Pumpkins at Callaway
Callaway Resort & Gardens
Walktober II
I did it! I made it to the Pumpkins at Callaway event at Callaway Resort & Gardens. Time was running out and work was taking up a lot of my time but I got my ticket to attend. And, I didn’t get lazy or conjure up some silly excuse. I went to the place with the crowds… LOL. I’m thinking I will add this to Dawn’s Walktober post as another opportunity for people to see that I haven’t forgotten how to get outside and explore with the camera… 🙂
The area around Robin Lake beach is the center of the event. Plenty to do, plenty to eat and plenty of people. Still, the tower of pumpkins was calling me like a moth to a flame.

Pumpkins at Callaway
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/125s, 70mm, f/11, ISO 100

Pumpkins Standing Tall
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/60s, 35mm, f/11, ISO 100
I also couldn’t resist the giant, inflatable pumpkins… yeah, I’m easy…

Smile
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/50s, 24mm, f/11, ISO 100
I explored a little, checked out the concessions and the merchandise but was really looking forward to see how Cason’s Garden was setup. This garden is where I photographed the tulips this past Spring. I knew about the corn maze but was very curious what else I would find.
I could have followed the crowds and stood in line to get a ride over to the garden but it is a short walk around the lake, so I walked. There is a small “lake”, Chickadee Lake, along the trail that appears to have paddle boats. The area is closed but the scene was very cool. I loved the mist (probably from the spooky trail fog machines) hanging over the water. I also thought the lone swan paddle boat was perfect for the scene.

Eerie Beginnings
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/50s, 49mm, f/11, ISO 200
Cason’s Garden was nice. Two big corn mazes to explore (I didn’t partake) but the sunflower garden would have been amazing. I wish I had explored the event earlier in the season because by this time of the year there were very few sunflowers still blooming. I did manage to find this one willing to pose for me…

The Last of the Sun
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.8 S, 1/320s, f/2, ISO 100
The remainder of the garden was starting to fill up with people and I took that as my cue to go back to the main event. It was beginning to get a little darker and maybe it was a good time to explore the Enchanted Pumpkin Forest. So, come walk among the spookiness with me.

Enter at Your Own Risk
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8, 1/30s, f/8, ISO 1250

Spooky?
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8, 1/30s, f/5.6, ISO 450

Ribbit!
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8, 1/30s, f/5.6, ISO 2800

Whoooo!
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8, 1/30s, f/2.8, ISO 900

Pumpkin Glow
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8, 1/30s, f/2.8, ISO 1250

Arachnid-a-Glow
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8, 1/30s, f/8, ISO 220
I decided not to stay until the end as I did not want to fight the crowds getting back out of the resort. I do know I will be going back next year, probably a little earlier so I can see more of the sunflowers. Let me know if you enjoyed the Pumpkins at Callaway.