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annalois36.bsky.social
AnnaLois
@annalois36.bsky.social
2.4K followers 850 following 3.7K posts
Creative, quirky, bookworm. World embracer. House renovator. Mermaid. Dressmaker. Gardener. Partner and mum. Thirst for knowledge. Not an ostrich. Excited by everyday wonders and surface pattern. Photographs taken by me. No AI. No DMs.
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annalois36.bsky.social
"Five J-Lo Hoops..."
for #XtraXmas #GoldRings

#photography #Christmas #BackToThe90s #gold #earrings #festivefun
(Android phone camera)
So, did you sing it? Photograph taken using a macro setting of five gold hoop earrings of various sizes and fanciness, lying on a cream Christmas napkin featuring a burgundy festive design of houses, stars and skeleton trees. J-Lo hoops are awesome. Currently in temporary retirement but will reappear in due course 😂
December 5, 2025 at 8:05 AM
annalois36.bsky.social
Mesmerising
for #Scape #Flowerscape
and also for
#MacroPhotoFriday, #FloralFriday and #FlowersOnFriday

#EastCoastKin #photography #Hellebore #macro #stamens #macrophotography #winter #plantnerd #gardening #shoplocal
(Android phone camera)
Photograph taken using a macro setting looking up at a pale cream Hellebore flower in the local garden centre. Dark green leaf at the bottom of the image provides contrast. Petals are pale cream / soft lime towards the centre. The carpels are a pale yellow with white tips and twist over each other tightly. The stamens are a riotous white mess with pale gold tips. Lastly there are some larger stamens resting against the petals which are very yellow. The base of the petals is a rich green. Love this plant for the unruly nature of its flower and that its beauty is hidden normally, have to get down low to see it. Perfect 😊
December 5, 2025 at 6:50 AM
annalois36.bsky.social
Club Tropicana!

Feeling fancy whilst decluttering the party drawer 😁🤩🍹🌴
December 4, 2025 at 6:15 PM
annalois36.bsky.social
Bridge of Boldness
for #PalacesAndGardens theme of #RedGreenGold

#EastCoastKin #photography #bridge #garden #reflections #pond #winter #Staffordshire #BiddulphGrange #getoutside
(Android phone camera)
Photograph taken from under the Chinese pavilion looking towards the bridge at Biddulph Grange Gardens in Staffordshire. Not my best photo but lost four years worth of photos (dropped my former phone in a tub of decking oil). The scene shows a small red, white and green Chinese-style bridge over a pond into which reflects the surrounding winter and evergreen trees and shrubs. Taken in late autumn/early winter on a bitterly cold day. The garden is Grade I listed and is one of my favourites. It was designed by James Bateman in the mid C19th. It has lots of different themes in addition to the Chinese garden including Egypt, Italy and a fabulous stumpery. Run by The National Trust.
December 4, 2025 at 8:18 AM
annalois36.bsky.social
Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree...
for #BirdOfTheDay theme of #songbird

#EastCoastKin #photography
#kookaburra #birds #feathers #birdphotography #laugh
(Android phone camera)
Colour photograph of a kookaburra sitting on a log perch taken at a local wild bird centre. Bird is magnificent - white and pale grey feathers on its chest and head. Rich chestnut brown stripe down its head with a earth-brown stripe horizontally from its eye. Beak is a smooth grey-blue and brown. Wing is a combination of brown, black, dark green and a pale blue. Feathers are different textures across its body. Its 'laugh' is so distinctive and really quite magical to hear! Easy to photograph because it sat beautifully still!
December 4, 2025 at 7:52 AM
annalois36.bsky.social
Deserted Concrete Sprawl
for #UrbanGaze and #ClassicMono

#EastCoastKin #photography #concrete #parking #graffiti #Manchester #urban #citylife
(iPhone camera)
Photograph taken of an empty multi-layer car park in Manchester. Two horizontal concrete slabs with protective metal edge barriers beyond which is a glimpse of a student residential block. Sky with clouds above. Predominantly horizontals in this image except an obvious vertical pillar covered in graffiti.
December 4, 2025 at 6:16 AM
annalois36.bsky.social
The Finery of Lady Newton
for #PalacesAndGardens theme of #RedGreenGold

