Author: amis12de34oi56ron

This photo (80 x 120 cm) is located on Place des Gouffier, opposite the collegiate church.

Gouttes de résine

Madeleine Liaras, février 2023

In the past, cedar was a symbol of strength, dignity and courage. Incense, made from its resin, is said to promote concentration and stimulate intellectual activity. But resin leaks are often a reaction to external aggressions. They are used to expel the attacker and can signal necrosis of the trunk.

100 mm macro – f/2,8 – 1/640 s – 100 ISO

On the cartel

The cedar is weeping drops of amber. A mysterious treasure hidden in the depths of Nature, the sap overflows, it is life that is springing forth. The richness of materials and the association of flexibility and hardness, are complementary rather than in opposition.

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This photo (80 x 120 cm) is located rue Sainte Anne.

Sophora du Japon pleureur

Jean-Jacques Fouquet, avril 2023

The presence of a weeping Japanese pagoda tree at the entrance to the park, near the chateau’s reception pavilion, is not unrelated to the planting of Atlas cedars. In the 19th century, the fashion was for exoticism. Botanists recommended planting pagoda trees, which went well with the majestic conifers. Over time, this old tree has taken on shapes that can be freely interpreted. You just have to look at it to see areptile devouring its prey.

105 mm macro – f/5 – 1/500 s – 100 ISO

On the cartel

The tortuous branches of the weeping Japanese pagoda tree, weathered by time, continue to reveal their mysterious shapes. Nature sometimes imitates humans by sculpting monstrous heads as our ancestors did on the beams of houses in the Middle Ages.

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This photo (80 x 120 cm) is located rue Sainte Anne.

Reste de cône de cèdre de l’Atlas

Madeleine Liaras, février 2023

At first glance, the ovoid fruits of the Atlas cedar look like, pine cones. It takes no less than three years for the cones to mature. After a few weeks on the ground, the scales of the female cones part and fall off to release the seeds. And all that remains of the cone is this rose shape.

100 mm macro – f/3,2 – 1/60s – 125 ISO

On the cartel

The fragile rose asked the cedar for the secret of its eternity. Obediently, the cedar promised to help it resist time. It has remained since then, turned to wood but always fresh despite the rigour of winter.

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This photo (80 x 120 cm) is located rue Sainte Anne.

Force de la nature

Michel Boudreault, avril 2023

Each of the Atlas cedars in the chateau park, planted at the end of the 19th century, covers approximately 500 m2 and measures 30 metres high. Some branches, like this one, start horizontally very close to the trunk, extending over a dozen metres. Despite its imposing size, the Atlas cedar is on the list of endangered species of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

HDR assembly of 3 photos. 17 mm – f/11 – 1/50 s, 1/100 s, 1/200 s – 200 ISO

On the cartel

The Atlas cedars in the chateau park were planted at the end of the 19th century. This branch that successive gardeners have allowed to grow almost at ground level releases a power that defies the laws of gravity.

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This photo (80 x 120 cm) is located rue Sainte Anne.

De bas en haut

Éric Chabot, novembre 2023

Enough to make your head spin. Lying on my back, my eye glued to the camera's viewfinder, I let myself be carried away by the dizziness of the treetops. The trees of the park converge in the middle, as if they had an arranged meeting.

The natural spaces of the park, which are a great place for walking, lend themselves to contemplation. If you don't want to lie down on the grass, deckchairs are available to visitors in summer.

16 mm – f/6,3 – 1/250 s – 125 ISO

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This photo (80 x 120 cm) is located rue Sainte Anne, opposite rue des Quénards.

Couleurs de printemps

Michel Boudreault, avril 2023

This is a symbolic boundary between the meadowland behind the chateau and the large cultivated plains. The blue of the sky dotted with clouds, the yellow of a field of rapeseed in flower, the green of the natural meadowland behind the chateau, everything invites you to immerse yourself in this landscape and enjoy the tranquility of the grounds as far as the collegiate.

Assemblage HDR de 3 photos. Focale 17 mm – f/11 – 1/250 s, 1/500 s, 1/1000 s – 200 ISO

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This photo (115 x 172 cm) is located at the corner of rue du château and rue Sainte Anne.

Festival de cyclamens

Éric Chabot, septembre 2023

Come September, the natural lawns are covered with a pink carpet. Cyclamen are part of the autumn decor of the chateau park. They are most often combined with crocuses which add a touch of yellow. The variety present at the chateau until the first winter frosts is the Naples cyclamen or ivy leaf cyclamen (Cyclamen hederifolium). It appreciates shaded areas, particularly the space between rows of chestnut trees. The leaves only appear at the end of flowering. Be careful though, the bulb of this pretty little flower is particularly toxic.

90 mm – f/4,5 – 1/30 s – 100 ISO

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Located on rue du château, this panel shows four photos (60 x 60 cm).

Chevreuil dans la plaine

Éric Chabot, mars 2024

Formerly, the park of the Château d’Oiron was an immense forest estate. Deer are part of the site’s history. In the 1830s, stags and roe deer were even introduced into the dry moats for the sole pleasure of the owners. It still happens that deer pass the fence to cross the park. This deer was photographed on March 4, 2024 in the plain, very close to the chateau.

