Blossoms and Snowdrops
A photographic group, that I am a member of, went on trip to Heddingham Castle. I have been there before, to shoot weddings and with the family on re-enactment days where knights fight over the favours of princesses. I can highly recommend it.
One this occasion though it was to photograph snowdrops. My mum-in-law and I arrive at the castle and park not far from the bridge by the tower. The view of the castle is very impressive. The pale grey walls reflect the winter sun, but you’ll have to take my word for it because I came to photograph snowdrops and I haven’t photographed the castle on this occasion.
When you first arrive, there do not seem to be any snowdrops anywhere except the odd plant on the fringes of the castle grounds, I wonder if we’ve come at the wrong time and they haven’t flowered as yet. Walking through the grounds, looking for the snowdrops, a tree catches my eye. It is full of blossom. There were only a couple of trees that had bravely started to blossom. Its not in an interesting place, but the blossom is simply stunning. I zero in to a small group of flowers and I am really pleased with the results. Th
The blossom is beautiful delicate white with pale pink highlights, the darker pink and yellow stamen are a subtle contrast. So beautiful is the blossom, that it graces several items in the gallery, like a tote bag, cushions and throw.
It is only when we explored further that we found whole swathes of snowdrops on banks beside winding paths. They are as far as the eye can see. Absolutely glorious. The fact that they’re on banks mean that some of them are at eye-level and I am not necessarily required to lie prostrate to photograph them. Although no day out is complete unless you do that at least once! Thankfully the weather had not been too wet and the ground was soft but not muddy. (Muddy ground is more awkward to lie on but not impossible.)
There are so many flowers, I take so many photos. Photos of the banks of flowers, photos of just a few plants, of single plants and just the snowy white flowers. Its cold but not freezing so it’s fine to be outside with big coats and gloves, I struggle to take photographs with my gloves on. So, its off and on with them all day. Its worth all trouble though catching the banks in just the right angle and the flowers look like they go on for ever. I get really excited when I manage to get a shot where the middle ground is in focus but everything else is blurred.
I have some great shots of snowdrops and they and the blossom have become a big part of the gallery, they are pictured on bags, cushions, throws and travel cups, they are beautiful and everyone loves them.
