I spent the afternoon wandering and learning how to use an old Pentax K10D that I bought second-hand to practise. I really like the dramatic look it can produce. Though it’s quite tricky to use, maybe I’m not a skilled photographer yet, but I’ve started to pick up a few tricks and experiment with different lighting conditions.
I’d love to be able to use a camera fully manually one day. Phones take great photos nowadays, but there’s something about understanding the settings and functions of proper photography. It makes me curious, and I hope I can keep learning.
Today I focused on wildflowers, and everything around me was lush and blooming. I’ll also share a few little tidbits about them.
Hawthorn is a great heart tonic. It is also seen as a symbol of love, protection, and the arrival of spring.
English native bluebells are legally protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. They are not allowed to be sold or uprooted, so taking photos is the best way to enjoy them. You could be fined up to £5,000 (depending on the severity of the offence).
In old stories, they were believed to grow in ancient woodlands where fairies lived, and it was said that if you disturbed them too much (by ringing them), it would disturb the fairies, as they were believed to grow where fairies dwell.
Vetch is a fast-growing flower in the pea family. The leaves and pea-like seeds are edible, though the seeds need proper processing (soaking and boiling to remove toxins), or they can cause stomach upset. I have nibbled them before out of curiosity, and they taste exactly like peas.
This is a buttercup. Children often place it under someone’s chin to see if it reflects a yellow glow on the skin. They then ask, “Do you like butter?” If there is a reflection, it means you like butter; if there isn’t, it means you don’t. It’s just a bit of fun.
Purple Honesty
White honesty. Both produce seed pods that, in autumn, develop into a silvery, translucent white, almost like capiz shells. These papery discs are highly valued for rustic decorations and can last for several years when dried properly.
Daisies are dainty, small, and cheerful wildflowers that grow almost everywhere.
Red campion
In folklore, it is seen as a hedgerow fairy flower. It grows on boundaries to mark fairy ground and symbolises gentle love and woodland magic. It is a beautiful, bright pink; you won’t miss it.
Apple blossoms were seen as a sign of blessing, abundance, and sweet fortune to come.
Forget-me-nots were traditionally given as a token of remembrance before separation, symbolising the hope that you would not be forgotten when apart, hence the name.
Dandelion
Dandelion flowers are not only nutritious, but they also symbolise sunshine, resilience and wishes.
People blow on a dandelion seed head when they want to make a wish or let something go.
Then I headed home through this lush road.
That was a good exercise, better than yoga, I would say, lol. But definitely lots to learn in photography.
I hope you enjoyed this flower collection and all the little nature tidbits. I had a lovely time photographing them as I wandered around. 🙂
All photos were taken by me today using my second-hand Pentax K10D, 52mm lens.
Have a lovely day.
Mariah 🌸