600mm – f/6,3 – 1/2000 s – 10000 ISO

Poivre des murailles

Mathieu Boullant, novembre 2023

Stonecrop (Sedum acre) grows even in the hollows of the walls and in the joints of the stones of the moat of the Château d'Oiron. Up close, you can see its small yellow starry flowers with their five-petaled corolla. A drop of water on a delicate flower of Stonecrop is poetic.

A drop placed on a petal,
Like a floral tear,
A summer regret in short,
Offered in view of the autumn…

100 mm macro – f 2,8 – 1/250 s – 800 ISO

Élanion blanc

Éric Chabot, mars 2024

This small raptor, originally from Africa, gradually returned after colonizing the Iberian Peninsula. Attracted by the increase in cereal land, the Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus) arrived in Deux-Sèvres in 2012 where a first nesting was observed. Since then, observations have multiplied. At the time of this photo taken on March 4 2024 near the Château d'Oiron, two couples were present on the plain.

600 mm – f/6,3 – 1/1250 s – 1000 ISO

Lézard des murailles

Maryvonne Boudreault, avril 2023

The common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis) is a protected species in France. It favors dry environments, and its favourite habitiats are old walls, rocky scree or even parapets. It loves spiders, flying insects, beetles and gastropods. This one found its home in the stone walls of the Oiron chateau. There, it can feed on insects and benefit from exposure to the sun to increase its body temperature. But it is shy and evasive. You have to be discreet to capture its portrait.

105 mm macro – f/5 – 1/800 s – 125 ISO

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Located on rue du château, this panel shows four photos (60 x 60 cm).

Champignon solitaire

Susan Burgess, novembre 2023

The upkeep of the Château d’Oiron’s park without resorting to chemical methods, and respecting the environment, helps to maintain a rich biodiversity. This particularly favours the appearance of different species of mushrooms, such as this small specimen which could be a Parasola galericuliformis.

105mm – f/4,5 – 1/125 s – 200 ISO

Abeille charpentière

Michèle Lepeintre, juillet 2023

The carpenter bee or black bumblebee is observed in sunny places rich in flowers. Solitary or living in a small colony, it found, in the dead wood of the chateauchateau’s park, the substrate necessary for its eggs. It digs long galleries and generally remains faithful to its place of birth. It fulfills its role of pollinator wonderfully.

100 mm – f/5 – 1/2000 s – 500 ISO

Trichie du rosier sur une scabieuse

Gaëtan Alexandre, mai 2023

This Bee Beetle (Trichius rosaceus) is far too busy gathering nectar on this field scabious flower, preserved thanks to the unmown areas of the chateau lawns, to notice the presence of intruders. From the Cetoniinae family, this very hairy beetle loves flower petals.

100mm macro – f/11 – 1/80 s – 100 ISO

Fleur d’églantier

Marie Whitead, mai 2023

This dog Rose looks delicate and fragile. The Dog Rose (Rosa canina) nevertheless has astonishing virtues. The flowers have a slightly laxative effect and preparations based on rosehip, the false fruit of the Dog Rose, are used in particular to prevent flu and colds. Which is enough to hold out when the cold season arrives, and even beyond.

164 mm – f/5.6 – 1/1100 s – 200 ISO

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Located on rue du château, this panel shows four photos (60 x 60 cm).

Abeille charpentière

Michèle Lepeintre, juillet 2023

I am considered the largest species of wild bee: they call me the carpenter bee (Xylocopa violacea). My colors catch the eye. Depending on the light, my wings can turn a deep blue. My size and my buzz are impressive, yet I am not aggressive. Leave some dead wood in your gardens and parks to encourage me to nest.

100 mm – f/3.5 – 1/2000 s – 800 ISO

Piéride du navet

Michel Boudreault, juillet 2023

Among the many species of butterflies that inhabit the chateau grounds is the Green-veined White (Pieris napi). Away from the large cultivated plains, it has found a favourable biotope within the walls of the park. It appears all year round in three generations, but the most numerous flights are seen in spring and early September. The specimen photographed on a thistle flower is a female.

400 mm – f/9 – 1/640 s – 400 ISO

Tircis

Gaëtan Alexandre, juillet 2023

In this month of July, this Speckled Wood, also called wood argus or even muse (Pararge aegeria) seems to appreciate the fragrant flowers of lavender present in abundance around the chateau. Very widespread in Deux-Sèvres, this butterfly can be confused with the Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera) which has, among other differences, orange bands on the top of the wings instead of orange spots on a brown background .

100 mm macro – f/20 – 1/80 s – 640 ISO

Érigeron

Maryvonne Boudreault, novembre 2023

Originally from North America, this erigeron which grows between the stones of the moat walls is not like any other daisy. It is distinguished by its large yellow heart surrounded by pinkish stripes. Charming and easy to grow, it is nonetheless considered invasive.

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105 mm macro – f/4 – 1/250 s – 160 ISO