I've been really enjoying the mild winter days we've had so far - beautiful clear blue skies that make you glad you're alive! It's also been great for photographing flowers.
My plan for this blog has always had 2 main goals. Firstly, to showcase the beauty and versatility of proteas and australian natives which are sometimes undervalued as cut flowers, and also, to provide an online guide to what's available and when at Swallows Nest. Creating a catalogue of what we grow has been quite difficult! Its been a project I've started a few times and then put off. Because I'm a visual person, it really had to be an illustrated catalogue. These blue skies we're having are providing a great backdrop for catalogue illustration photos, and its given me the little push I've needed to get the job done, or at least nearer to completion!
My plan for this blog has always had 2 main goals. Firstly, to showcase the beauty and versatility of proteas and australian natives which are sometimes undervalued as cut flowers, and also, to provide an online guide to what's available and when at Swallows Nest. Creating a catalogue of what we grow has been quite difficult! Its been a project I've started a few times and then put off. Because I'm a visual person, it really had to be an illustrated catalogue. These blue skies we're having are providing a great backdrop for catalogue illustration photos, and its given me the little push I've needed to get the job done, or at least nearer to completion!
When it's all finished, it will be published as a permanent link at the top of the blog.
I know winter won't all be like this!! Enjoying it while I can!
The crop of lovely long Safari Goldstrike singing in the sunshine!
Some of the Grampians Thryptomene is flowering early this year - handy for getting a good portrait shot! It's not usually like this until July.
One of my little companions taking photos with my iphone and having a great old chat!
Difficult to really capture the shimmering beauty and structure of the Silver Tree - this is more of a close up shot really, but look at that blue sky!
Leucadendron Red Gem - one of my favourites - just such a quiet achiever. Large tulipy blooms with a great range of colour throughout the year, great stem length and not at all fussy. A very satisfying flower to grow!
Grace your blog has become both a showcase and inspiration! An international advertisement of note. Cant wait to see your catalogue. Looking at your lovely pictures I have many questions as I am in a learning curve having done my first plantings in 2010. Thanx for sharing
ReplyDeleteKemp
Kemp, I think we are both learning at the same time! I have only really visited one other protea farm of a similar size to mine ( there are some on the mainland of Australia that are huge!!!). It was such a treat to see how things were growing there and I would love to see others. So glad you like the blog, although I think you are making it sound better than it is!! Thanks for the compliment though!
DeleteGrace
and how nice it is to be able to learn new things every day! Well, if you guys ever want to visit South Africa - especially the Western Cape the fynbos and protea family grow in abundance in the wild - you are most welcome. We really are fortunate but it takes someone special to bring it out for others to enjoy in the manner you do
ReplyDeleteIf I ever get to South Africa, it will be the proteas that I'll want to see!! I found you on facebook and had a look at your photos - lots of questions on my side too. Your farm looks flatter than ours, and more cleared. And your plantings are closer together than ours are. Fascinating! It all looks very beautiful! Thanks again for your kind comments about the blog!
DeleteGrace