#EastCoastKin #photography #LymePark #Cheshire #fineart #Baccani #C19th #history
(Android phone camera)
Photograph taken of a huge painting by Attilio Baccani (1867) of the very beautiful Emily Jane Wodehouse, Lady Newton. She is dressed in a deep green velvet dress with cream lace edging and a red rose at her chest. She has stunning auburn hair and pale skin. The painting has an ornate gold frame and is hung on a tomato-red wall. Would like to have found some fascinating facts about her as a woman in her own right, but all I could locate was her breeding tally of five children. I would like to think she had a dry wit, played a mean hand of cards and could canter on a horse faster than anyone in Cheshire. The painting hangs at Lyme Park in Cheshire. A wonderful day out for the gardens, architecture and Mr Darcy fans. Expertly run by The National Trust.
December 4, 2025 at 6:05 AM
annalois36.bsky.social
Scarlet Treasure
for #ColorADay theme #RedWed

Last post for today. Bed and a book is calling.

#photography #cotoneaster #gardening #red #colour #BloomSky #plants #bloomscrolling #plantnerd #macro #macrophotography
(Android phone camera)
Close up photograph using a macro setting of a section of red berries on a cotoneaster bush. Strong horizontal branch cuts across the bottom third of the image. Taken whilst out on a wander.
December 3, 2025 at 9:13 PM
annalois36.bsky.social
Ionic Flair
for #WindowsOnWednesday

#photography #windows #architecture #balustrade #reflections #surfacepattern #lookup #citylife #Manchester #notgrimupnorth
(iPhone camera)
Photograph taken in Manchester looking up at the upper floor windows and fancy facade of a residential building. The dark-framed, tall windows have decorative balustrades above and are sandwiched between two ionic columns with patterned bases in cream stone. The windows reflect the blue sky above. Yes, I was back in the city and the sky was blue. It does happen in Manchester sometimes, and luckily on my last few visits too!
December 3, 2025 at 2:24 PM
annalois36.bsky.social
Sunshine on a Rainy Day...
for #ColorADay theme #RedWed

#photography #polyanthus #gardening #raindrops #red #colour #BloomSky #plants #bloomscrolling #plantnerd #macro #macrophotography
(Android phone camera)
Photograph taken using a macro setting of a red Polyanthus with a bright yellow middle. Water droplets cling to its petals, shining in the daylight. Green leaves out of focus behind.
December 3, 2025 at 7:08 AM
annalois36.bsky.social
'Desert Today Ocean Tomorrow' by Shepard Fairey
for #ContemporaryTuesday #TagTuesday and #ArtYear

@obeygiant.bsky.social
#streetart #contemporary #art #STRAAT #Amsterdam #scale #socialchange #climatechange
(Android phone camera)
Photograph taken at STRAAT in Amsterdam of a huge (3.5m x 4.85m) canvas showing artwork raising awareness of climate change by street artist and activist, Shepard Fairey. Rectangular canvas (portrait) in a colour palette of turquoise, blue, red, white, navy, black and burgundy. It has a white banner across with navy writing 'Desert Today Ocean Tomorrow'. Above the banner is a 2D graphic of a swan and water within a red warning triangle. Below the banner are hands holding a paint can emblazoned with the words 'Cover it all Oil-Based Policy BLACK Indoor/Outdoor HAZARDOUS'. Around these stark warnings are smaller repeating poster-style images including tourist beaches with oil rigs and an earth with a red rose growing out with 'Eyes Open' across it. Such an impactful and gifted artwork that hits hard, particularly in today's world with deeply unpleasant characters focused on promoting fossil fuels for their own insatiable greed. The American artist has won multiple awards (understandably) and held SO many exhibitions. Artist: Shepard Fairey (also known as Obey) Website: www.obeygiant.com
December 2, 2025 at 7:19 AM
annalois36.bsky.social
Two Headed Swan
for #BirdOfTheDay theme of #reflections

#EastCoastKin #photography #swan #lake #bluesky
(Big camera)
Photograph taken of a young swan, still with its brown feathers, side on at Studley Royal Water Gardens in Ripon, North Yorkshire. It had been feasting on pond plants. Blue sky above reflected in the water, as is the swan so it looks two-headed like some mythical beast. I hid behind a stone pillar to get this shot.
December 1, 2025 at 9:37 PM
annalois36.bsky.social
Rhythmic Cyclamen
for #ColorADay theme #PinkMon

