"... in the midst of a great meadow of poppies ..."

[Birma]

Much like Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow, Tin-man and Lion, I have found myself in a poppy field. The same site as last year (see http://www.photoclubalpha.com/forum/vie ... ilit=poppy) is again resplendant with this amazing carpet of red. I didn't get any hint of an intoxicating odour, there was just a steady stream of snappers like me come to pay hommage. The flowers were shorter and less mixed with other flowers this year. I have tried to get some different effects.

All with A700.


Blackstone Poppy Field 1 by Birm, on Flickr


Blackstone Poppy Field 2 by Birm, on Flickr

Both with Tamron 17-50/2.8

[Birma]

They make a great backdrop for the more ordinary hedgerow plants .

Blackstone Poppy Field Hedgerow by Birm, on Flickr

Amazing colours just on their own.

Blackstone Poppy Field 3 by Birm, on Flickr

[Birma]

They reminded me of waves - a rolling sea of red.


Blackstone Poppy Field Wave 1 by Birm, on Flickr


Great rollers looming up


Blackstone Poppy Field Wave 2 by Birm, on Flickr

Both Minolta 70-210/4

[Greg Beetham]

It's an amazing sight Birma, nice photos, someone must have planted them for some reason surely? or are they growing on their own?
Greg

[aster]

So here they are at last!

A grand field of Poppies indeed, Birma. Must be an intoxicating feeling standing there and taking this sight in.

Thank you for sharing,

I wonder how an aerial photo would deliver this field... : )

Yildiz

[Dusty]

Great shots, Birma. Did you happen to catch any flying monkeys in the area?

Dusty

[bakubo]

Wow, I have never seen such a huge field of poppies! Your photos really make me wish I could be there.

[Dr. Harout]

Excellent shots Birma, but from 1 till 5. Picture #6 shows mutant colors on my LCD.

[Birma]

Thanks Greg, Yildiz, Dusty, Henry and Doc .

Greg, the field has been aquired in the last few years by the local wildlife trust. As it has been farmed using fertilisers and herbicides the trust are leaving it fallow for the soil to become poorer so they can try and turn it back to heathland. I think they have ploughed it but that is about it. Last year it was a bit of a surprise to them. The poppies this year are shorter and there are less other wild flowers in the field - this could be due to the very dry year we are having.

Doc - the colours are different in #6 but I don't think this is due to any processing - just the light fading as this was one of the last shots I took that evening. Perhaps this affected the WB. After staring at so many poppies for a couple of hours I guess it becomes tricky to judge colour .

[CharlieWebster]

very nice shots,,,maybe we should make this our "flora" thread?



opps I see there already is one!

[Birma]

Thanks Charlie

Yes, there is a regular Flower thread as you say, herehttp://www.photoclubalpha.com/forum/vie ... =17&t=4854 .

I posted the poppies separatley as I didn't want to swamp the flower thread. Happy for any one to post flower pics there. I especially like to see pictures of flora from your mountains.

[NeilOffkey75]

Wow Birma these are all hugely impressive!!! I missed my opportunity for these shots this year as the rape seed field near me has now vanished!!!

[Birma]

Thanks Neil . (All taken using the Manfrotto 055xprob and 322rc2 .)

You're right that you have to grab the opportunity fast with flowers - it can be tricky to catch a time when you're free, the light is right, and the blooms are still there.

[gio67]

great shots of the poppies Birma,
no wonder hippies loved them so much

[Birma]

Thanks Gio67 .

Flowers do have a certain quality when 'en masse' . It reminds me of one of my favourite Fraiser quotes. "Ah, but if less is more, then just think how much more, more will be!"