botany

Beautiful Triffids

/ mikeosbornphoto / 11 Comments

I bought two bunches of these popular wedding flowers for the first time and wasn’t impressed. Read more below

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The stalks of my Freesias seemed too tall and spindly, with the blooms perched on top like Triffids. And I was none too keen on their pungent fragrance.

It wasn’t until I photographed these flowers at close quarters that I appreciated their beauty, with delicate mauve and robust pastel pink and yellow petals.

By using a variety of backgrounds, these specimens became photogenic and versatile. I wonder what’s next in my ongoing indoor floral project?

South African beauties

/ mikeosbornphoto / 6 Comments

The Protea is South Africa’s national flower. There was no better place to see them than on a recent visit to the wonderful city of Cape Town.

The botanical gardens of Kirstenbosch have the most amazing backdrop of one side of Table Mountain, boasting a treetop canopy walk among its acres of well-manicured grounds.

I made a beeline for the Protea garden with my macro lens, realising there are numerous varieties of the flowers, beautiful with blooms and after they’re gone.

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Cape Town’s botanical gardens have a majestic mountain backdrop

Atlantic garden

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This is a lush oasis grown on the rich volcanic soil of São Miguel island in Portugal’s Mid-Atlantic Azores archipelago.

Terra Nostra has curious caramel-coloured hot springs to bathe in, but I chose to tour the flower-filled botanical gardens with my camera.

There was every colour of hydrangea – abundant all over the islands – and stunning flowers only enhanced by a sub-tropical shower.

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Dandelion green

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Dandelion green

The humble yet wonderful dandelion clock. Irresistible to us all, and something that just has to be photographed.

This was found on the grounds of Osterley Park, a rural oasis close to Heathrow Airport. Nature’s tick-tock can be awash with colour or a dramatic monochrome.

At least two good reasons for crouching in the grass to capture this delight…

Feather-fine

The Photo Shop

Natural flare

/ mikeosbornphoto / 6 Comments

I chanced across this explosive paragon of fluffiness on a glorious walk around Brisbane’s Botanic Gardens.

Sitting in the sub-tropics, this is a place where the plants seem more exotic, lush and a pleasure on the senses. It’s hard to stop being drawn into taking photographs. I will share more from my visit soon.

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