Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » Dierdre Tomlinson

Merlin’s Hollow, My First May Visit, Art of Decay

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sun, 26 May 2013 05:07:28 +0000

This is my third year visiting and photographing the Merlin’s Hollow English garden here in the Town of Aurora. In the past I have been starting my visits in June.

You can definitely find more flowers later in the summer, but late spring always has many beautiful surprises thus it was my attempt not to miss this year’s May visit.

Merlin’s Hollow, Aurora

And I am glad that I didn’t miss the May visit as I was able to add more flowers to my Merlin’s Hollow flower collection. Despite the cold temperatures and rain, I was able to find new plant species never mind in three life stages – closed bulbs ready for blooming, full blooming flowers and decaying flowers.

As always I tend to photograph the perfect flowers; however, this time I found art in the decay – an abstract art.

Tulip, Merlin’s Hollow, Aurora

Over the years when photographing flowers I choose to look at the beautiful blooming flowers, but I will not do that anymore, I am going to enjoy all stages of life of the plant species. They all deserve attention.

Yes, I find abstract in the decaying flowers. The perfect patterned architecture of the flowers does not exist anymore. As the decay progresses the inner beauty of the flower is revealed, the seeds form and the beauty is passed on. Okay, not always from seeds.

Merlin’s Hollow, Aurora

So I am bragging about decaying flowers and almost none are here. However, I did post more Merlin’s Hollow photos on Facebook and you can find decaying one there hiding between other photos. I did expend my horizons and I have been more active on the social media.

I do showcase more photography of Aurora and beyond on Facebook, so you are more than welcome to be my friend, see badge on the sidebar.

Merlin’s Hollow, Aurora

The visits to the Merlin’s Hollow aren’t just about the flowers. I always look forward to meet Dierdre. She is a story teller and I enjoy every chance I get to talk to her. As well I get little hints there and there from David what to look for.

David Tomlinson, Merlin’s Hollow, Aurora

Visitors, Merlin’s Hollow, Aurora

I came later in the afternoon and I was amazed how much I was able find to photograph even thought I have been in this garden many times. No moment or time or plant species are the same. I nearly spent there two hours and probably would more, but then family obligations – my gang was waiting for me at home.

Merlin’s Hollow, Aurora

Melinda’s Room, I’ve Always Considered Myself A Lucky Person

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Mon, 20 May 2013 06:02:50 +0000

I was thinking about Dierdre and she was also thinking about me. She tried to get hold of me and invite me to the Melinda’s Room opening reception evening on May 2nd, 2013 at the Aurora Cultural Centre. At the same time I was planning as well to visit Melinda’s Room exhibition that evening, but a bit later.

I also wanted to see Dierdre as I have not seen her since last fall. After all, it was a pleasure to meet smiling Dierdre and David again.

Melinda’s Room, Images & Words, Aurora Cultural Centre

Dierdre Tomlinson, Melinda’s Room, Aurora Cultural Centre

The exhibition was assembled to celebrate Melinda’s life who lost her battle to extreme Bi-polar disorder. Dierdre and David Tomlinson’s showcased Melinda’s intriguing artwork and writings. I was privileged to receive from Dierdre her speech notes quoting this:

“Her subjects were often the disadvantaged, the bullied, poor or handicapped; bag ladies and strippers. Eccentric paintings, framed by several tiny written lines of text, cast a compassionate eye on people trapped in unenviable lives. She knew that well – for almost all her adult life she displayed dignity and courage in an incremental battle with extreme Bi-polar Disorder.“

Dierdre Tomlinson, Melinda’s Room, Aurora Cultural Centre

It was such a beautiful and peaceful evening, an evening of closure, and I got an opportunity to observe almost all through my lens. Amazing level of engagement from visitors looking at Melinda’s artwork and reading Melinda’s writings that were posted on the walls and also assembled into binders.

David Tomlinson, Melinda’s Room, Aurora Cultural Centre

In the early days when I was just getting to know Dierdre she always told me stories. She also told me a bit about Melinda. More so she sent me home with material to read. She never explicitly told me about her daughter then, but she did give me pages of words that told stories about Melinda’s life.

“I’ve Always Considered Myself A Lucky Person“, these were the words written to Dierdre by Melinda, and she always will be lucky to have such inspiring parents.

