Interior of a grand Gothic cathedral nave, reflected symmetrically along a horizontal axis to create a mirror image. The upper half shows the real view looking down the nave toward the altar: tall Norman and Gothic stone arches line both sides, with slender clustered columns rising to a richly painted wooden ceiling decorated with colourful biblical scenes, medallions, and heraldic motifs in red, gold, green, and blue. A delicate Gothic choir screen stands in the middle distance, with stained glass windows glowing beyond it. The lower half is a perfect mirror reflectiongiving the impression of a still water surface running across the centre of the frame. The symmetry emphasises the cathedral's extraordinary length, height, and architectural rhythm.

2/5 Ely Cathedral 1

#ElyCathedral helpfully provide a mirror to help view the ceiling, but it works well for snaps too. Norman #romanesque arches and a Victorian painted ceiling.

#OMsystemOM1 #Olympus12100f4

#photography #churchphotography #architecturephotography

A richly decorated octagonal ceiling of a cathedral, photographed looking up. A stunning fan-vaulted dome radiates outward from a central circular medallion depicting a haloed Christ figure surrounded by angels, with ribs of gold, cream, and green fanning out symmetrically to the eight sides. Between the ribs, painted panels in deep teal and red are adorned with angels and gold stars. Below the dome, a ring of tall stained glass windows in blue and jewel tones alternates with painted wall panels showing robed figures. The surrounding flat ceiling sections are covered in warm golden-ochre patterns of foliage and flowers with gilded borders, creating an extraordinarily ornate and colourful interior.

1/5 Ely Cathedral 1

Last week I had a short break in E Anglia starting with a visit to #ElyCathedral - best known for the octagonal lantern built in the 14th century after the original roof fell down.

#OMsystemOM1 #Olympus12100f4

#photography #churchphotography #architecturephotography

A close-up macro photograph of a fern fiddlehead — a tightly coiled new frond unfurling. The spiral crozier is covered in fine brown hairs and contains clusters of tiny, not-yet-opened leaflets nested within the curl. Surrounding it are bright green, already-opened fern fronds with their characteristic feathery, serrated leaflets, set against a softly blurred grey-green background.

Looking for a snap with #new theme for today's #BlueSkyArtShow I came up with this new #fern from #Tasmania in 2023 - probably a lot of #Fibonacci going on here.

#OlumpusEM1iii #olympus12100f4

#photography #naturephotography

A rusting ornate cast-iron balcony railing on a historic building, photographed from below against a vivid blue sky. The ironwork features decorative scrollwork and spindles, heavily weathered with peeling paint revealing rust beneath. The curved balcony edge and supporting column show significant decay, with moss and lichen adding to the sense of long abandonment.

The rusty balcony of Beckenham Place in S London for a #texture fix.

#OMsystemsOM1 #olympus12100f4

#Photography
#decay

Close-up of an ornate black cast-iron garden bench backrest, with "TRADES" and the numbers "32 to 53" embossed in raised lettering across an arched panel. The bench features decorative scrollwork and circular motifs. In the background, a formal garden with a stone pathway, neatly trimmed hedges, and colourful flower borders is visible, softly out of focus.

The Trades entrance to a mansion block in Kensington.

That's put me in my place.

#photography #trades

#OMsystemsOM1 #olympus12100f4

Close-up macro photograph of female catkins on a Silver Birch (Betula pendula) branch, showing multiple elongated, scaly green and reddish-brown seed catkins hanging from a slender twig against a softly blurred dark green bokeh background. Early spring.

5/5 It's #Spring

Silver Birch catkins in Holland Park. Nothing says spring like catkins.

#OMsystemsOM1 #olympus12100f4

#photography #flowerphotography #naturephotography #macro #macrophotography

A close-up photograph of a Camellia japonica bloom, likely the cultivar 'Adolphe Audusson Variegated' (or a similar variegated japonice such as 'Tricolor'). The semi-double flower displays striking irregular streaks and marbling of deep crimson-red on white petals, with prominent golden-yellow stamens and cream filaments at the centre. The bloom is surrounded by glossy, dark green camellia leaves, with a softly blurred background of branches and foliage.

