Autumn Bursts Forth & Twister
Seb: Hey, guess what, it’s AUTUMN. If last week didn’t make that clear, hopefully this does. I’ve never actually seen chestnuts still clutching onto the tree like this — normally they’re scattered about underneath the tree!
I was actually out to take some photos of the trees themselves — there’s a beautiful avenue of ancient chestnuts nearby which I thought would look good at sunset. We’re talking proper, thousand-year-old gnarled and twisted trees that have been around since England was invaded by the Normans. I’ll upload another one tomorrow, so that you can see what they’re like.
But anyway: I looked up, as I always do, being tall and all, and I spotted some chestnuts glinting in the warm, yellow sunset. That ‘golden hour’ has never been more obvious!
This photo is an attempt at staying true to my ‘landscape soul’, while still catering a little more for those that like interesting detail in their photos. And those that like bokeh, of course.
Abi: The fair has come to town- and when I say fair I mean a selection of rides manned by neanderthals, underscored by a lingering smell of fried onions and a soundtrack limited to dance tunes from the mid 90s.
I rarely take any photos at night, I set out this week with a vague idea of capturing light and movement (maybe some people) with no clear idea of what I was really doing. This is a bit of a departure for me so things can only improve.
When I was at school this fair was something approaching a big deal. It has dwindled in recent years but the sounds and smells are just the same as they always were. Only instead of cider the kids are most probably on Ketamine or something. Probably.
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Marmalady
Sep 21, 2009
Are you sure they’re chestnuts? Look pretty much like the beech nuts I found last week. What sort of size are they?
Nice photo anyway whatever sort of nuts they are!
Abi
Sep 21, 2009
Marm.. is this your polite way of saying you want to examine Sebs nuts?.
I think it is, you know.
Marmalady
Sep 21, 2009
thats just your mind abi!
Abi
Sep 21, 2009
The written word Marm!!
sebastian
Sep 21, 2009
Well… I’d always assumed they were chestnuts, from their shells?
But yes, they look very small.
Aren’t the leaves chestnutty?
It’s a whole avenue of old chestnut trees — so unless this one was thrown in to catch me off-guard… I don’t know
Abi
Sep 21, 2009
It was a pre arranged PLANT. I organised a drop in the early hours of the morning to befuddle and bamboozle.
Marmalady
Sep 21, 2009
sweet chestnut:
http://topveg.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/fruit-of-sweet-chestnut.jpg
http://www.allotment.org.uk/greenhouse/fruit/assets/sweet_chestnut.jpg
beech nuts:
http://www.british-wild-flowers.co.uk/00%20Graham%20Calow/Beech-(nut).jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2153/2062172647_11934b392a_m.jpg
both look similar to your picture!
sebastian
Sep 21, 2009
It definitely wasn’t a beech tree, I am sure of that — we have lots of those
I think it’s just an immature chestnut. You will see that it’s a chestnut when I put the full-height photo up tomorrow
Marmalady
Sep 21, 2009
will defer to your knowledge of the actual trees then !
Abi
Sep 21, 2009
I think i made up a tree earlier :S. When I am Queen these shall be the only trees I say!.
Nice to know this debate is still raging!
sebastian
Sep 21, 2009
Well c’mon, the spikes are LONG AND THIN, as opposed to kind of short and hooked…
Now you have me questioning my knowledge of trees
Abi
Sep 21, 2009
oh yah..i was thinking of the hooked ones too.
Marmalady
Sep 21, 2009
but at least it isn’t a conker — that much we do all know!
sebastian
Sep 21, 2009
Yar, the leaves on the horse chestnut are much more… maple-y.
Tina Mammoser
Sep 23, 2009
I love how your images contrast. In a strangely complimentary way.
and you’ve reminded me I should go chestnut hunting in Greenwich Park! They allow you to collect as many as you like as long as they’re on the ground (it’s illegal to touch the trees, they’re actually protected historical thingies) Perhaps conker hunting and beach combing tomorrow!
Abi
Sep 23, 2009
Historical forcefields Tina?. I imagine that to be QUITE COOL. My friend lived v near G park.. two roads away infact so actually I will be NEAR you pre fashion museum! Lets collect chestnuts!.
sebastian
Sep 24, 2009
Ya, the trees in Richmond Park are ‘ancients’ — or something. About 1000 years old, and protected! I think you’re allowed to touch them, mind… just… not climb them perhaps
Though I have always wondered if trees have feelings; and if they do, I wonder if they are happy when someone climbs them, or if they really hate it.
Hmm…