Go off-route for insane colours!

[StuartR]

I've been in Kent for the weekend and on the way home this evening there was a long delay on the A2 / M2 so I used my local knowledge to take some minor roads (grass growing up the middle type!) and divert across to the M20.

We happened to pass Shedlwich church and I just had to stop and take theses shots of some totally unexpected evening colour. I Initially spotted the orange flowers and then, just a few hundred yards further on, the blue.

Haven't a clue what the plants are, the orange ones looked a bit like marigolds and the blue like sweet peas perhaps? There were 2 other photographers there with DSLRs so I guess it's a popular local attraction.

Wish I'd had more time, got the tripod out and taken a couple of panos but the normally half an hour journey to where the M2 passes nearby had already taken an hour and a half longer than usual so the rest of the family wanted to get going.

[Autumn]

Re: Go off-route for insane colours!

http://dpnow.com/galleries//data//500/MG_3983_DxO_raw.jpg[/IMG]

Well spotted Stuart. They are lovely. Our sweet peas climb. Could they be Californian poppies? Ask Pol, she usually know about these things.

The colours are delightful and what a wonderful setting with the church in the background.

[StuartR]

Re: Go off-route for insane colours!

Could be Audrey, I've got a close-up that I'll post tonight to see if any one can ID the orange flowers. Not sure I've got one of the blue though. I reckon there's way too many for them to being grown for cut flowers so perhaps it's a local famers way of providing some interest before he ploughs them back in - perhaps they're rich in nitrogen or something?, who knows, I'm not a farmer! (nearly was though but chose a different route in life, often wondered if I did the right thing).

I'm really kicking myself now for not getting the tripod out and shooting some panos. I dropped an email to my Sister and she's hoping to pop over there today (she lives fairly local) to take some shots and she'll have a bit more time and won't have the late & contrasty light to deal with. I'm hoping she'll stick her son Piers in the midlle of the orange flowers because he's bright ginger - If she shot from on-high it would probably look like he's got the biggest afro haircut in the world

[Pol]

Re: Go off-route for insane colours!

Could they be Californian poppies? Ask Pol, she usually know about these things.

Moi? I dunno - can't see them in detail and there's a good chance I'd be no wiser if I could.

However, I strongly suspect the fields are owned and maintained by a seed producer - perhaps a farmer making part or even all of his living from growing flowers for seeds.


Pol

[Autumn]

Re: Go off-route for insane colours!

Don't know what I am on, but I meant to say that the BLUE ones might be Cornflowers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Bachelor%27s_button%2C_Basket_flower%2C_Boutonniere_flower%2C_Cornflower_-_3.jpg

As you say the other do look a bit like marigolds OR Californian Poppies.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:California_poppy.jpg

[Jocelyn Walker]

Re: Go off-route for insane colours!

Could the orange flowers be calendulas? These are farmed for use in making naturopathic creams etc! Great shots these especially for colours & the old church background!

[StuartR]

Re: Go off-route for insane colours!

Here's a couple more (taken by my sister not me!) which might make it easier to ID the flowers (well the orange ones anyway).

And yes, young Piers is not really quite as ginger as that couldn't resist it.

[StuartR]

Re: Go off-route for insane colours!

Jocelyn

I reckon you were right with calendula - found this on a US website with pictures to confirm....

A herbal plant with edible blossoms! The brilliant orange and yellow flowers are 1-3 inches across with singles and double layers of petals. Very easy to grow and tend to reseed themselves the next year. The plants are 18-24 inches high. They make excellent cut flowers. Or get wild and add them to your favorite green salad for a splash of orange!

[Autumn]

Re: Go off-route for insane colours!

Yes, Stuart, I had looked it up earlier today. Actually my Dad sometimes called 'Marigolds' 'Calendulas.'

I started to read about it and it got a bit involved, so I quit.

That young man has certainly grown since you first posted his pictures. I don't think he will be too fond of his Uncle if he sees what you have done to his hair.

Anyway it's a gorgeous picture and I expect your sister will print it with the toned down hair.

He looks as though he is thinking "Why do I have to do this?"

[StuartR]

Re: Go off-route for insane colours!

I'm sure she will - he wasn't that happy about posing as you can see.

He starts primary school this autumn, god help them! That should give my Sister more time for her photography. I had a look through her portfolio a couple of weekends back and she's got a really good eye, especially for landscapes. I'll be going to her for advice soon!

[Jocelyn Walker]

Re: Go off-route for insane colours!

A lovely shot of the young lad Stuart! Your sister certainly has an eye for composition & possibly a good camera!

[StuartR]

Re: Go off-route for insane colours!

A lovely shot of the young lad Stuart! Your sister certainly has an eye for composition & possibly a good camera!

My sister uses a Canon 350D - she bought the body and I gave her the 18-55mm kit lens that came with my 350D as I'd upgraded to a 17-85mm. She seems to get better results with the kit lens than I ever did.

Although I've moved on to a 40D I still rate the 350D highly and marvel at the (technical) quality of some of the pictures I took with mine. My 350D went to a brother and I have another brother who has a 400D - when we all get together, which we do regularly, it's like a camera club meeting . I've also "handed down" a 420 flashgun, 75-300 and 70-300 IS lenses so they all like to hear about big brother upgrading

Unfortunately for them, my next purchase is likely to be a 10-22mm and that will be additional to my existing kit, not a replacement!