Doom and gloom
Posted on July 2, 2021
The looming clouds and silhouetted trees bring a sense of menace to this image, which is further heightened by the thorns on the branch of a rose bush that cuts diagonally across the frame.

Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Trees
Frozen
Posted on June 30, 2021
During a cold snap back in February, the ice on this frozen puddle had an intriguing abstract appearance. It reminded me a little of a lady’s fancy bonnet.

The Convict
Posted on June 27, 2021
I thought I might start playing along with the new Photographing Public Art Challenge (PPAC) that is being curated in alternate weeks by Cee Neuner and Marsha Ingrao. As usual, I’ve turned up late, so this is Week 2.
The idea is to post an image of any example of public art, which is defined as any art form (buildings, statues, graffiti, paintings etc) that is plainly visible from a public place. There’s certainly never going to be a shortage of potential subjects.
My initial contribution is ‘The Convict’. This carving in sandstone can be found in the oldest part of Sydney, around Circular Quay. It’s one of a series portraying historical characters. The ‘real’ shackles certainly bring it to life. I suppose you could say that they are quite arresting.

The White Rose
Posted on June 25, 2021
This rose climbs on a trellis in our garden. The petals are pure white, but the ‘working parts’, as it were, are vibrant yellow and orange.

Eye-Popping Escalier
Posted on June 24, 2021
Cee’s Midweek Challenge this week requires us to show something with an ‘I’ in its name or, indeed, an eye.
This is an unusual perspective on the multi-storey stairwell of a small hotel in Paris. Fortunately there’s also a lift (or elevator, if you must).

Channeling King Canute
Posted on June 23, 2021
My grandson doing his King Canute impression here by trying to turn back the tide on the beach at St Andrews.
Result: predictable. But full marks for trying.

Stuffed And Mounted
Posted on June 18, 2021
Visit any medieval chateau that’s open to the public and you’re almost certain to find a whole array of mementos in the form of stuffed heads – like this example, from near Sarlat in the Dordogne.
I suspect that this is the head of a much-prized bull rather than a hunting trophy.

Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Pets or stuffed animals
Feed Me Now
Posted on June 16, 2021
This fierce-looking swan on the lake in Linlithgow is waiting for its daily bread (even though you’re not supposed to feed them). The little duck is presumably waiting to grab any loose crumbs.

Fighting goats
Posted on June 12, 2021
The colour theme for Cee’s midweek challenge this month is yellow.
In the East Lothian town of Haddington there is a statue of a pair of goats fighting. It’s imaginatively called ‘The Haddington Goats’.
And there’s a yellow wall behind it.

Raindrops
Posted on June 9, 2021
The weather forecast suggests that we’re in for a prolonged dry spell now, but May was very wet, so the foliage was very green and quite often embellished with raindrops.





