In the UK our last house had a name.  It was called Holly House on account of the enormous holly trees in the garden.  It was wonderful at this time of year lots of red juicy berries giving the place a real festive feel.

Holly is not something that you see a great deal of here in New Zealand.  In fact I don’t remember seeing any at all.  But I must have done as every time I walk or drive through the lane to our house I go past a holly bush. The truth is I’ve never noticed it before.  My photography practice session the other day was when I “found” the holly and I was excited to see that it was full of juicy berries that will when winter comes produce a real display of colour.  It is of course a sign that we’re going to have a long cold winter too. Or maybe it’s just signifying what family and friends are experiencing right now in the northern hemisphere.  What do you think?

Close by the holly there was some other berries which I have no idea what they were but they were snapped by way of practice.

I like the mix of holly, white berries and ferns in this picture.

Here’s a picture of something much more New Zealand.  I love the way that the koru is framed.  I don’t know how I managed that. This was actually a long way away and I was concentrating on trying to keep the fern in focus.

Just at the end of the walk, this blast of colour caught my eye.  I just had to go and investigate.

I’m not sure but it looks like a wild orchid of sorts.  Whatever it was I got a real sense of Christmas colours right there in nature.

It was around this time that Fortnum lay down and started complaining about having to wait for me!  But I couldn’t help myself.  I had to get right in close.

Aren’t these flowers just stunning. And the grasses look crisp and clear too!

It just goes to show what’s out there in the hedgerows if you’re looking for something interesting to photograph.  Can’t wait till my next practice session.