4/5 It's #Spring

A Camellia in a garden in Kensington.

#OMsystemsOM1 #olympus12100f4

#photography #flowerphotography #naturephotography

A bare-branched tree dominates the left side of the frame, its sprawling limbs reaching across a dramatic sky of deep blue broken by billowing grey-white clouds. A narrow stream winds through the centre of the scene, flanked by muddy banks, green grass, and wooden fence posts. Woodland stretches across the background, with an open green field visible to the far left. The overall feel is early spring in the English countryside — bright but cool, with that particular quality of light you get on a blustery March day.

3/5 It's #Spring

I particularly like the beginning of spring when you get a mix of new growth and the bare structures left from winter.

River Ravensbourne - Beckenham Place Park in S London.

#OMsystemsOM1 #olympus12100f4

#photography #landscape #scape #naturephotography

Close-up of Corylopsis sinensis (Chinese Winter Hazel) in early spring bloom, showing pendulous clusters of delicate, pale primrose-yellow bell-shaped flowers hanging from bare brown stems, with green leaf bracts at the tips and small reddish-brown anthers visible within each tiny floret. Soft bokeh background of yellow-green foliage.

2/5 It's #spring

Shot in Hyde Park ,AI suggests this is Chinese Winter Hazel. It also told me "It's a beautifully sharp shot"

Who am I to argue?

(It's probably wrong about both)
#OMsystemsOM1 #olympus12100f4

#photography #flowerphotography #naturephotography

A magnolia tree in full bloom, its branches densely covered with large, cup-shaped flowers. The petals are white on the inside and flushed with soft pink to deeper pink-purple on the outside, creating a beautiful two-tone effect. The blossoms appear against a clear blue sky, with bare brown branches visible throughout. Some buds are still closed while others are fully open, showing the progression of the bloom. The photo is taken looking upward through the canopy.

1/5 it's spring

This week some random snaps that say #spring is here (meteorological spring starts on March 1). Here are some rather lovely magnolias in s London.

#OMsystemsOM1 #olympus12100f4

#photography #flowerphotography #naturephotography

A pile of assorted scrap steel sections and structural metal profiles — including I-beams, square hollow sections, channel sections, and angle iron — stacked haphazardly in a yard or warehouse. The black and white photograph emphasises the varied textures, geometric cross-sections, and industrial character of the discarded metalwork.

Scrap metal in a yard near Lower Sydenham station this week.

#OMsystems OM1 #olympus12100f4
#photography #texture #blackandwhite

Four mute swans in flight against a grey overcast sky, with bare winter trees visible along the bottom edge of the frame. The swans are arranged in a loose diagonal formation, wings fully extended mid-wingbeat, their white plumage contrasting softly against the muted background.

Here's a lucky shot of swans in flight in London's Hyde Park. Had no time to set up the camera or even focus - luckily it was already at 100mm and I'd just shot a distant scene.

#photography #swans #birdsinflight

#OMsystems OM1 #olympus12100f4

A close-up portrait of a grey horse's face, focusing on its eye. The horse has a tangled, straw-flecked blonde mane falling across its face. The dark, glistening eye is framed by fine lashes and surrounded by dappled grey-white coat. A blurred green field is visible in the background to the right.

Here's a #horse I met last week.

#OMsystemOM1 #olympus12100f4

#photography #animalphotography #eye #stunday

A long, straight ornamental canal stretches into the distance, flanked on both sides by symmetrical rows of neatly trimmed trees and iron railings. The calm water perfectly mirrors a bright blue sky filled with fluffy white cumulus clouds, creating a striking sense of symmetry between sky and reflection. The perspective draws the eye to a vanishing point at the far end of the canal.

Throwback Saturday

with a shot from 2020 of the artificial lake/canal at Hampton Court of #two rows of trees reflected in not quite still water, for today's #BlueSkyArtShow

#OlympusEM1iii #olympus12100f4

#photography #landscapephotography #landscape

A late winter wetland landscape featuring bare deciduous trees and shrubs silhouetted against an overcast grey sky. In the foreground, golden-brown reed beds and dry grasses stretch across the scene, suggesting a marsh or fen habitat. The muted, earthy tones throughout give the image a quiet, dormant atmosphere typical of the season.

