I gave myself permission to play today

My brief lunchtime break only allowed for trial and error. Snap, snap , snap.

I was trying out this new 50mm lens and my way is to try whatever comes in front of me, without much planning, as quickly as possible. Then reviewing the results, I can go back to revisit any subjects and techniques that might bear further endeavour. Objectively, I would classify at least five shots today as good runners-up and a few more as also-rans.

But Blip demands a winner ... which today must be a subjective decision ... and so it is the Bristol Whitebeam's berries, making a return appearance. They won't stay in this form for much longer, with its own leaves still attached, one of which is still nearly in focus. I like the three main colours, the clarity of the berries and the diffuse background spaces.

But when I looked closely at this branch with my eye, and held this stem, which is the top of the tree, I noticed that there are buds already waiting for next year. I hope it isn't going to go mad and start growing again this autumn, like so many other confused plants now seem to do in these odd times, climatically speaking.

I've just looked out of the window to watch a buzzard ascending in circles out of the valley. The light is better, the sun shining and cows grazing amongst the hedge's long shadows on the far side of Oakey Grove. But it is too late to start again. The Whitebeam wins.