Sunsets: 19 days that ended memorably

May 16, 2021May 16, 2021 / mikeosbornphoto / 11 Comments

A week of lively weather here in the UK has resulted in a run of spectacular sunsets.

It made me think about the many sundowners I’ve captured over the years, close to home in Manchester and on my travels.

This collection brings together the sunsets I always remember and can almost feel to this day.

Anyone who doesn’t marvel at a sunset is missing a piece of their humanity. Do you agree?

Tap/click first image for gallery view

: Waitangi, New Zealand.

: Manchester, UK. See more

: Fuerteventura, Spain.

: Santorini, Greece.

: Cape Verde. See more

: Salford Quays. See more

: Tirana, Albania.

: Salford, UK. See more

: Prizren, Kosovo.

: Atacama Desert, Chile.

: Cuba.

: Easter Island.

: Agadir, Morocco.

: Manchester, UK. See more

: Maldon, Essex, UK.

: Santorini, Greece.

: Agadir, Morocco.

: Salford, UK.

And here’s the latest memorable sunset from this week. I was looking across to the growing skyline of Salford with the water of the Bridgewater Canal in the foreground. Very stormy skies for the middle of May.

The beauty of decay

July 26, 2020July 24, 2020 / mikeosbornphoto / 6 Comments

Do you think that beauty is exclusively the preserve of youth and vitality? CONTINUE READING BELOW

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I always have fresh flowers in the house and recently bought a lovely spray of roses. Of course cut flowers fade sooner or later and are discarded, to be replaced with a new arrangement.

But this time I held on to the roses as they began to wither away. Fellow blogger and Australian photographer Lee Cleland suggested drying some blooms and capturing them – an excellent idea.

The vibrancy of flowers fresh from the florist is replaced by a darker mood and the sense of impending death.

But the beauty isn’t diminished by degradation. In fact I think the creative rewards and interest are enhanced. How about you?

Sweet Williams

June 3, 2018June 2, 2018 / mikeosbornphoto / 8 Comments

It’s a late Spring treat to find these seasonal flowers in the shops.

With their clusters of multi-coloured blooms and soft, thistle-like buds, Sweet Williams are a personal favourite.

What a pleasure to have them in the house and to capture them for the first time.

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Island of churches

March 18, 2018July 30, 2019 / mikeosbornphoto / 15 Comments

Gozo is a little island in southern Europe, part of the compact Mediterranean nation of Malta.

It may be small, but punches way above its weight when it comes to churches.

These faithful islanders are served by some impressive places of worship which are large, opulent and a dominant part of the Gozitan landscape.

I visited a fair few by bicycle, craning my neck up at some incredible domes and beautiful architecture. The people of Gozo have every reason to be proud.