5/5 #winter

Another shot from this week just over the NE London boundary into Essex and Sewardstone for this symphony of browns,

#OMsystemOM1 #olympus12100f4

#photography #landscapephotography #landscape

A winding gravel path curves through a nature reserve or wetland area, flanked on the left by tall golden-brown reeds and on the right by low shrubs, brambles, and rough grasses. The grass verges are a vivid green, suggesting a mild, damp winter day. Bare and budding trees fill the background, and two magpies are visible — one perched on a branch to the right, another in flight further along the path.

4/5 #winter

Here's one I took yesterday in Sewardstone just over the NE London boundary into Essex.

#OMsystemOM1 #olympus12100f4

#photography #landscapephotography #landscape

A woodland clearing in winter light, with gnarled, moss-covered trees arching overhead, their bare branches casting long dramatic shadows across a leaf-strewn ground. A wooden park bench sits quietly in the middle distance beneath the trees, bathed in low golden sunlight that highlights the green moss on the bark. The scene has a peaceful, contemplative atmosphere typical of a temperate woodland on a clear winter's day

3/5 #winter

More January sun near Cockfosters on the #LondonLoop.

#OMsystemOM1 #olympus12100f4

#photography #landscapephotography #landscape

A dense, overgrown wetland or scrubland scene in late autumn or early winter. In the foreground, tangled grasses, brambles, and low green vegetation cover the ground. A tree branch with dark green leaves hangs across the upper portion of the frame. Behind it, bare-branched trees and shrubs are backlit by warm golden sunlight filtering through the middle distance, creating a glowing halo effect on the pale, leafless vegetation. To the right, tall amber-colored reed grasses catch the light. The sky, barely visible in the upper corners, is a clear pale blue. The overall mood is wild, untamed, and quietly luminous.

2/5 #winter

Here's a rather scrubby bit of land snapped through railings made rather special by winter sun.

#OMsystemOM1 #olympus12100f4

#photography #landscapephotography #landscape

A thrilling carnival ride at the most tremendous height, where jolly boys and girls in their neat school clothes dangle upside-down like washing on a line! Their legs kick about in the air whilst they squeal with absolute delight. What a perfectly splendid adventure! The enormous spinning contraption whirls them round and round against the summer sky, and one can almost hear them crying out "Golly!" and "I say!" as they experience the most ripping fun. How brave they are, these merry children, having the time of their lives on this fantastical flying machine!

Best of 25: 8

Taken in August in #Southend -on-Sea's front - where east Londoners still go for a day by the #seaside.

I like this one as I can't imagine why anyone would want to do this.

#OMsystems OM1 #olympus12100f4

#essex #fairground #fairgroundrides #photography #coastalphotography

A moody skyline view of London on an overcast day, showing the City's modern skyscrapers on the left including the distinctive "Gherkin" building, and the pointed glass pyramid of The Shard on the right, with bare trees and autumn foliage in the foreground framing the urban landscape.

London's #skyline from #HampsteadHeath 10 days ago. It had been raining and the sun was beginning to break through.

#OMsystems OM1 #olympus12100f4

#cityscape #landscapephotography #photography #london

"A gnarled tree branch stretches dramatically across the upper portion of the frame against a backdrop of autumn woodland. The thick, dark branch curves and twists in serpentine fashion, its textured bark creating striking silhouettes. Behind it, the forest canopy displays autumn colours with yellow and golden leaves mixed among the bare branches, while the lower portion shows dense undergrowth and smaller trees in the misty, subdued light of the forest floor."

5/5 #autumn

A snap from 10 days ago on #hampsteadheath in the rain to finish this set.

#OMsystems OM1 #olympus12100f4

#photography #autumnleaves
#landscapephotography #woodlands

A serene autumn forest scene with massive beech trees featuring smooth gray bark and gnarled, twisted trunks. The forest floor is carpeted with russet-brown fallen leaves, and bright green foliage fills the canopy above, filtering dappled sunlight through the trees.

