It was the strong contrast of the berries and flowers that appealed to me in taking this shot of a Hypericum species. The plant was growing in the shade of a large bush, and the consequent dark photo helped bring out the strong colours nature plant flower St John's Wort
Late one summer afternoon I came across a whole bank by a local fishing pool covered with these flowers. The low sun and shady situation conspired to intensify the colours. A beautiful sight nature plant flower Meadow Cranesbill
OK - I know the rules say not many pets get through, but this photo of one of my neighbour's cats when he was a tiny kitten has a distinct cuteness factor (for me at least) nature animal cat Frodo
In Pevsner's authoritative guide to British churches, he regards this as a supremely ugly building. Given that the unusually gaudy brickwork is used throughout the whole building, I guess he has a point. But some details, such as this main door, make a striking subject architecture church arch United Reformed Church, Winsfo
Merlin, one of my neighbour's cats, making himself at home having sneaked into my house once again. He may look all cuddly and docile here, and is happy to let you pet him, but if he thinks you're about to ask him to leave, he begins hissing and swearing profusely and stripes you with his claws given half a chance. Don't know why. He used to be all sweetness and light, but seems to have become increasingly cantankerous as he gets older animal cat pet Merlin
A tombstone in memory of a dead child in St Peter's Churchyard, Little Budworth, Cheshire. I found the diminutive size of the grave and memorial compared to those around it particularly poignant tombstone memorial headstone Tombstone
Rather uncommon in my area, this striking longhorn beetle (Rutpela maculata) was photographed on a rose in my garden in Cheshire, UK nature animal flowering plant Longhorn beetle
A late-summer generation Speckled Wood butterfly (Pararge aegeria) on honeysuckle berries taken in my garden nature animal butterfly Speckled Wood
A Red Admiral butterfly (Vanessa atalanta) feeding on Buddleia davidii in my garden nature animal butterfly Red Admiral
A Comma butterfly (Polygonia c-album). The common name derives from a sharply defined white mark in the shape of a comma on the underside of the wings nature animal butterfly Comma
The Buff-tailed Bumblebee (I think!). I've always found these difficult insects to photograph - too restless and the hairs are hard to keep sharp. This is my best effort to date - but could do better nature animal european marsh thistle Bumble-bee
The Small White butterfly (Pieris rapae) feeding on Buddleia davidii. Good job I bracketed exposures on this subject, with so much white around nature animal butterfly Small White butterfly