Pussy Willow

March and April is the time to look out for Pussy Willows. Last year Nick Gooderham organised an early Spring photographic event on the Avon. Expectations were for more of a social occasion and pleasant walk rather than any magical photo opportunities. But there were ample things to see and record even at this time of year. Many photos were taken of willing Swan models but for me the best was the Pussy Willow. I tried a number of angles and compositions  Normally for the book I have been careful to show subjects in the context of their surroundings in the chalk stream valleys but in this case I decided a close up to display them at their best. Perhaps surprisingly for those who are photographers, these shots were not taken with a standard or macro lens but with a very long lens which had the effect of isolating the subjects from the rather messy background and instead gave a rather atmospheric soft coloured back drop.