#photography #cyclamen #pink #BloomSky #bloomscrolling #form #macro #gardening #light #shadow
(Android phone camera)
Photograph taken using a macro setting of a pink Cyclamen at a local garden centre. The mid-pink petals create interesting shapes, almost like the ribbon of a rhythmic gymnast. The light and shadows are interesting, as are the negative spaces between the petals. Trip to the garden centre is a great way to get some interesting photos and a reliable splash of colour at this time of year. Also, please do shop local and support independent businesses.
December 1, 2025 at 7:00 AM
annalois36.bsky.social
Ironing...eurgh!
for #AlphabetChallenge theme of #WeekVforVowels

'Ironing' by Henry Robert Morland (C18th)

#EastCoastKin #photography #ironing #dull #fineart #LadyLeverArtGallery
(Android phone camera)
Photograph of a C18th painting by Henry Robert Morland entitled 'Ironing'. Sunday evening task - can't wait (sarcasm). Apparently the subject is a laundry maid...very finely dressed for ironing! Ironing is sent by the devil to keep your feet on the ground so I guess may as well dress well for it!
November 30, 2025 at 10:04 PM
annalois36.bsky.social
Handle With Care
for #Stunday

#EastCoastKin #photography #collage #cacti #thorns #plants #gardening #plantnerd #macro #surfacepattern #colour
(Android phone camera)
3 x 3 collage of photographs taken on a macro setting of cacti for sale at a local garden centre. The shapes, colours, hairiness and spines when side by side are really interesting. Took care taking these photos!
November 30, 2025 at 12:04 PM
annalois36.bsky.social
Jackdaw in a Huff
for #BirdOfTheDay theme of #corvids

Would make a great caption competition. Something has definitely naffed it right off.

#EastCoastKin #photography #birds #jackdaw #autumn
(Big camera)
Photograph taken of a jackdaw amongst grass and autumn leaves at Studley Royal Water Gardens, North Yorkshire. Dark lake behind. It looks cross about something. Always been drawn to dark coloured birds, particularly ravens. No idea why.
November 30, 2025 at 7:33 AM
annalois36.bsky.social
She's up and she's perfect.
Just needs a suitable Scandinavian name 🤔
#fairyonthetree #treefinished #namesuggestionswelcome
(iPhone camera)
Photograph of my 'Scandinavian' Christmas tree fairy in her finest dark green velvet dress, gentle smile holding a star. Stripped wood staircase with white spindles behind. It's taken me all day, few tears and lots of distractions to keep going but it's done. Tradition for the kid to put the angel on top - no need for the stepladder this year! Staircase looks good (the bit of it on the photo at least) - hours of restoration that took. Enough for today. Gosh she's a beauty ❤️. She does need a suitable name though so suggestions are welcome!
November 29, 2025 at 6:50 PM
annalois36.bsky.social
2024 me had little faith in my capabilities this year. Idiot's guide to putting up the tree 😂.
#Christmas #decorating #list
(iPhone camera)
Photograph of a list nestled in the box with the Christmas tree which reads: 1. Test the lights 2. Put on sparkly twists 3. Wicker skirt 4. Decorations 5. Fairy/Angel It is not unusual for me to put the tree up on autopilot* and get to the end and find the lights don't work or I put the ornaments on first instead of last. I guess 2024 me must have decided that I needed clear guidance (with poor spelling)! *My partner in Christmas fun and best school-mum friend passed away a few years ago and ever since the festive season has been hard going. The tree is going up today. Let's see if the list helps. Wish me luck!
November 29, 2025 at 12:12 PM
annalois36.bsky.social
Earth Hour
for #BlueSkyArtShow theme of #warmth

#EastCoastKin #photography #EarthHour #globalwarming #candlelight #backtobasics
(Android phone camera)
Photograph of a cluster of candles during 'Earth Hour' last year. Photograph is predominantly black with three candles: a tall amber one at the back in a glass jar, a small tealight candle at the front and another tealight in a fancy olive green glass fluted holder in the middle. The flames of the smaller two are reflected on the side of the glass jar. Earth Hour is an annual event which raises awareness of climate change. For one hour people are encourages to turn off lights and cease using electricity, and do something nature positive. In my case, I read by candlelight. It was a very calming experience. It is organised by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the next one is 28 March 2026 at 2030 - 2130 hours.
November 29, 2025 at 8:23 AM
annalois36.bsky.social
Layers of Evening Warmth for #BlueSkyArtShow theme of #warmth

