A month has ticked by since I last posted anything. This part of England has been mostly overcast and grey, with just a little light relief in the form of drizzle and rain; I've been out and about but haven't even bothered to take the camera a lot of the time. To spare you my moans and groans I've been leaving the blog well alone!
But I did find this astonishing fungi-clad log lying in the local woodland and luckily I had my camera in my coat pocket on that morning.
The log was around six feet (2m) long and pretty much covered with fungi throughout its length. Coincidentally I'd been reading Peter Wohlleben's excellent The Hidden Life Of Trees, in which he pointed out that a tree's useful work goes on, even after it is dead.
That's probably enough fungi for now, but I've had another idea in mind for years, which centres on using a cheap A4 size acrylic mirror in my photos....
These are not wild daffodils, though they are growing wild in the village's little wood. They were probably planted, or maybe thrown out, by some past gardener.
I rather like my "mirror idea", though it's not without its challenges, photographically speaking. Getting the correct exposure and focus for the reflection and the reality is not easy.
Unless you wedge the mirror in the branches, of course!
I didn't mind a few petals falling on the mirror - I think autumn leaves might also work pictured in this way. In fact I rather wish that I'd started on this project in January, then maybe I could've made a calendar based around mirror reflections.
We live with a dream that this latest lockdown will end soon, as the vaccination programme continues apace. Then I hope to travel further afield, rather than wearing out the few miles of paths around my home.
Take care.
It's so wonderful to see a post here. I've missed your photos. These are truly beautiful. Love the fungus, and that mirror idea is truly fantastic. I love it. I'm looking forward to more! Take care there.
ReplyDeleteLovely to see you here this morning John - hoping life is better now that Spring is bringing more color to our upside down world! Speaking of which - I'm finding your 'upside down' photos very interesting and quite beautiful. Art in all its forms never ceases to surprise - keep going with this idea, each season will be really great to see through your lens this way.
ReplyDeleteHang in there - things will get better. Glad you're back here.
Mary -
Interesting use of mirror, which provides another depth in a photo. Quite unexpected that it works so well. I've missed your walks and photos, and can certainly understand your sense that they offered repetition. Now you've come up with innovation!
ReplyDeleteLove your mirror idea. I went back and looked at your Snowdrops again, just to enjoy their beauty. Here in Texas we have so such thing. Would have loved to see you use a mirror with them. Would like to see their "faces". Your photos are always a delight to me. Thank you Julia
ReplyDeleteWelcome back! What a very neat idea to use the mirror. I can see it's challenge to not get the camera in the photo but you did well. I guess the time off from blogging helped you come up with this idea.
ReplyDeleteHave you had one shot already? Dan and I go for our second shot on Tuesday.
I've got several shots with elbows encroaching at the edge of the mirror, not to mention some with boots creeping into the edge of the frame. Yes, one shot done, but will have to wait a few more weeks for the second; our government having decided to concentrate on getting as many first shots done as possible (and thus save lives). The second shots have started though.
DeleteGood to see you back John! Love the fungi clad log! The fungi has such stunning colours, you have captured them well.
ReplyDeleteA thought struck me with your 'mirror idea' that it would be a useful tool to aid in Fungi ID. The underside of fungi is more often than not hard to see for ID purposes unless the fungi is picked to see the Gills, pores or spines, so a mirror underneath would save the fungi from being disturbed!
An inspiring post, I am off to find a spare mirror!
I'd thought of taking "up from the ground" shots of fungi and flowers, but hadn't thought about its use for identification. Probably because I've rather given up with trying to sort them out!
DeleteI like your mirror shots a lot!
ReplyDeleteNow that is a good idea using a mirror that way, better that trying to shoot up from under the plant
ReplyDeleteI have been tempted by the mirror idea myself since I first came across it on a blog a few years ago. I do love what you have done with this series and yes, a year round compendium of mirror photos would be lovely.
ReplyDeleteGood to see you back. Great photos as always. Love the mirror idea.
ReplyDeletebelles improvisations avec ce miroir, en particulier la 8ème pour ce début de printemps !
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm so glad to see a post from you. I was only thinking this morning that I was missing you and hoped all was well. Quite understand about the lack of inspiration though. It's been such a dreary month. Things should get better from now on. At least there is more colour appearing. I love your mirror photos, what a great idea.
ReplyDeleteIt is a great idea John. Very original I think.
ReplyDeleteYou are not crazy John. (Well, probably not) :))
Very clever! I like the use of the mirror as it does give us another view of the subject! Good idea!
ReplyDeleteThe fungi reminds me of coral. The mirror photos are very cool. Interesting how you took some so that the reflection is in strong contrast to the background, and some the reflection is more subtly blended in with the background.
ReplyDeleteThe fungi have fascinating textures.
ReplyDeleteYes, welcome back! I think I checked your blog every day the past month. I would have enjoyed hearing your moans and groans. That log is a unique spread of fungi. And your mirror is neat!
ReplyDeleteThe mirror shots certainly add a completely different dimension to your photos.
ReplyDeleteThe fungi is very attractive, I love all of the different striations of colour. Apparently the fungi goes by the strange name of turkey tails, but I think that it does actually resemble them.
The mirror idea is brilliant. Love the photos!
ReplyDeleteThe fungi was amazing. The motor photography is interesting and obviously kept you busy for a while. Hope you can get back to your long walks soon.
ReplyDeleteMirror not motor
ReplyDeleteI’ve missed our walks! Lovely to hear from you..
ReplyDeleteFungi are awesome. I haven’t encountered such fantastic universe of fungi myself. I’ve seen the photo that were shot using a mirror, but the way you use a mirror looks original to you, I think. I like it when I can see the faces of drooping flowers with the backdrop of upper leaves or sky. How inventive!
ReplyDeleteYoko
The stand if fungi is quite wonderful. It is something I always pay attention to, and I have become at least reasonably efficient at identifying some of our local varieties, but mycology is not a study for the faint of heart! Welcome back, John. I will look forward to more from you as the advance of spring improves both the weather and your outlook perhaps.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to see you back in blogland. I love love your "mirror" photos. I never tried that but I bet it would be fun to do so. I think your mirror photo calendar might be rather interesting. You have a wonderful day, hugs, Edna B.
ReplyDeleteHi John - yes ... I hope you had a good break and could gently moan and groan to yourself and your brother!! Or to the trees - perhaps that's why that fungus looks like it does?! It's superb isn't it ... I enjoyed seeing the fungi I found over on Vancouver Island ...
ReplyDeleteBut I like your mirror idea - particularly the one in the branch ... a real change for an image on the blog - at least it's starting to warm up a little before another let down! But it's that time of year ... and the days are getting longer - all the best as you make your forays ... Hilary
The mirror shots are outstanding, John.
ReplyDeleteFungi are fascinating.
ReplyDeleteIt sure is great to see a post from you...I think this is a brilliant idea.
ReplyDeleteYou have been missed, John, but then blog breaks are often needed and with miserable weather it's easier to stay comfy indoors. That said, I am glad you did take your camera with you to capture the colorful fungi log. I can't recall seeing any as nice on my walks. What a great idea to use the mirror for your photos and I have a small one as well, but I would be concerned about having it break and then worrying about the ensuing bad luck!
ReplyDeleteThat's really creative!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully taken!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful fungi (turkey tail i think). I love the way you've used the mirror, the photos are amazing.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely enjoy seeing the few miles of paths around your home John, you mix it up pretty well. Might have to pinch your mirror idea, excellent reflections 💙
ReplyDelete