Oasis

Benmore Gardens - yes, I was there again - is actually an oasis of so many features in what is essentially a pretty inhospitable environment. Trees and shrubs from all over the world, carefully nurtured in different corners of this glorious garden surrounded by hills that sustain only rough grass, heather and bracken - it's a kind of miracle, and one that I don't apologise for returning to so often in my blips.

This lovely bright bush is beside the famous Giant Redwood Avenue. Beyond are the hills around Loch Eck, a narrow, mysteriously dark loch along which the main road leads north. This photo was taken around 1.40 pm - I need to return for a morning visit soon, to catch the particular light of the early bird ...