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The photos were taken using the brilliant Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro lens. Not cheap at an RRP of £1,060 BUT the quality is fantastic. I took all shots handheld just to test out the image stabilisation and was very happy with the results. Used with a tripod or monopod as would be more normal then the results would be even more consistent and allow a greater depth of field to be attained.

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I also had a couple of Permit photos published too from a trip to my favourite lodge - Pesca Maya in Acension Bay.

Permit photos by Paul Sharman

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Leaping Mako Shark by Paul Sharman

I have managed to get out and about to various places to enjoy the spring weather when it has been nice enough. Perhaps one of the most poignant is a potential last visit ever to the amazing Leonardslee Gardens here in Sussex which have now been bought privately and will be closed to the public from the end of June.

The rock garden area was a brilliant show of azaleas and rhododenrons this past May when I took the family along for a last look around.

Leonardslee azaleas

The Rock Garden was a sea of colour

The gardens are also well known locally for their wallabies that live in a couple of large open enclosures alongside the gardens. There were quite a few joeys half in and out of their mothers pouches and yes that is a white wallaby below - not a giant white rat!  They have quite a few in their colony.

One of the white wallabies at Leonardslee Gardens

Vintage car gauges

The Dunce - Leonardslee model collection

Closeup of a camellia taken with the Canon 100mm macro lens

The pheasants are the most obvious. This years crop of game birds being let loose to fatten up for the guns later this year. No partridges yet though.

The trout this season are very different from last year, looking almost like sea trout with large dark spots over a silvery coat. Not like last seasons butter bellied fish at all but all great fighters once again.

Last night saw the first few flies hatching and it won’t be long until the mayfly are on the wing. An event eagerly awaited by man and trout alike.

Here are the first few shots of this season but there will be many more to come. All shot with my iPhone and I’m still amazed at the photo quality that can be achieved if conditions are good.

Sheffield Park snowdrops

Sheffield Park belongs to the National Trust. The original garden was laid in the 18th century by none other than Capability Brown but has been further improved upon over the years by the successive owners. There were a few flowers around with snowdrops, witchhazel and the ocassional camelia taking centre stage at the moment. There were encouraging signs however that the real spring show of daffodils and bluebells are not far away and apparently are well worth a repeat visit. These are then followed by azaleas and rhododendrons in the early summer and a sumptous autumn display of colour from the shrubs and the trees.

Sheffield Park house overlooks the gardens and lakes

The gardens are overlooked by the dramatic gothic styling of Sheffield Park house which is owned privately and therefore cannot be visited. It does provide a dramatic backdrop to many of the views back across the four lakes which are the centerpiece of the gardens. One piece of interesting history is that in 1884 the cricket pitch laid out on a green above the gardens was the site of the first match ever held between England and Australia . Just to prove nothing much has changed over the years you can probably guess the outcome!

A very early flowering daffodil of the Narcissus cyclamineus variety

If you are interested in visiting you can find out everything you need to know from the Sheffield Park website.

Not sure where Sheffield Park gardens are located? Click here for a map!

Hard to believe the camelia family includes the tea bush.

Pamela Sharman on bridge over cascade at Sheffield Park gardens

I did want to share a few more photos though……

Here’s a few photos from the show.

World Travel Market

Traditional dancing

Eye candy at the Etihad booth

I took a less beaten path away from the main trail which had a steady stream of hikers today it appeared. Glad I did as after a short time I came out into a little clearing among some old chalk ‘combes’ or hollows where the Autumn colours and natural harvest was in full swing.

The Clematis seedheads or 'Old Man's Beard' along with the Rose Hips area common sight in the Autumn

It has not got cold enough for the Fieldfares and Redwings to arrive in Sussex from Scandinavia just yet and so the berry harvest is still quite evident everywhere with just the resident Blackbirds it seems keen to take advantage at the moment. One area had several small Cotoneaster bushes, a garden plant that presumably arrived via some garden birds carrying the seeds from the bright red berries that echoed the natural Hawthorn and Rose hips and Guelder Rose.

While most of the larger trees are still holding on their greenery, it is the smaller trees and bushes that are leading the way currently with their displays of foliage ablaze with oranges, reds and crimsons.

The late October sun really makes the reds come alive in these Autumn leaves

One of my favourite small trees is the Spindle, famous for its lobed pink berries that split open to reveal a bright orange seed inside. I was lucky enough to find just one of these on the hike up the hill. Looking back over the weald towards the village of Ditchling there was a nice view of Oldland Mill which has been restored to full working order over the last few years by a team of dedicated volunteers.

Oldland Mill nested in the Sussex countryside