Smudge at full tilt as usual! Notice some frost on the ground.

Crawforsburn

Just makes you want to sit down for a while.

end game, Bangor Marina.

Oct 29 2011

BSA Website & Blog

The New British Shohin Association Website and Blog is now up and running. Lots of great images in the gallery to flick through for all the shohin lovers out there.

It is now easy to join as well. I have been threatening to do it for years and took the plunge today and paid via paypal. I tried to get over to the Shohin Off Show this year, but a death in the family changed all my plans. However I do plan to make it over to the 2012 Show.

Link to site by clicking on the image below.