BRESSAY - PHOTO PAIRS

I have just returned home from the Shetland Islands and while there I stayed in the lighthouse on Bressay.  On my first morning I woke up and admired these flowers growing on the wall. 

 

And when I raised the camera you could see a scattering of snow that had fallen overnight.  Luckily it was our first and last but I was undeterred because I had gone prepared for all weathers! 

 

Today I am joining in with Helena's Photo Pairs.  I often take photos with this in mind but then I don't get round to posting them, which is a bit daft!   I hope to do better in future.

ZIZO - PERRY'S POT

The other day I took advantage of an unplanned walk in the park and discovered this wood carving.  It seemed a perfect photo for Helena's Zoom in Zoom out.

 

I've not seen it before and was interested to learn it is part of a  totem tree.

 

I understood what inspired most of the carvings as these relate to exhibits in a museum that stands in the grounds.  We have spent much time over the years watching bees flying in and out of a small hole in the window frame leading into a glass sided hive. You can see the honeycomb and watch the bees do their waggle dance as they communicate to each other where to find pollen. But Perry's Pot? 

I didn't have a clue.

And so I did a Google search.  It seems Grayson Perry, 2003 Turner Prize Winner and a artist well known for his ceramic vases, was born in Chelmsford and one of his pieces is part of the museum display.  I must check it out next time I visit and see what else I have missed!

ZIZO - Poppies

For weeks I have planned to go to London to see the poppy sculpture 'Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red'.  I have seen so many photos, breath taking images that moved and made me want to go even more.  I knew I would always live with regret if I let this spectacle and stunning tribute pass.

And so today I caught the train, joined the mass of people who were of the same mind, and took my turn to pay my respect and take photos.

 

It was just as I imagined, I'm so glad that I went.

Joining in with Helena's weekly neme, ZOOM IN ZOOM OUT.

ZOOM IN ZOOM OUT - Seed heads

Today I am joining in with Helena's 'ZOOM IN ZOOM OUT' and as the name suggests you take 2 photos of the same scene.  I find myself paying more attention and sometimes find unexpected surprises.  I was spoilt for choice this time so I am including two ZIZO's ! 

 

These amazing seed heads were seen at Paycockes House, owned by the National Trust.  I may not have noticed their size if I wasn't looking so closely.

 

 

 

 

The seeds heads look so much smaller here!  They were drying in a beautiful open sided barn and I have posted more photos of the barn and garden here.

 

I took another ZIZO in the garden:

 

 

These are the seeds of a plant called Honesty.  How amazing that one side looks almost purple, and yet translucent with the sun shining though. They will turn silver as they dry... a seed pod of many colours.  They used to be popular in flower arranging once.  Anyone else remember them?
 

Thank you to Helena for this great idea, it helps me to see things in a different way.

And if you like photo challenges do pop over to here because I am offering a GIVE AWAY to celebrate the first anniversary of  '5 in 5'.

ZOOM IN ZOOM OUT - BARGES

This post is part of Helena's neme 'ZOOM IN ZOOM OUT'.  As the name suggests you take 2 photos of the same shot, and I enjoy taking part.  I also like the way that most ZIZO posts are brief, the focus being on the photos.  And because I had more to share about my day, I have written a separate post that you'll find here.  

  

Back in March I went to a local quayside and I was excited to see barges being made ready for another season.  We are lucky, hereabout there is a thriving community of traditional boat building and sail making, and waters busy with working and leisure boats.  It is a place I love to be, and seeing the barges bought back happy memories.

When I home educated I used to regularly hire one of the Thames Sailing Barges and it's crew of 3.  I'd fill it with excited children and a friend or two to help me.  And we would spend 5 days sailing the rivers and coast, planning pirate parties, exploring uninhabited islands, and visiting seals on sand banks at low tide. 
They were happy days.....

 

 

And days like this make me happy too.  

 

Thanks for visiting, and if you have time, why not pop over to Helena's and see what others have posted for ZIZO.

A FOCUS ON 'RED' - ZOOM IN ZOOM OUT

Recently we stayed with friends and as always we  went out and about and I took lots of photos.  After a day or two I noticed there was a red theme going on, completely unplanned, and I thought I'd share some of them:

   

 

 

 

I have no idea what this is, hanging in a tree!  Since there were other obscure objects in the grounds that appeared to be part of outdoor game equipment we decided this might be a target... your ideas welcome!

 

The above photos fit well with Helena's weekly neme 'ZOOM IN, ZOOM OUT' so I am playing along and I have other photos I keep meaning to include.  They will have to wait, because right now there are a couple more red-themed photos to share:     

 

 

 
Thank you for visiting.
Can anyone guess where we were?!