4/5 #autumn

One of my favourite spots in Epping Forest.

#OMsystems OM1 #olympus12100f4

#photography #autumnleaves
#landscapephotography

A majestic old tree with thick, gnarled branches spreading dramatically in multiple directions, photographed from below looking up through its canopy. The leaves display autumn colors in shades of yellow, orange, and green, with dappled light filtering through. The tree's dark, textured bark contrasts with the illuminated foliage, while fallen leaves carpet the ground beneath. The composition emphasizes the tree's sculptural branch structure and sense of age and grandeur.

3/5 #autumn

Here's a shot from one of my fungi hunting trips to #EppingForest via Theydon Bois.

#OMsystems OM1 #olympus12100f4

#photography #autumnleaves
#landscapephotography

This image shows a picturesque park or garden landscape with gently rolling hills covered in golden-brown grass. The scene features a diverse collection of mature trees, including broad-leafed deciduous trees and distinctive dark green conifers that provide varied texture and form throughout the composition. In the center of the image, a small figure in a bright teal or turquoise dress stands on the grass, providing a pop of color and human scale to the natural setting. A bench and what appears to be an information sign can be seen nearby. The background reveals more wooded hills receding into the misty distance, suggesting this is located in a hilly region. The lighting and lush greenery indicate this was taken during summer or early autumn.

5/5 #Suffolk

Landscape shot at Sutton Hoo. The history and archaeology are fascinating , of course, but it's also got beautiful grounds that are big enough for a proper walk.

#OMsystems OM1 #olympus12100f4

#photography #scape

4/5 #Suffolk

A weathered boat on the beach at #Aldeburgh - shot in July.

#OMsystems OM1 #olympus12100f4

#photography #goldenhour

A close-up photograph of a strand of barbed wire with a single water droplet hanging from one of its sharp metal barbs, set against a soft, blurred green background.

I got very wet walking around Bexley this week.

I like this shot, but this was before it really started pouring.

#omsystems OM1 - #olympus12100f4 -100mm f4 lens

#photography #macro #macrophotography #barbedwire #waterdrop

Architectural detail showing diagonal rows of vertical metal louvers or fins in varying muted tones of grey, beige, coral, and rust, creating a rhythmic geometric pattern across a building facade. The elements are arranged in repeating stepped formations that run from upper left to lower right, with strong shadows emphasizing their dimensional depth and industrial aesthetic.

Here's a shot of London's Mizuho Bank building in London (designed by Sauerbruch Hutton Architects) for the #BlueSkyArtShow #vertical theme.

I love the colours too.

#Olympus EM1iii #olympus12100f4

#architecturaldetails
#photography #architecture #london

"Urban street scene showing a white roller shutter garage door with multiple parking restriction signs including disabled parking and 'No Parking - Keep Clear' notices. A bright orange traffic cone stands in front of the door. The entrance is flanked by OSB board on the left and exposed orange brick on the right, with burgundy horizontal cladding visible above and to the right."

5/5 #Thamesmead

Here's someone who really, really doesn't want you to park in front of his garage.

I sympathise.

#OMsystems #olympus12100f4
#photography #Streetphotography #noparking

A black and white photograph showing a covered pedestrian walkway or tunnel with distinctive corrugated metal arches creating a repeating semicircular pattern that draws the eye toward a vanishing point. The ribbed metal ceiling and walls form concentric rings that diminish in size toward the tunnel's exit, where natural foliage is visible. The path has concrete walls at the base with small rectangular openings or vents, and the smooth pavement leads forward through this industrial-style covered passage, creating a strong sense of perspective and depth.

1/5 Thamesmead

This week a set from a walk through Thamesmead - a 1960s social housing development built on marshes south of the Thames on the east of London. This is how I arrived - a footbridge over the railway from Abbey Wood.

#OMsystems #olympus12100f4
#photography #blackandwhite #symmetry

5/5 #Aldeburgh

The gulls are everywhere and very noisy. This one seems to be dripping with contempt for humanity.

#OMsystems OM1 #olympus12100f4
#gull
#seagull
#photography