Cardamine pratensis – Also called Lady’s-smock. When I first eyed this lovely flower on my allowed ‘once a day’ excercise walk, it took my breath clean away, I was so bedazzled by its beauty. This is a sure sign that spring has arrived. x2 photographs. Double click images to enlarge.
© Peter Hillman ♦ 10th April 2020 ♦ Local field, Staffordshire ♦ Nikon D7200
Daisy (Bellis perennis) – You can’t help but notice these pretty little daisies springing up all over now, little oasises for the spring insects for them to feed from. The way the pollen has been scattered around the centre of this one, I would say somebody has already been here.
© Peter Hillman ♦ 26th March 2020 ♦ Front grass verge, Staffordshire ♦ Nikon D7200
Ficaria verna – I am very fortunate that where I live I only have to walk five minutes and I am into woodland. So with the bright weather I have been managing to venture out for a few minutes. The sight of all these wonderful sunshine coloured flowers carpeting the woodland floor is such a joy to see and a lift to the heart. It has to be my favourite spring flower. I quite like the way the sun casts the bloom’s shadow to the right. Double-click image for a closer look.
© Peter Hillman ♦ 26th March 2020 ♦ Local woodland path, Staffordshire ♦ Nikon D7200
This is one of the best years for peonies I have known here. I do love the rain so long it doesn’t pour endlessly, and this morning it was but a brief spell. I love the freshness and invigoration it brings to the garden, so I couldn’t resist popping out with my camera when the rain had stopped.
The flowers were heavy with the raindrops, looking almost as if they were bowing. I have a special place for Peonies. My parents grew them back home, and they remind me of my younger years growing up, and so enjoying those warm sunny spring days.
May 2019, rear garden, Staffordshire, England. © Pete Hillman.
Last night was a very hot and close one, so sleep was quite restless. So up early to find this Opium Poppy (Papaver somniferum) flower catching the first rays of sunlight.
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June 2018, rear garden, Staffordshire, England. © Pete Hillman.
Every few years (actually quite a few numbers of years can pass) and one of these beautiful Opium Poppies (Papaver somniferum) will just appear out of nowhere in my back garden. This one is quite a monster in size and has many heads like the mythical Hydra.
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June 2018, rear garden, Staffordshire, England. © Pete Hillman.
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June 2018, local field, Staffordshire, England. © Pete Hillman.
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June 2018, local field, Staffordshire, England. © Pete Hillman.
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June 2018, rear garden, Staffordshire, England. © Pete Hillman.
This small, low-growing plant always catches my eye, and I just have to stop to admire it.
May 2018, Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire, England. © Pete Hillman
One of my very favourite wild flowers, this is such a small, low-growing flower it could quite easily be overlooked if it wasn’t for its bright red vivid colour. Definitely a hands and knees job in the dirt to get these shots in.
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June 2018, local field, Staffordshire, England. © Pete Hillman.
One of the many delights to be found in a wild flower meadow.
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May 2018, local field, Staffordshire, England. © Pete Hillman. Sigma 18-300mm lens.
May 2018, river bank, Staffordshire, England. © Pete Hillman. Sigma 18-300mm lens.
Bellflower Campanula rear garden, Staffordshire, England. © Pete Hillman Sigma 18-300mm with Sigma AML72-01 achromatic macro lens.
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This is such a lovely little plant and I always enjoy spotting it in the fields. It is one of the Speedwells, which one it is I don’t know.
May 2018, local field, Staffordshire, England. © Pete Hillman. Sigma 18-300mm lens.
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Meadow Buttercup Ranunculus acris, May 2018, local field, Staffordshire, England. © Pete Hillman. Sigma 18-300mm lens.
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Playing in the fields this afternoon with my new toy, Sigma 18mm-300mm macro lens. Down in the field on such a beautiful sunny day and no muddy knees for a change. Quite pleased with how versatile this lens is, and quite sharp with some nice bokeh when zoomed fully out and getting close in for macro.
One of my favourite wild flowers, Common Vetch (Vicia sativa). May 2018, local field, Staffordshire, England. © Pete Hillman
Snow-in-summer (Cerastium tomentosum).
This was taken in the shade as the sun had moved around the garden this late afternoon. Trying out my new Sigma 18-300mm DC macro lens for the first time, and seeing what it can do. Will need to practice more to get the hang of it.
May 2018, rear garden, Staffordshire, England. © Pete Hillman
Out in the fields yesterday a small patch of Common Vetch Vicia sativa, which belongs to the pea family Fabaceae, caught my eye. The buds were just beginning to unfurl.
May 2018, local field, Staffordshire, England. © Pete Hillman
Nature Journeys 