When autumn comes to Cardiff

When autumn arrives in Cardiff, the parklands explode in a riot of colour.  As a city rich in greenspace from its centre to its suburbs, most people get to enjoy a part of it.

Cardiff Autumn

Bute Park is a giant green lung of the city, playing a central role in any Cardiff Autumn. Wide open playing fields framed by array of different trees begin to take on the autumnal transformation in early October.  Vivid yellows, dark reds, all shades of greens and latterly browns: the colours are stunning.

We’re still not at the peak, but already the colours are remarkable, leaves are being shed and the forboding chill in the air is signalling everything steadily turning south.

Autumn backdrop

Cardiff autumn leaves and trees make a great backdrops for engagement photo shoots or family shoots. Always worth bearing in mind… 🙂

Autumn in The Forest Of Dean

Autumn is the one season closest to my heart. With roots in the Forest of Dean, back over the border in Gloucestershire, it was always a spectacular pleasure to watch the season unfold, and ultimately curl up.

There were always positive connotations with it being my birthday and hayfever season being well and truly over. In the melancholy of nature’s death for another year, I also found a strange romance.

This year there’s significantly additional pleasure. It’s a total joy to watch our new dog enjoying her first Cardiff autumn and Forest of Dean autumn.

[Read more about Composed pet portraits]

Do Not Go Gentle

Without the bleak emptiness of winter, autumn reflects the final protest death throes of natural life. There’s something admirable and beautiful about that. Looking at a fine swathe of autumnal colour, nature itself literally appears to rage into the dying of the light – as the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas may or may not have approved.

But rage it does, as the leaves drift away from their branches and collect on the streets or in gutters, until they become soggy mush, until the browns fully take control.  Then they curl up, disintegrate or are swept away.

Enjoy Autumn Now

Up to now, October 21st, the weather has been kind, allowing us to fully enjoy the change without too much impact from rain or wind. Doubtless that will come before long. For now though it’s worth looking up, or down, and appreciating the small wonders that a Cardiff autumn offers us at this time of year.

Remember, leaves make lovely backdrop for engagement or family shoots, and framed prints make great Christmas presents. Please get in touch if you’d like to book one.