Melinda’s Room, Images & Words, Aurora Cultural Centre

Melinda’s Room exhibition is open to public at the Aurora Cultural Centre until mid June and I encourage you to visit if you can.

Michelle, Melinda’s Room, Aurora Cultural Centre

Fall Flowers at Merlin’s Hollow, Unavoidable Brown-Eyed Susans

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 03:05:14 +0000

In the late spring we can find lot of yellow accents around the neighborhood, yellow dandelion accents. In the fall we get double take because of the changing color in the leaves and then there are flowers like Brown-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba).

Brown Eye Susan, Merlin’s Hollow, Aurora

The Brown-Eyed Susans are now found everywhere including Merlin’s Hollow. I had my last visit to the Merlin’s Hollow couple of weeks ago. Flowers were still blooming. Bees, wasps, flies were all at work, flying from flower to flower and doing their job.

Merlin’s Hollow, Aurora

Some buds were not opened yet.

Merlin’s Hollow, Aurora

This post is more for you to enjoy the lasts of the summer. I photographed this set when it was still summer and it was very warm that day. The fall is here now believe or not. The nights are much cooler. Days are cool as well, but you can still enjoy gentle heat from the sun. Reds, yellows and some green are now accenting Town of Aurora.

Merlin’s Hollow, Aurora

Perfect white. How often can you find a flower pure white and undamaged? It could go either way, but this one was prefect.

Merlin’s Hollow, Aurora

Every spring, early flowering crocus is almost in all gardens, but every fall, the Colchicum, or fall crocus, comes out from nowhere when the garden is in decline. The fall crocus certainly is delicate, slender, beautiful flower, and somehow taller and was unavoidable.

Well Tom Yates was unavoidable as well that day. I left Merlin’s Hollow that day feeling that something will be up anytime soon, and yes Tom got in touch with me to present my blog to the Aurora Seniors. Nothing is set in stone, but I will be on the road with my blog again sometimes in November.

Merlin’s Hollow, Aurora

Definitely interesting visit – unavoidable Brown-Eyed Susans, unavoidable fall crocus, unavoidable Tom Yates and this unavoidable beautiful garden bright blue bench.

Tom Yates and his wife are professional photographers and you can view their beautiful work on their website Portcullis.

Blue Bench, Merlin’s Hollow, Aurora

Merlin’s Hollow, Busy Bee World Under The Microscope

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 20:23:38 +0000

I almost forgot that I had all these nice pictures of bugs I took at the Merlin’s Hollow English garden visit at the beginning of this month. Not sure if I said that before but Merlin’s Hollow garden is always full of surprises and this year I entered another dimension – the macro world.

A Fly, Merlin's Hollow English Garden

I remember those days when all the birds I saw around me always look the same, but not until I got birding book, camera and photo lens. Now I can say the same about the insects. At some point they all used to look the same especially bees and flies. Well it isn’t the case anymore and I shall put that blame on my macro lens.

So here I am standing and bending and taking photos but I couldn’t help to listen to the conversation, okay I was kind of eavesdropping, but I was there and wasn’t hiding – may be it does not count. The conversation was between a visiting lady and David Tomlinson.

A Snail, Merlin's Hollow English Garden

I am not sure who it was, may be she was talking about her son. She was little disappointed that, let say it was her son she was talking about, after graduating from university wants to be a farmer. Okay at that point I did not have any particular subject to photograph in front of me so I turned around and said: ‘Trust me after graduating from university we all want to be farmers‘.

‘Why, did you go to university?‘ – she asked. ‘Yes, many years ago and why – because it is very stressful, and it does not get any better because some of the jobs become very demanding‘. And then Mr. Tomlinson added ‘or go to university to get a job to support your farm‘. ‘Exactly‘ – I nodded.

A Bee, Merlin's Hollow English Garden

Speaking of farming let me bring to your attention my latest finding about this open source ecology project. You can watch the video here and find out more about the open source ecology project started by Marchin Jakubowski. However, this is the closest example of putting your degree into a good use – farming.

A Lady Bug? Merlin's Hollow English Garden

About 10,000 bird species – not sure if there is that one person in the world who was able to see them all. The last bird book I read the author had record of over 3,000 bird species. Now imagine insects, there are millions and millions of them and I am sure millions of them not identified yet.

