Photo mash-up #43

Today's theme will be: Brittany flowers!

Happy flowers day!

Hydrangeas

How could I visit Brittany and not take pictures of its infamous hydrangeas, which you can find at almost every place? 

Shades of blue near Paimpol

Hydrangea bushes near Beauport

GR34 path

The Sentier des Douaniers (also more recently referred to as the GR34 way) is an old path along the coast, very well preserved and maintained in Brittany. It was used in the past by coastguards to watch the sea shore and defend against smugglers. 

Today, it is a wonderful path along the coast where you can have a breathtaking view on the sea, while discovering beautiful flowers and plants on the way. 

Thin fence by the Pointe de Guilben

Soft seaside path towards Pointe de Guilben

View on the sea and the Chapelle de la Sainte-Trinité

Bréhat islands

As I was frequently reminded during my trip, the island of Bréhat is in fact not one island, but a full archipelago of islands, where the main island is the one most often visited. The main island itself is itself split into a southern and a northern part, with a very thin bridge linking both parts.

Here are a few pictures of the north of the main island, which I found very impressive due to its rugged coastline and the view on the never-ending sea... 

A sea of rocks in the north of the main Bréhat island

Islands of Bréhat at low tide

Croix De Maudez on Bréhat

Beauport abbey

These are the ruins of an old abbaye by the seaside - from the first glance at its magnificent gothic stone walls and its ancient rooms (which now stand in the open air), the emotion was truly unforgettable... 

The Abbaye of Beauport

Ancient graves of husband and wife in Beauport

Flying buttress details in the Abbaye of Beauport

Apple trees in the Abbaye de Beauport gardens

Trip to Paimpol

After those long (and rather lonely) months, I had been yearning for the sea... And as soon as I could safely make a trip again, I took the opportunity to visit Paimpol, in northern Brittany. 

This place is just wonderful: I could visit everything simply by walking, and the weather was deliciously warm - just look at this vibrant blue color! 

Turquoise sea from Plouha cliffs

Ferns by the sea near Pointe de Guilben

Sea and island view from the Pointe de Guilben

Fern kingdom near Plouha

Busy bees

It's quite a wonder that I managed to take a picture of these bees, they were so fidgety - but aren't they pretty?

Hairy bee

Nectar hunt

Lake area

At last, I was able to go to a further place (though still in the same region) and see again those beautiful little lakes. Next step will be going on holidays in another region, by the sea if I can :-)

Sun on the lake

Stop here

Quiet lake

Cute ladybugs

As you might have noticed already, ladybugs are one of my favorite subjects for photography - they are pretty easy to spot (though quite tiny) and contrast very nicely with the grass color :-)

Fire red

Ladybug in a green sea

The ascent

On the other side

We can finally go out! It is limited to a 100km distance, but that's fine, as long as the time is no longer restricted... Hopefully the epidemy will not start again.

Therefore I am now allowed to go to the other side of the river - which I have been looking at eagerly since the day where the confinement started ;-)

Moored barges

Wild grass on the river bank

Spring glow

Lushy path

A very nice and green path, with lots of umbellifer flowers (among other plants) :-)

Hidden walk

Lush bushes path

Flower umbels path

Photo mash-up #42

Today's theme will be: spiders! ...small ones, but through a macro lens... :-|

Happy spiders day!

Life of bugs

Watching the life of insects through a macro lens, such a fascinating hobby ;-)

Flower spider

Aphids shepherd

Hungry

Purple haze

Wisterias truly are delightful flowers :-) 

I bumped into those after a few minutes stroll away from my place, and remained near the flowers breathing in their strong fragrance so long, I had almost forgotten all notion of time!

Last flowers

Soft purple

Looking for light

Leaf shelter

A collection of tiny creatures hiding in leaves :-)

Ready for a jump

Leaf acrobat

Small larva

Daisies again

My favorite flower at the moment - the easiest to find in the short walks I am allowed to make around my apartment during those confinement times...

Stand up

Bowing to the sun

Flower field