I spent quite some time on 28 April wandering the Dunedin Botanic Garden while Nigel was busy with his work. The day was grey and bright and tricky for photography. Here’s a few pics I took when I checked out the pond garden and found irises in flower and bright goldfish hiding under water lily leaves.
Click on any photo to enlarge.
I posted these because several American bloggers I follow have been publishing beautiful photos of ‘spring’ irises so I thought I’d share my ‘autumn’ irises 🙂
For beautiful irises from the current American spring season, some links:
Mike Powell has done several iris posts, I’ve selected these:
Raindrops on irises and Colorful Irises ~North Virginia
His neighbour and good friend Cindy Dyer (whose garden Mike took his photos in) has also done several posts including:
Bearded irises galore in my garden (bouquet #1) ~North Virginia
Ellen Jennings posted a beauty today, a single image:
Swamp Wildflowers, Iris ~South Carolina
Ted Jennings recently posted:
Found On A Walk ~South Carolina
Text and photos by Liz; Exploring Colour (2021)
keywords: fish, goldfish, waterlily, waterlilies, water lily, water lilies
Exploring Colour 
Thank you for sharing this lovely piece of the Botanic Gardens, Liz! The purple irises are so striking against the water, green leaves, and golden- fish. A great combination!
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You’re most welcome, glad you enjoyed the pond landscape and inhabitants!
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Beautiful autumn irises, Liz, so nice to have them blooming as you head toward the brown time of year. And wow on that red / orange in the fish!
Thanks for the link!
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I have a much greater appreciation for irises these days Ellen, they just didn’t used to be my thing. Amazes me how well the colours of the goldfish stood out! The iris photo you posted y’day .. great photo of an incredible bloom!
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Nice that we grow and change in our tastes as we explore the world, Liz!
Thanks, to see those beauties in the middle of nowhere is such a treat.
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This are gorgeous, Liz. I love irises that grow at edge of the water and the warmth of the color of the goldfish makes for a great contrast with the cooler colors of the iris in your images.
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Thanks so much Mike. As you’ve noticed, the colour contrast here between iris flowers and goldfish is really striking! I was surprised how well the colours of the goldfish stood out even from a distance. This pond area is fenced off so there was no option to get closer to my subjects.
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There’s a lovely depth and lushness to the colours in your photographs. Feels like I could just sit down by the pond and watch the fish for a while… 🙂
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Sounds lovely Ann! This particular pond has nowhere to sit which is a shame. Steep sides and fenced at the top. But I do enjoy looking down into it, especially when the flowers are in bloom!
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Lovely!
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The irises and goldfish were a treat to see on a dull day! Thank you Donna.
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Any one of these shots would make a nice painting.
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That’s a lovely observation Robert and I think it would be true too! I had that feeling about them myself, especially the 1st and 3rd pics. Do you paint?
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Oh, no, Liz, I love looking at paintings but I can’t paint or draw.
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Why don’t you shout yourself some paints/pencils? I have some watercolour paints and I’ve done like 3 little paintings in about 2 years hehe – not much of a track record! I’m no artist but anyone can have a go. This little chat with you makes me think I should choose one of these pics and try something abstract based on the pic. I have a sneaking suspicion you’d actually be very good at these other creative arts – in addition to your writing and photography!
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That’s very nice, Liz, perhaps I’ll give that a try this summer!
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Sounds like the Gardens provided you with lots of beautiful images and captures Liz.
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Both of us love and even adore the Gardens, Kay. Very grateful for the beauty and the learning that we get to enjoy there!
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