Red Ant, Merlin's Hollow English Garden

So when I was shooting bug photo Mr. Tomlinson asked me what I was pointing at. So I showed him and he said he would love to identify all the insects in his garden. ‘But there are so many of them, just searching for name can be a full time job‘. Okay I should have known better. He pointed out that ‘if you are looking at the fly you would go to the fly section and so you are looking at the smaller population of insects‘.

Yes he is right, starting with the sub-categories will get you to ID the insect faster, but I will hold off on the identification idea of the bugs for now – just too many, too many to handle for now.

Another Fly, Merlin's Hollow English Garden

It was time to go. On my way out I was still taking last photos and at the same time I yelled to my husband – ‘this should be bug garden as well, there are so many of them here‘. A lady on the other side of the flower bed got excited and called back at me – ‘this is called a bug garden?‘. ‘No no this is English garden‘ – I replied. ‘Oh okay‘ – she replied bowing her head and I smiled back.

May be next time I will keep quite otherwise I will start a rumor that never existed.

Merlin’s Hollow Always Beautiful Garden With Gardens, June Flower Bloom

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 03:48:41 +0000

If I had all the time in the world I would spend many hours in the Merlin’s Hollow garden. This time I made sure I didn’t miss the June visit. The garden was ever beautiful, not that it wasn’t last time, but I am appreciating more and more every and each visit. I think my eyes are now trained to see more.

Merlin's Hollow, Aurora

I must say that the garden is becoming photographers gathering place.

Merlin's Hollow, Aurora

A year passed, and about a year ago I met here at the Merlin’s Hollow grounds another photographer from Aurora. I knew James from before by visiting his flickr james lj’s photostream. His photography includes photographs of nature and wildlife here in Aurora – absolutely must see his surreal photo gallery.

I know, I know – the grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence. But I cannot help whenever I look at James’ photos. I am always impressed with his photos no matter how hard I try to tap myself on my shoulder. They are always so crisp, artistic and in action.

Merlin's Hollow, Aurora

Let me tell you more what happened next.

Dierdre Tomlinson recognized me. Soon as I arrived and was taking photos she came up to us and told me – ‘I was just looking at your photos yesterday‘. Oh that was so nice of her. The power of thought worked too, since I showed up the next day. I think I will do the same and I will give her 2012 garden photos.

It was so nice of her to remember us. Dierdre seems as a lady who would remember all her visitors or at least to whom she talked to. Oh and if I will continue to get that kind of welcomes – I am never going to leave Aurora.

Merlin's Hollow, Aurora

This garden has over one thousand or more species. This is probably one of the reasons why we photographers love it because we can photograph and photograph and never leave the garden. It also helps to have flowers in small clusters because when photographing it is much easier to isolate single flower from the rest.

Merlin's Hollow, Aurora

As I mentioned before, the Merlin’s Hollow garden is definitely photographers gathering place. It is now very common to see people equipped with high end DSLRs, zoom lenses and carrying tripods. I don’t carry a tripod, but one lady did. I was just glad that there was no wind that day. However, it rained the night before and I was pleased.

Merlin's Hollow, Aurora

‘This is my favorite flower‘ – Matthew said for the flower below and I think I know why. The contrast of the yellow and purple does creates stunning effect. When I processed the photo I was able to see the purple beaded hair dancing around the filaments. Isn’t nature amazing to add such a beautiful decor to this flower?

Merlin's Hollow, Aurora

I am not posting all the photos here. I captured some nice photos of insects and snails which I will showcase next. There are probably the same number of different insects species as flowers in the Merlin’s Hollow.

They are small and can be as small as every period on this page. Many are hiding somewhere, but lot of them were enjoying the beautiful colors and of course the sweet sweet nectar.

Merlin's Hollow, Aurora

Just before leaving James briefly introduced me to Peter, another great photographer who has aurora_photog flickr blog. I must admit that Peter’s everyday photo publishing sometimes gives away clues and next day I am trailing the same path.

Merlin's Hollow, Aurora

And here is something to look forward – the next bloom in July.

Merlin's Hollow, Aurora

Merlin’s Hollow, Best Of The Last Visit

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 03:50:19 +0000

It was another great visit accompanied by great weather conditions, sadly it was last one for the season, to the Merlin’s Hollow, an English garden created by the Tomlinson’s here in Aurora.