Late April is bluebell season here. But with early April being sunnier than usual this year, the bluebells have appeared sooner too. On a sunny morning last week, I set off early to photograph the bluebells at Antrim Castle Gardens and I thought I’d share some photographs from my visit.
Bluebells in an ancient woodland
Antrim Castle Gardens is home to an ancient woodland. Delicate wood anemones cover the woodland floor in March. By April the woodland is filled with the pungent smell of wild garlic and then swathes of bluebells arrive. By late May the bluebells will be fading, the woodland fills once again with the frills and froth of cow parsley.
Photographing bluebells at Antrim Castle Gardens
I arrived early. With fewer people about, it’s easier to capture the scene without worrying about people and dogs lurking somewhere in the background ! It was already quite sunny and under the tree canopy , it made for quite contrasting conditions. Normally, I prefer to photograph when the weather is a little bit more overcast as it makes correct exposure easier. However, the early morning brightness created a drama of beautiful dappled light through the trees. And so I tried to seek out those pockets of light and capture the scene as I saw it.
As tempting as it might be to walk through the bluebells to get the ‘perfect’ shot, it’s a definite no no. I always stick to the paths that wind through the woodland and photograph from the path’s edge. After Storm Eowyn, I found plenty of tree stumps on which to rest my camera. And failing that, I hunkered down close on the path and shot from there. Bluebells are such beautiful flowers to photograph, the swathes creating a haze of blue on the woodland floor.
The bluebells at Antrim Castle Gardens
It’s been a while since I’ve been out with my camera photographing wildflowers. It’s something I really enjoy, being in a natural setting and just observing. No matter how familiar the setting, there is always something new to observe. I think everyone finds bluebells captivating, all the more so because they are rare and fleeting.
Thanks for stopping by,
Paula
Useful Links
Portglenone Forest: A Magical Journey Among Bluebells
Wonderful photos! 🤗😊
Thank you so much Ashley !