'Bright flowers' by Me

Bright flowers, a photo by PhotoPuddle on Flickr.

I wanted to post this photo of mine today as these flowers are just so damn colourful. I need a bit of colour to brighten up what has been a very grey, cold and wet few days. You've got to love the British weather. In my last post I said give it a few weeks and it'll really feel like it's winter but actually I only needed to give it a few days. I'm now not sure if I'm brave enough to check the weather forecast for tomorrow. Perhaps, I should just accept that I'll probably be all cold and soggy for the foreseeable future! Anyone fancy a hot chocolate to warm up?

'School Bus Top' by Todd Klassy

School Bus Top, a photo by Todd Klassy on Flickr.

My daughter won't be four until October so she's not old enough to start 'big' school this year. I was a bit gutted about this at first as she seemed to have lots of friends who were of the same age and ability going up to reception class when she'd have to stay at pre-school for another year. I felt she was getting a little left behind. I have sinced changed my mind. She's a bright little girl already so hopefully she'll be super bright by next September. She'll have another year to gain more self confidence too. Also, and most importantly, I've realised I'm not ready to let her go! She'll be doing a couple of full days at pre-school this year but I can't say I'm ready for her to be at school all day every day. The past four years have just gone by so quickly! I'm going to make sure I enjoy the next year of semi-freedom with her as much as possible.

Here is a very fitting photograph to accompany a post about school. I don't think it needs much explanation. Yellow and blue is such a great combination and you know how I'm a sucker for a bright blue sky!

'Daffodil season' by Me

Daffodil season, a photo by PhotoPuddle on Flickr.

As I mentioned in yesterday's blog post I took some pictures of daffodils which I was looking forward to sorting through. I ended up being rather pleased with them and this one is my favourite. In fact looking at it now I realise that I like it even more than I did last night. Daffodils really are the most perfect spring flower aren't they? So bright and happy - truely a sunshine flower.

'Bergeronnette printanière' by lilian.lemonnier

Bergeronnette printanière, a photo by lilian.lemonnier on Flickr.

It's hard not to love this photo. It's just so subtle and delicate and the fact that it doesn't contain much colour other than yellow really doesn't matter. In fact, I think it makes the photo. And I think you'll find that if you listen very carefully you can hear the beautiful bird song. Shhh, have a listen....

I hope you've all had a beautiful weekend.

'The last blossom' by puffy eyes

The last blossom, a photo by puffy eyes on Flickr.

Just a quick one to show you this really striking photo. I love the contrast between the delicate yellow blossoms and the hard grey pavement. I wonder whether the photographer put the flowers there or if there was a tree overhead that they'd fallen off. Either way it makes for a beautiful and creative image. Love it!

Happy weekend everyone!

'The smell of summer ....' by Weirena

The smell of summer ...., a photo by Weirena on Flickr.

Today was a summer day. The sun shone brightly, it was hot and we had ice creams. We went to the park to hang out with friends and it was lovely. I love watching our children play together while us mums have a good old natter. I don't think this weather will continue but it was a fantastic goodbye to summer.

I was instantly drawn to this photo as I can't help but smile when I see bright yellow flowers. I really love the colours and tones of this. And I love that the flowers aren't perfect. Some aren't open, some of the petals are bent and I'm sure there's bug crawling on the lens. But that's what makes it great. It's real and real is beautiful.

Happy weekend to you all!

'Untitled' by satoko yugari

Untitled, a photo by satoko yugari on Flickr.

My favourite thing about this picture is the colour as I think yellow and blue makes such a bright and striking combination! I also think the palm tree in the top right hand corner really works well. But this is really one of those photos where I shouldn't need to explain why I love it. I am posting it though because I've just checked the weather forecast for next week and it's not looking good. In fact it ranges from "Light Rain" to "Thundery Showers". Oh well, I guess I'll just have to look at this lots and pretend I am sitting on one of those sun loungers.

'Soft, Spring Rain' by Darrell Wyatt

Soft, Spring Rain, originally uploaded by Darrell Wyatt.

Do you ever find yourself smiling so much your cheeks hurt? Well I was a bit like that today. It was beautiful weather today and my daughter and I joined some friends for a picnic in the park. It was just so nice sitting in the sunshine, chatting with my mates and watching my girl and her little friends playing together so nicely. I realised at one point I was was grinning like the Cheshire Cat!

The colours make this such a bright and happy picture. It makes you want to sit outside in the sunshine. However, you will notice that the photo is called 'Soft, Sping Rain' and you can see perfectly captured raindrops falling from the sky. If only all rainy days could be as pretty as this!

'daffodils in a enamel kettle' by air-kiss

daffodils in a enamel kettle, originally uploaded by air-kiss.

It was such beautiful spring day today. In fact at some points it even felt like summer. Little one and I spent the afternoon at a fantastic park that's fairly near us and had a fabulous time together. I had hoped to get some lovely daffodil photos as they were everywhere but unfortunately this wasn't going to be possible. There's no way of hiding behind a camera, crouching down and taking photos of flowers whilst at the same time stopping your two year old from running off! Never mind there are a lot of daffodils around at the moment, I'm sure I'll get the opportunity soon!

So as I didn't get many daffodil photos taken myself here is a beautiful one by someone else that I think you might like. I love the soft colours and I think the composition is great. I like the way that the daffodils are displayed in lots of different ways. But best of all I just think it's really pretty.

'Sunflower HDR' by Sheephead_

Sunflower HDR, originally uploaded by Sheephead_.

