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Bluebell time
by loiswakeman @ 06/05/2008 - 17:42:01

We are almost at the end of bluebell season here: the leaves are starting to flatten (which gives a good view of the flowers), and soon the best will be over.

Today, I went to the Spittles - a strangely named area of undercliff west of Lyme Regis. You can follow part of the old road to Charmouth which collapsed in the 1920s into the sea: there are still fragments of tarmac and the foundations of houses, being overwhelmed by trees.

I took the camera of course: I used the telephoto to try and convey some of the blue confusion here:

bluebells

and a wider angle to get a sharper image of some individual blooms:

bluebells

Interesting how the colour balance changes from shot to shot: I really ought to set it manually.

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Tags: bluebells, lyme regis, phenology, spittles, wildflowers,

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UsksiderUsksider pro
http://www.usksider.co.uk
06/05/08 @ 18:31

Tut tut... Don't tell me you use the auto setting? 8|

I see you found your bluebells Lois... me too, but I have to say I thought mine were a bit lacking in colour... and density. Maybe my imagination, but I'm sure the beds of bluebells were much thicker when I was a child.

thehomelyyearthehomelyyear pro
06/05/08 @ 18:50

Wonderful photos - there's a place in Galway called something similar...Spiddal, I think!

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LissaTLissaT pro
07/05/08 @ 01:49

I can think of at least a dozen places called Spital or Spittal; in my own county there are Owmby-by-Spital and Normanby-by-Spital, and a friend of mine lives at Spittal near Berwick-on-Tweed. It means hospital and will be associated with a mediaeval monastic site.

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menhirmenhir [Member]
06/05/08 @ 20:14

Darn it! - I love bluebells, I used to look for them every year when I lived in the sunny south. I must see if ours are starting or are in the throes of doing something. I did see white bells a while back, just as we were hit by a really cold snap.

I'll have to learn how to set my colour manually on a digital camera. I had no qualms and excellent shots with the old manual SLR's. That said, I do like the lightweight bodies and sizes of the digital cameras, and if I were more expert, they would be more versatile than I can make them.

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loiswakemanloiswakeman [Member]
http://lois.co.uk
07/05/08 @ 08:57

The last time I was in the Highlands, the bluebells were in full force in June - so I think you have plenty of time yet!

In the old days, you just had to choose daylight or tungsten film: now you have several white balance settings to choose from. Most of the time, the camera guesses pretty well though.

The best thing for me about digital is the freedom to mess about: not having to save a film for a special outing. The worst is that it's more complicated to monitor all the settings - and of course, without a battery, you are stuffed!

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menhirmenhir [Member]
08/05/08 @ 09:15

I think it is monitoring the settings that baffles me and the language which is not familiar. I am no expert on white balances. I am getting better at correcting them on the digital imaging programme, which takes time. If I had it right in the first place, in fact if we all did, there would be a problem marketing digital imaging software.

Yes, you are up the Khyber without a pass, when batteries fail and there are no spares to hand. That's where re-charageable types are good for both the small battery using type of camera and those that provide their own oxy whatever ones for charging up. Even then, you can be let down, if the charge runs out!

We saw lovely blooms on the daffodils yesterday; they are at their best here at the moment. I guess, as you say, bluebells next on nature's agenda, a bit later on that yours in the South.

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EllieGantEllieGant pro
06/05/08 @ 20:53

Lovely - you've managed to capture quite an intense blue - I always come away with disappointing photos. The blue is far more ethereal.

SeasideManSeasideMan pro
07/05/08 @ 10:59

Lovely. In our last house, there was a bluebell would right next to the house. I miss that aspect of that place.

Cheers, Tom.

tylluanpenrytylluanpenry pro
10/05/08 @ 11:03

Sorry I didn't comment on this earlier - those are lovely photos! Traditionally Bluebells were regarded as a fairy plant and those areas where they grew were supposed to be frequented by the Gentle People.

Remember the old children's rhyme 'In an out of the dusty bluebells?' :)

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loiswakemanloiswakeman [Member]
http://lois.co.uk
12/05/08 @ 12:25

I do indeed. I can see why they have magical connections - such an ethereal blue and lovely scent must have seemed quite out of the ordinary in a mediaeval world of mud, dung and turnips!

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