May 17 2012

Blog Post of the Day

Most days I flick through all the new posts from the blogs I follow on google reader. There is usually something of note there worth reading or at the very least, contains some great photographs.

I have decided that sharing my favourite posts here would be a great way of introducing others to new blogs.

So, starting today, whenever I get a chance, I’ll add a link here directing you to my favourite blog post of the day.

First up is a post about air layering. I’ve been looking at this in some detail over the last year or so and found this one interesting. Not least because the photos are mine 😉 I should mention it’s in Dutch, but as I use google Chrome with Google Translate on auto, it always appears in English for me. Why limit your blogging to English Blogs!! Here’s the link…

Air Layering a Hawthorn

May 3 2012

150,000 Blog Hits!

A friend has pointed out that I’ve just hit the 150,000 mark on my blog counter 🙂

Who would have thought

May 1 2012

Sunday Signs!

On my usual Sunday walk I couldn’t help but notice just how often we came across signs telling us what not to do. I’m aware signs are helpful but I am getting a little tired of being ‘SHOUTED AT’ in capitals everywhere we go. For example….

and this one was kinda hard to miss!!

This was the only one I liked for obvious reasons 🙂

OK rant over, here are some more calming photos taken on the walk.

Wild primrose

Would love to know what this is..

A close up of the flowers

and now for the wildlife, Spotted this Pheasant in a recently planted field.

A Buzzard circling overhead.

Gulls

Mallard Ducks in flight

Hooded Crows

Evil looking crow 🙂

Pied Wagtail

Wood Pigeon

The hardest one of all was trying to capture a photo of a House Martin in flight. These are the only two that look even half right.

and this big fella to finish. He was keeping a close eye on my dogs.

Apr 8 2012

Happy Easter

Happy Easter, and as it’s Easter Sunday, I’m not taking my usual walk. However, here are a few from last weekend that I haven’t shared as yet.

I was just talking to Stephen on the walk about how you rarely see wild Primrose any more and about 100 yards later we see this 🙂

On Easter Sunday Scrabo Tower is a busy place to walk as many people attend a Sunrise service and in the afternoon many local children, mine included, roll their eggs down the hill.

Stephen snapping away

Gorse/Whinbushes covering the quarry face

Blackthorn in Flower

The next Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke , Fred Daly or Graeme McDowell.

Northern Ireland is the promised land for golf’s best players 🙂

This is Scrabo Golf Club. A tight course!

Some of Strangford Lough’s 365 Islands

Patchwork Quilt, County Down

Wild Flowers

Scrabo is famous for it’s bluebells. These are among the first to appear.

Blackthorn Hedge

Spring is Sprung

Doggie Dust Trails 🙂

Amazing trunk on an old Hazel

Apr 2 2012

Malus Coming Into Flower

Here are a few photos taken of 3 Malus that I have just coming into flower.

A few other Spring photos to enjoy too.

Mar 26 2012

Big Bumble!

Managed to snap a few quickies off when this big bumble bee paid a visit to my Fuji Cherry. Focus not great but he just refused to sit still 🙂

Mar 25 2012

Coltsfoot Accent

Nothing like a sunny day to get the most out of this Coltsfoot accent.

Mar 23 2012

Missed it!

When I was busy last week I missed this maple opening and now it has extended further than I had wanted! Last year this tree was weak after years of neglect from its previous owner. This year seems to show signs of renewed vigour. It was bought as part of a mercy mission and has a way to go but I think it has enough character to be an interesting tree. Older posts about this tree HERE and HERE.

Mar 22 2012

Trident Update

My Root Over Rock Trident Maple is pushing hard after it’s repot.

My other Trident, not repotted this year is also at a similar stage.

Mar 19 2012

Bonsai Blogs Bundle

I have a Google Reader Bundle Link on my Bonsai Bloggers link page that allows anyone to view my favourite Bonsai Blogs. It was kindly pointed out to me that one of the blogs had been hacked and some absolute rubbish was being added that was spoiling the fun for everyone viewing.

I have therefore created a new bundle for 2012 and changed the link. You can now view 180 bonsai blogs. Some are more active than others but all are worth a look. You can either save this link and view at your leisure or, if you have google reader, just add this bundle to your subscription list.

Click on the image below to view. You can also find this as a permanent feature at the bottom of my side bar. If you want your blog added to the list just ask.