I hope your week has started well. If not let's start it off again with a huge burst of colour! I always love photos of sunflowers because I love the bright cheerful colours so imagine how happy I was when I saw this one. It's just all about the colour. That bright pink, yellow and green just jump right off the screen at you don't they? An instant mood lifter if ever I saw one.

'Yellow Flower ~ Landscape' by catherinemcglynn

Yellow Flower ~ Landscape, originally uploaded by catherinemcglynn.

So how's your weekend been? The past few days have really been so hot here. It's like it's been summer again. You've got to love the British weather!

The picture I am featuring here is a fantastic summer weather photo even thought on first glance it doesn't look like the weather has anything to do with it. When I first saw it I thought it was stunning as yellow and blue together is always a great combination. I presumed it was done in a studio with great lighting but then I read the description. It was actually taken on a glass outdoor table. Apparently the sky was so blue it made the table bright blue too and simply putting a flower on the table made this awesome effect. Now I'm thinking about swapping my wooden patio table for a glass one. Hmmm....

'colour me yellow' by Lulu & the Locket

colour me yellow, originally uploaded by Lulu & the Locket -------(*).

I'm going to have to be quick tonight as I appear to have sprained my hand. It's been agony all day but it seems to be easing a little tonight. I am therefore going to be sensible and get off the computer in a minute as typing really isn't helping my recovery.

My husband bought me a gorgeous bouquet of flowers earlier this week just to cheer me up as it'd been a bit of a stressful weekend. Annoyingly, I've not actually had the chance or any good light to take any photos using them which is a real shame. Fingers crossed they'll still look nice tomorrow.

Therefore, I'm going to post this wonderful flower photo instead as it would also really cheer me up if I was feeling blue. It's amazing how the tones in this photo are really soft but the yellow is still to bright and vibrant. I'm smiling right now you know!

'August butterfly' by Me

August butterfly, originally uploaded by PhotoPuddle.

You may remember in a previous post that I was desperately after a butterfly to pose for a picture for me. Well, whilst walking around Wakehurst Place in Sussex today I finally found one and here is the result! What do you think? I reckon it turned out OK and I wasn't even meant to be taking any photos today. Hope you've all had a great weekend and that those of you who had your cameras out got some great shots!

'honey child' by jamesgalpin

honey child, originally uploaded by jamesgalpin.

I don't there's really much I can say about this amazing image as it pretty much speaks for itself. The detail in it is just amazing. It almost feels like you are inside that flower yourself. And of course I love the colour. Yellow really is the happiest colour of all! Anyway, I'll shut up now and let you sit back and enjoy the photo.

'Bright as a Daisy!' by Christine Eaves

Bright as a Daisy!, originally uploaded by Christine Eaves.

Not many words from me tonight. Just going to show you this beautiful daisy photo. It's gorgeous because of its simplicity and the focus is fantastic. But what I really love are the bright colours. Makes it such a sunny and happy photo. I hope it makes you smile a little.

'Burst of yellow' by Me

Burst of yellow, originally uploaded by PhotoPuddle.

I took this. I love taking macro shots of flowers. I just love all the detail they expose, for example if you look hard enough at this one you can see that the flower looks almost furry. It's also a great opportunity to capture some fantastic bright colours. Here, here and here are a few more macro flower shots I have taken. They've been featured on the blog already but it was before anyone was actually reading it so you may have missed them!

'Yellow Burst' by James Green (jag)

Yellow Burst, originally uploaded by James Green (jag).

Now the summer is in full swing so all the beautiful flowers are coming into bloom. It's getting rather annoying actually. I'll be enjoying a nice walk with my daughter in her pushchair when all I can see are gorgeous flowers in people's front gardens that I just so want to photograph. One of these days I will give in and knock on the front door and ask if they mind me taking pictures in their garden. Actually no, that day will never come! I'd never have the confidence to do something like that!

This photo is one that I wish I'd taken. I love really close up shots of flowers as it really makes them seem even more beautiful and interesting. What strikes me about this one is the focus of the petals. It's a really clear and sharp macro shot but the petals are just really soft and dreamy. And I just love that shade of yellow.

I'll post some of my own flower photos soon and don't worry, you don't need to watch out for a strange woman with a camera hanging around in your flowerbeds! I'll be good I promise!

'Sweeties' by Me

Sweeties, originally uploaded by PhotoPuddle.

Anyone for a strawberry sweetie? I took this today in a totally unplanned photo shoot! Basically, I had a little box of sweets and was tipping one out into my hand to eat. However, I obviously tipped too far as all the sweets came out. But looking down at them in my hand I really liked how they looked and had to take a photo. So I grabbed my camera, swiped some coloured paper from my daughter's box of craft stuff and got clicking!

Oh and in case you were wondering these sweets are from M&S and are totally delicious!

'The flower behind the refraction' by Morphicx

The flower behind the refraction, originally uploaded by Morphicx.

I love close up shots of flowers and this one is just fantastic. It's a real burst of colour. I love the yellow and pink together. And what makes this extra special is the water droplets on it. Fantastic detail. I am so pleased that summer is almost here and all the summer flowers will soon be blooming. I'll hopefully be able to lots of lovely macro flower shots that I can share with you. Fingers crossed they'll be as great as this one.

'day 80::365 gratitude::achievement' by LaundryGirlPhotog

day 80::365 gratitude::achievement, originally uploaded by LaundryGirlPhotog {{on a mini break}}.

Happy Weekend everyone!! Hope you all have a fabulous couple of days whatever you get up to. Mine is going to be rather busy as our days are filled with visiting friends and family. It will be Sunday night before we know it.

I've picked this photo simply because of the beautiful colours. The picture is lovely for other reasons too but it's the colours that kept me coming back to look at it again and again.