#EastCoastKin #photography #sunlight #coast #sea #Dumfriesshire #Scotland #eveningwander #getoutside
(Android phone camera)
Photograph taken on an evening stroll on the Dumfriesshire coast in Scotland. At the bottom of the frame is a dark field with a glimpse of a fence. Beyond are layers of coastal outlines and hills in various shades of gold and brown over which hovers a slowly setting sun in bright white and yellow. Dumfriesshire was one of my first spontaneous weekend adventures and I simply adore the area. Been back a few times and it never disappoints, even in a storm.
November 29, 2025 at 8:15 AM
annalois36.bsky.social
Morning Has Broken
for #Scape #Treescape

#EastCoastKin #photography #trees #November #dawn #silhouette #garden #peace
(iPhone camera)
Photograph taken yesterday morning in the garden before it became light. It was so quiet - before the world had woken up. A huge tree, now bare of its leaves, covers the frame with denser hedging and an evergreen tree below. Sky behind is a restful blue-grey.
November 28, 2025 at 6:37 AM
annalois36.bsky.social
Irrational Fear
for #NightmareNov theme of #phobia

#photography #fear #nightmare #childhood #Iknowitisridiculous #monochrome #blackandwhite
(iPhone camera)
Photograph of sprouting potatoes, slightly blurred because my hands were shaking. Totally ridiculous irrational fear stemming from an horrific incident as a young child retrieving a toy from on top of my wardrobe but instead pulling down a mass of medusa-esque horror onto my head. Mr Potato Head should come with a warning to kids that it isn’t something you can just put away and it stays in its current form. As an adult it's a bit better but I can't handle them. These ended up flung into a bin bag guided by a spatula. I get through lots of potatoes because when they start to sprout, they're gone! Left these longer to photograph for the theme. Getting braver folks!
November 28, 2025 at 6:31 AM
annalois36.bsky.social
Sometimes the sky, even on a grey day, can be spectacular. Like all the ancestors and lost loved ones have clubbed together to send some magic.
#photography #sky #November #magic #everydaymagic
(iPhone camera)
Photograph taken of a burst of unexpected sunshine from behind the grey, cloudy sky.
November 27, 2025 at 4:46 PM
annalois36.bsky.social
Fancy Fellas
for #PalacesAndGardens theme of #People

#EastCoastKin #photography #Tudor #history #armour #fineart #windows #SpekeHall #Liverpool #lightandshadow
(Android phone camera)
Photograph taken at the marvellous Tudor masterpiece that is Speke Hall in Liverpool. OK, so not 'live' people but perhaps someone is hiding in the armour? In an alcove of the Great Hall, leaded windows bring light to the wooden panelled space. On the wall hangs a huge portrait (copy of) John Middleton of legendary ridiculous giant height fame. He is dressed in massive white fancy bloomers, green stockings, gold shoes and a red doublet. Not appealing to 2025 tastes but likely quite the in-thing in the late 1500s. In the alcove stands a shiny suit of armour, a 19th century replica of a 1580s design. Military wear sure has evolved! Speke Hall is a great day out and run by the National Trust.
November 27, 2025 at 6:54 AM
annalois36.bsky.social
Beauty in Signs of Decay
for #UrbanGaze

#EastCoastKin #photography #signs #decay #collage
(Android phone camera)
A collage of four colour photographs showing the beauty in the most mundane of things - ageing signage. These are the little things I trained my brain to notice. Have always been perceptive but I love to walk to stay upright when life feels overwhelming. I would choose a number of 'little miracles' to find on a grey day or set a theme in my head to focus on, e.g. urban decay, bright colours etc. It happens naturally now. Don't need to be anywhere spectacular - there's beauty everywhere. Top left: Clean up after your dog notice on a lamppost, fading, cracking and sections missing. Top right: Metal H sign (electrical) formerly bright yellow but now rusting. Bottom left: A '3' above a '3' stencilled in black on yellow on a lamppost starting to be dulled by green mould/algae. Bottom right: The clean trails left by a snail on a dirty bollard. Yellow with a blue circle and white arrow pointing diagonally down.
November 27, 2025 at 6:39 AM