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Levens Hall Gardens

Levens Hall in Cumbria is a privately owned country mansion located around four miles from Kendal and would make for a really interesting photographic subject in its’ own right; however, what we are going to look at here are the quite magnificent gardens, dating back to the 17th century. They are, in fact, the oldest topiary gardens in the world, with some of the shrubs and trees being over 300 years old.

The photographs on this page were all taken on the same day, 9th June 2024.

1. Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/100sec @ f/4, ISO 100.

The sculptured greenery in the gardens is quite something to see.

2. Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/125sec @ f/14, ISO 100.

The gardens with the hall in the background.

3. Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/60sec @ f/5.6, ISO 100.

4. Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/125sec @ f/4.8, ISO 100.

5. Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/125sec @ f/11, ISO 100.

This reminds me of those slapstick comedy scenes where two men are carrying something across a road, usually a plane of glass or priceless artwork - and, without exception, will be met by someone who ploughs into it.

6. Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/60sec @ f/6.8, ISO 100.

One of the lawn areas with the hall behind.

7. Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/100sec @ f/4, ISO 100.

I love the symmetry of this.

8. Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/60sec @ f/9.5, ISO 100.

9. Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/100sec @ f/3.4, ISO 100.

10. Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/100sec @ f/4, ISO 100.

A rich hare!

11. Leica SL(601), Summicron-R 50mm f/2, 1/100sec @ f/4, ISO 100.

12. Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/200sec @ f/22, ISO 5000.

Moving in closer now. Considering my visit was in June 2024, any of the flowerbeds was going to guarantee a hive of activity with bees.

13. Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/200sec @ f/19, ISO 1600.

14. Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/200sec @ f/22, ISO 4000.

15. Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/80sec @ f/2.8, ISO 100.

16. Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/250sec @ f/22, ISO 1600.

Spot the two insects in this water lilly; they can’t be much longer than a couple of millimetres!

17. Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/200sec @ f/22, ISO 5000.

Another insect in a flower; to be honest, there was so much activity going on, getting a photograph of a flower without any insects in or around them would be quite a challenge!

18. Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/320sec @ f/22, ISO 2500.

19. Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/200sec @ f/22, ISO 2500.

20. Leica SL(601), Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8, 1/50sec @ f/11, ISO 100.

21. Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/200sec @ f/22, ISO 1000.

22. Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/320sec @ f/22, ISO 2500.

23. Leica SL(601), Apo-Macro-Elmarit-R 100mm f/2.8, 1/320sec @ f/19, ISO 1600.

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