The biggest single event in the garden must be when the prune tree flowers.
It is pretty impressive and is the earliest tree to have blossom in the immediate area and gets a lot of admiration from the neighbourhood.
For me it not only provides plums, as all good plum trees should, but provides shade for us to eat under in the summer time and the blossom provides loads of pollen and nectar for the bees. So it was with great care and consideration that it received its annual pruning a couple of weeks ago. The result was that a lot of small branches hit the ground and I noticed that the first swellings of the buds were just visible. I gathered some up and put them in a vase.
It just took over a week before I had a preview of the blossom that will eventually cover the tree.
So while the rain continued to pour outside I could appreciate my plum blossom and also get to grips with some close-up photography. I took this using my Christmas present tripod, which allowed me to dispense with flash.
What I really wanted to try was to get closer, not just crop a photograph.
I wanted to see the stamens and the pollen that the bees would be collecting.
Here the four anthers can be seen amongst the stamens
I cannot justify buying a Macro lens but I have bought a reversing ring and that has allowed me to take these photographs with my lens fitted back to front on the camera. It has its limitations, but for 18 euros including postage (it would be cheaper in the States or UK, I’m sure) it is worth it.
I’ve had lots of fun and whereas the depth of field can be a challenge I like the abstract feel of some of the shots.
Perhaps I’m going too far here for some, but I like it.
I doubt whether I’ll be able to take any bees or bumble shots outside like this – but I can always try when it gets warmer!
a french garden 