Garden by night

[JeffH]

Having spent a couple of hours yesterday afternoon repairing some of our garden lights, I then messed about taking some long exposure shots around the garden just as darkness was falling.

This one shows the spectacular autumn colouring of our Parrotia Persica (Persian Ironwood) tree with my Barn Owl sculpture in the foreground and with the beautiful blue of the early evening sky as a backdrop.

I quite like it but would be very interested to hear what others think - does it work for you?



Jeff
(Schedule 1 Liceence holder for Kingfishers, Barn Owls and Avocets)

[The Woodman]

What a coincidence, Jeff. I noted a comment in the Hornbeam thread about alternative names for the species, ironwood being one due to it's qualities and was minded to think about one of my favourite exotics - Persian Ironwood.

Spectacularly colourful autumn foliage especially in good light as you say.

I like your owl but the shadow on the lower parts makes it difficult to determine at first. Interesting shot though.

[JeffH]

Cheers Woodman

I reckon the Parrotia Persica is one of the most underused garden trees - it gives good all year round value and in our garden is one of the first to come into leaf, the first to start colouring (typically in late July) and the last to lose its leaves. It's also a very statuesque tree.

I planted ours as a semi-mature just over 11 years ago after seeing a beautiful specimen in Cambridge Botanical Gardens and I was delighted to see them used so extensively in this year's RHS Chelsea 'Best in Show' winning garden by Cleve West.

As for my photo, I take your point about the shadow on the lower part of the Owl sculpture but I quite like the effect it creates and that the Owl doesn't immediately catch the eye - you have to look into the picture a little to recognise it

Thanks again for your comments

Jeff
(Schedule 1 Licence holder for Kingfishers, Barn Owls and Avocets)

[vole-woman]

I love the contrast of cold and warm colours.