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Midland Hotel, Morecambe

One of the famous seaside resorts in the UK, Morecambe boasts quite a lovely hotel named after the railway company that served the area, The Midland. Built in 1933 to a design by a young and enthusiastic architect, Oliver Hill, this Grade II listed building has been recently restored to its former glory.

Once inside the building you realise that this is something rather special. Built in the 1930s in the Art Deco Style, the interior of this hotel really takes you back in time to those pre-war years. A number of monochrome prints were in display and in many way the style of the building suits a monochrome image. Below are a few quick snaps taken whilst I enjoyed a cup of coffee. Such a shame I couldn’t spend more time there and take my time capturing the atmosphere of this building.

For more details take a squiz here

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Up to the Gardens …

Well, this time it’s Auckland’s Botanic Gardens.  Since returning to NZ I’ve taken a fews strolls around the gardens and must say that they really are very good.  Such a variety and so well presented.  A real credit to the gardeners who work here.  Anyway, on my strolls I’ve kept seeing this rather lovely tree … well, its flowers to be honest.  Quite large blooms but ever so pretty.  Hope you enjoy these photos as much as I’ve enjoyed looking at the tree!

I met a young photographer there with her Mum and Dad. Each member of the family out exploring the Gardens and shooting with their own camera. What a great way to spend time together as a family.

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Orchids!

I did suggest I’d post a few shots of the plants I saw at the Botanic Gardens in Singapore, and in many ways the main floral feature would be the orchids.  Having said that, the first image in this post is of a very pretty bougainvillea.  As you may recall (having seen images in previous posts) there are a few bougainvillea in my garden, but not with such pretty pastel colouration as this particular bloom you see here.  In fact, it was at this bloom that I met the photographer who showed me the lizard in the previous post.

We have orchids here in NZ, but they tend to be located in greenhouses. Furthermore, I’ve yet to see as profuse a display of blooms as I saw in Singapore. Below are a few snapshots of some of the wonderful flowers on display. Sadly time wasn’t on our side so it was a very brief visit. Hopefully, one day, I’ll be fortunate enough to spend a lot more time in these wonderful gardens.

All images were shot with my Nikkor 24-70mm lens and using available light.  I’d taken reflectors, speedlights, filters and my trusty tripod, but the gadgets remained in the hotel.   All these shots are hand held snaps.  When we visited these gardens I was really feeling the heat and wanted to carry as little as possible.  Camera and a water bottle was plenty!

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A few more Singapore sights …

Whilst in Singapore I was fortunate to spend some time in the Botanic Gardens. Quite a lovely place with many gorgeous blooms to enjoy. Besides the blooms there was, of course, a number of enthusiastic photographers keen to capture the flowers “on film”. With a common interest it was lovely to compare notes and share ideas. In fact, as a result of an earlier conversation one photographer took me to one side to show me the lizard you can see in the first image on this post. A monitor lizard with what look like very sharp claws!

Besides spending time in the gardens (I’ll post a few images if the flowers later all being well) I also managed a bit of time to walk around the city. One of these walks led me near some of the temples which are very ornate and beautifully presented. The people seemed more than happy for me to take photographs which surprised me as I’ve usually been encouraged to put my camera away. Anyway, below are a few images of some temples you might enjoy.

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Shopping in Singapore …

No doubt about it, Singapore has some impressive shopping centres. Top brands offering their wares in air-conditioned facilities. With money to burn this is the place to visit! These malls will assist you to unload your excess wealth in an environment that is very comfortable with staff that are eager to assist you in your spending endeavours! But what about the less wealthy? If you get the chance, take a bit of time to walk around the town and see what other things are on offer. I must admit, that the $2 shop was not what I was expecting in Singapore at all … especially not with $1 specials!

The equivalent of our “Mr Minit” shoe repair seems to exist. Whilst not being indoors, this business did offer shade for the customers as well as a chair. Something our local establishments may like to consider.

This shop amused me as it was most definitely a different bakery to any of the other bakeries I’ve seen. I couldn’t decide if they’d just not changed the name from the previous store owner or if this was a new marketing strategy.

Not all shops are in malls and many “outdoor market” type streets are available where you can pick up some great bargains. Here’s a shot of one such street.

Same as back here in NZ. Shopping is a tiring business and thankfully there’s places to snooze outside many of the shops. The thing is, you felt safe here.

