Common toad
July 2025 - Perspectives
When serious family matters arise, I guess it puts photography into perspective. As competitive, creative and compulsive as one might like to be when taking pictures, it all counts for nought at the end of the day when people close to you need your support. Photography then becomes a means by which to recalibrate and re-energise oneself from the strains and stresses such situations can bring to bear; that’s certainly where I find myself at the moment hence I’ve undertaken very little photography in the last month but each opportunity was cherished all the more.
Fortunately, I still have my work at Dundas to provide some happy distractions and occasional photographic opportunities. My colleague found a Common toad in some long grass and summoned me over. We placed the toad on some roof slates which were piled nearby and I grabbed some quick shots of it. One has to seize the chance whenever it presents itself! Meanwhile on Dundas Loch, the cygnets and goslings continue to grow under the watchful eye of their parents but there always remains a shortage of ducklings given the number of mallards present. I can only assume that if their nests aren’t raided by badgers and foxes, the ducklings are swiftly picked off by gulls and herons. Nature can be cruel. Let's hope the coot's off-spring can reach maturity.
As time with the camera has been so limited, I thought I might try to focus on the wild summer flowers. Looking for creative compositions, I managed some shots of buttercups, Germanders speedwell and marsh orchids; self-heal and daisies are on my list for July.
Meanwhile, we have continued ‘No mow May’ into July and have been heartily encouraged by the return on our front lawn. Both the Hawk bits and Fox and cubs have expanded but the real excitement lies with the marsh orchids that have appeared. We had three orchids in 2023, four in 2024 and this year… eleven! It becomes cringeworthy to think that I spent over 20 years religiously mowing over the top of them which prevented them ever emerging. Let it grow and it’s amazing what can come; our front lawn, with outside edges mown to make it appear as a managed ‘meadow’ is a sheet of colour causing neighbours to remark how beautiful it is. It is interesting to see that parts of other gardens in the neighbourhood are now being left to grow wild for pollinators.
July 2025 - Perspectives
When serious family matters arise, I guess it puts photography into perspective. As competitive, creative and compulsive as one might like to be when taking pictures, it all counts for nought at the end of the day when people close to you need your support. Photography then becomes a means by which to recalibrate and re-energise oneself from the strains and stresses such situations can bring to bear; that’s certainly where I find myself at the moment hence I’ve undertaken very little photography in the last month but each opportunity was cherished all the more.
Fortunately, I still have my work at Dundas to provide some happy distractions and occasional photographic opportunities. My colleague found a Common toad in some long grass and summoned me over. We placed the toad on some roof slates which were piled nearby and I grabbed some quick shots of it. One has to seize the chance whenever it presents itself! Meanwhile on Dundas Loch, the cygnets and goslings continue to grow under the watchful eye of their parents but there always remains a shortage of ducklings given the number of mallards present. I can only assume that if their nests aren’t raided by badgers and foxes, the ducklings are swiftly picked off by gulls and herons. Nature can be cruel. Let's hope the coot's off-spring can reach maturity.
As time with the camera has been so limited, I thought I might try to focus on the wild summer flowers. Looking for creative compositions, I managed some shots of buttercups, Germanders speedwell and marsh orchids; self-heal and daisies are on my list for July.
Meanwhile, we have continued ‘No mow May’ into July and have been heartily encouraged by the return on our front lawn. Both the Hawk bits and Fox and cubs have expanded but the real excitement lies with the marsh orchids that have appeared. We had three orchids in 2023, four in 2024 and this year… eleven! It becomes cringeworthy to think that I spent over 20 years religiously mowing over the top of them which prevented them ever emerging. Let it grow and it’s amazing what can come; our front lawn, with outside edges mown to make it appear as a managed ‘meadow’ is a sheet of colour causing neighbours to remark how beautiful it is. It is interesting to see that parts of other gardens in the neighbourhood are now being left to grow wild for pollinators.
