Daffodils

Spring has sprung

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Spring has arrived with bursts of life everywhere and carpets of new flowers. CONTINUES BELOW

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Here in Manchester city centre, little local havens including Parsonage Gardens are a riot of bright yellow daffodils.

A spell of warm sunshine coincided with a relaxation of Covid lockdown restrictions, so I finally travelled beyond the city limits to Dunham Massey in Cheshire. 

Its beautiful grounds boast many varieties of narcissus, the first flush of tulips and Spring shoots.

Then the weather took a cold wintry turn, even with snow flurries. Let’s hope the blooms weren’t too shocked either…

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Winter gold

/ mikeosbornphoto / 4 Comments

The UK winter has been cold with a lot of snow. Thankfully there’s an inexpensive way to bring warmth and colour into your life. READ MORE BELOW

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Cut daffodils are plentiful and cheap in the shops and bring a welcome burst of vibrancy to your home. 

While the UK’s winter coronavirus lockdown continues, photographing these beauties has been an absorbing stay at home project.

I suddenly remembered that I’d captured daffodils back in April when the country first went into lockdown. It seemed deeper and more nerve-jangling than the current one.

This was Easter and we were blessed with warm Spring weather. The shots I created were different to this winter set of gnawing cold and lockdown fatigue. Can you spot the contrasts?

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Daffodils

/ mikeosbornphoto / 14 Comments

Easter. Symbolised by rabbits, chocolate eggs and newborn lambs. 

This is about one of the flowers of the Spring, the daffodil or narcissus, abundant at this time of year.

I brought two bunches of daffodils home, with tall stems and large, buttery heads. They quickly burst into full bloom but didn’t last too long.

This was an enjoyable indoor photography project for the lockdown and allows these flowers to live on.

It’s a highly unusual Easter weekend here in the UK as the pandemic continues. Wherever you are, stay safe and well.

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Northern Spring

/ mikeosbornphoto / 4 Comments

It’s my first major shift of season since moving to Manchester. And yes, it turns out they experience Spring here in the north of England too. The mornings and evenings are getting lighter, and blooms are everywhere. I’ve found a spectacular show of flowers in a place a short walk from here in Castlefield.

St John’s Gardens is carpeted in a stunning show of daffodils and crocuses. This quiet spot is very close to the bustling thoroughfare of Deansgate in the handsome, imposing city centre. Armed with just my macro lens, this was irresistible…

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Narcissus

/ mikeosbornphoto / 12 Comments

Narcissus

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A snapshot of sunshine, colour and the first day of Spring in London. A crateload of daffodils are lined up to go on display. And it was that first day to warm the soul after a long, chilly and dank winter, with sun and temperatures as high as 17C.

But of course it didn’t last. We were robbed of the sunlight today. If it’s the last we ever see, then further photographs – coming here soon – will be all the more memorable.