As I mentioned before. I really like Singapore. There’s so much to see and experience here. Hopefully the few photos above may put a smile on your face and show you something a little different to the usual Singapore photos.

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A bit of a trip …

I was fortunate to spend a few days, and nights, in Singapore a few weeks ago. This is one very impressive place indeed. The architecture is a mix of classical old style Malaysian as well as hyper modern, innovative and exciting. Hard to believe that Singapore was a very poor adjunct to Malaysia less than a lifetime ago. Now it is vibrant, clean, efficient, safe, exciting and very wealthy.

Marina Bay, Singapore

Hot and humid for sure, but that was something you could get used to.  I loved the place and could have stayed there for several more weeks!

Not the largest of countries, a mere 716 sq. km!  Even so, there’s lots to see and enjoy in this city both by day and by night.  Hopefully I’ll get to visit again before too long.  I’ll attach a few more photos to this post that may illustrate a slightly different architecture to that in the first image taken at Marina Bay.  Very colourful buildings, some quite ornate, but all featuring the modern Singapore in the background.

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Cicadas

I recall hearing from the experts that this year the cicada numbers are quite low. Certainly that familiar cicada noise did seem absent for some time, but not now. We seem to have plenty of the wee creatures around in our garden … and on the washing I might add. Anyway, whilst out in the garden thinking how dry it is and how the leaves seem to be changing colour … hopefully because of the heat rather than the approach of winter … I couldn’t help but notice several of the cicada skins on my silver birch trees. It always amazes me how much detail of the creature remains and how little of the old skin is damaged as the creature emerges. Looking at the photos below you’ll see its claws, hairs etc. etc. Quite amazing.  Oh, click on the i age to get an enlarged view 🙂

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Nice reward.

I’d been admiring a hibiscus plant over the past few months. I suppose really because its flowers were so much more delicate that the larger more substantial blooms I have in my garden.  A delicate pink with such a dainty flower.  Anyway, after admiring the plant for some time I was given the opportunity to take a cutting.  Just the one small cutting, placed in a jam jar with water and left on my studio windowsill to see if I could encourage some roots to grow.  To my delight, grow they did and once they seemed large enough the new plant was transferred to a small plant pot and left to develop further on the windowsill.

20150221_125710 copyThese past few days have been pretty busy for me and I must admit that it was only today that I noticed the plant.  What a wonderful surprise to see my new plant in flower!  I couldn’t resist and had to take a photo to show you.  Click on the image and you’ll be able to see a larger version of the shot.  Do you like?

The photograph was taken with a single flash with a snoot attached to camera left.  The idea was to keep the background quite dark, but give sufficient light on the flower such that I could use a small aperture.  I wanted to get as much of the stamen in focus as I could, so the lens was closed down quite a bit.  For the technical amongst you, ISO100, 1/200s, f29, 105mm lens.

 

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Just a bit lucky

I’d been intrigued by the cactus blooms at the Botanic Gardens. Gorgeous flowers, but so short lived; many of the blooms just lasting a single day. Setting up the camera to try some photos of this rather lovely flower I heard some buzzing to camera left. I hadn’t finished setting exposure or focus but when I saw where the bee was I thought I’d try a shot or two. The first image shows the bee coming in for a landing on what must be a feast of nectar and pollen. The second shot provides a view similar to that the bee must have as it approaches the flower.  Look to the top left flower in the image and you’ll see yet another bee heading in for a feed.  Quite a popular plant for the bees it would appear!

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Up close!

20150215_130656 copyDon’t seem to have been on here in months.  Thankfully I seem to have been kept busy with one thing and another.  To be honest, of late it’s been more of one thing than another as I seem to have been taking more photos of properties for a number of South Auckland Realtors.  Today, however, I experienced getting up close and personal with a praying mantis.

20150215_131210 copyAlways a challenge when you start to get close to things as focussing becomes quite awkward. Depth of field is virtually non-existent and this little creature wasn’t standing still. He was all over the place. Jumping from leaf to leaf and then doing his swaying and wobbling movements. Most of the images you see here were taken with a single diffused flash off camera pointed directly up to bounce the light off the white soffit just outside my front door. Looking through the camera viewfinder I could see the the praying mantis’s eyes looking straight back at me. Made me wonder if he could see himself in the lens and that was why he kept coming towards the camera! Below are a few more photos to amuse you. You’ll notice that as the size of the creature increases in the image so does the amount of the creature that is in focus. Quite a challenge to get focus. Obviously a lot more practice is required.

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