Summer Snowflakes
Callaway Resort & Gardens
Nikon Z f, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/1250s, f/4, ISO 100
Little Lamps
Columbus Botanical Gardens
Nikon Z f, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/160s, f/8, ISO 100
When I was exploring Bok Tower Gardens and found the azaleas were in bloom, I got excited for the azalea gardens back home. The weekend weather was forecasting rain on Sunday but Saturday was looking like a day for an adventure. I was not going to let a good day go to waste. I packed up the camera equipment and headed up to Callaway Resort & Gardens.
Driving from the gate I spotted color in Overlook Azalea Garden. If someone was watching me they would have seen a giant smile cross my face. It was going to be a good day. I hate to admit this but I have not explored this area of the resort as much as I should have. I easily spent a third of my visit crawling over the trails through the azaleas.
Azalea Blooms
Nikon Z f, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/200s, f/5.6, ISO 100
The Spring event at Callaway doesn’t official start until March 13th so I know the next six weeks will be filled with many visits to photograph the changing scenery. I can’t wait!
Show Me You
Nikon Z f, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/60s, f/3.3, ISO 100
My next stop was Callaway Brothers Azalea Bowl. Not as many blossoms as the garden near the entrance but that sets me up for more visits. I definitely have a fascination with the walkway bridge leading into the bowl. The azaleas are staring fill out, maybe next weekend I will find more color.
Crossing
Nikon Z f, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/60s, f/8, ISO 100
Red Abounds
Nikon Z f, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/1000s, f/4, ISO 100
I spent three hours exploring the gardens. I walked quite a few of the trails. It was good feeling the sun on my face and stretching my legs. I didn’t visit every area of the resort, I need to leave a little for next visit.
I got home around noon, uploaded the images to my computer and enjoyed a quick lunch. The weather wasn’t supposed to turn until late in the evening so that left plenty of time to see what new blossoms I could find at the botanical garden. Damn, I love being a member…
Sea of Pink
Nikon Z f, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/60s, f/5.6, ISO 100
Yes! The azaleas are starting to appear here too. I captured plenty of new images but I think I’ll stick with azaleas for now. Consider that a warning to expect more floral macros to be posted. There was a little more wind that I would have liked and I struggled with focus. The next azalea isn’t in focus as much as I would like but the colors are great. I’ll nail the focus on the next visit…
Dream
Nikon Z f, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/60s, f/8, ISO 100
On my third day in Florida I went to Bok Tower Gardens which is about an hour South of Orlando. borrowing from Wikipedia…
Bok Tower Gardens is a 250-acre (100 ha) contemplative garden and bird sanctuary located atop Iron Mountain, north of Lake Wales, Florida, United States, created by Edward Bok in the 1920s. Formerly known as the Bok Mountain Lake Sanctuary and Singing Tower, the gardens’ attractions include the Singing Tower and its 60-bell carillon, the Bok Exedra, the Pinewood Estate now known as El Retiro, the Pine Ridge Trail, and the Visitor Center.
Bok Tower Gardens is a National Historic Landmark. The 205-foot (62 m) Singing Tower was built upon one of the highest points of peninsular Florida, estimated to be 295 feet (90 m) above sea level,[4] and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[3] The national significance of the gardens and its tower come from their associations with Edward W. Bok and his team of designers.[3] The adjacent Pinewood Estate is separately listed on the National Register as El Retiro.
The Singing Tower
Nikon Z f, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/100s, 35mm, f/11, ISO 100
It is more impressive in-person. If you find yourself in central Florida with a day to spare, I highly recommend visiting these gardens. There are a lot of trails to explore and I passed quite a few fellow photographers. Based on the lenses attached to their cameras, most were at the gardens for birds and/or butterflies. I did meet an unexpected resident…
Unexpected
Nikon Z f, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/200s, f/2.8, ISO 100
I was also very happy to find the azaleas were in bloom. I’m now very excited for these to bloom around Columbus.
Aza
Nikon Z f, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/500s, f/3.2, ISO 100
Lea
Nikon Z f, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/100s, f/5.6, ISO 100
My Backside
Nikon Z f, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/800s, f/3, ISO 100
As I was exploring around the tower at the heart of these gardens I met another group of visitors. I had my zoom lens with me and quietly changed to it. The group was foraging through the grass but were on the move. I was able to get around and in front of their path. I’ll admit I got a little lucky…
What in the Sandhill…
Nikon Z f, Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD, 1/250s, 300mm, f/6.3, ISO 100
Of course, I can’t pass up a good reflection…
Florida Upside Down
Nikon Z f, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/500s, f/2.8, ISO 100
I was a good day. I will be going back to Bok Tower on a future visit to Florida.
Going to Battle
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/3s, 36mm, f/8, ISO 100
The title of yesterday’s post was both appropriate for the scene and my attitude. I didn’t feel like writing much and was looking to get the image posted before I headed out on an adventure. If you haven’t guessed yet, I’m on vacation in Florida. I drove down Monday morning and will be returning home on Thursday.
I had points that were going to expire in my Disney vacation club and decided to use one of the resorts as a home base for a little adventure. I’m at a room at the Saratoga Springs resort which is next to Disney Springs. My plan was to visit Cocoa Beach and Kennedy Space Center on Tuesday, the Bok Tower Gardens on Wednesday before returning home. Day one is complete and I’m getting ready for day two now.
Monday after I arrived in the Orlando area I did a little hunting for retro video game stores. I didn’t have a lot of success, well, I found some store but didn’t find any thing I was willing to purchase. The hunt was interesting but the traffic was starting to wear on me so I worked my way to the resort. I planned on walking around Disney Springs while I waited for my room to be ready.
I only walked about a third of the way when my phone dinged from the notification my room was ready. I backed tracked, unloaded the car and decided to relax for a couple of hours around the resort before heading over for dinner. Yep, remembering why I’m souring on Disney, expensive and crowded. At least on the walk back to my room I was able to catch some good light.
Lights
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/15s, 32mm, f/8, ISO 800
The weather on Tuesday was going to be a challenge but I didn’t let it change my plans. I was going to roll with it no matter what. The sunrise at Cocoa Beach was less than ideal. The waves on the other hand were nice, probably due to the rip currents warning I received on my weather app. You can see the clouds moving up from the south and eventually it did rain.
Crashing the Morning
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 0.6s, 41mm, f/8, ISO 100
I grabbed some breakfast at a beach side diner on my way to the space center. When I planned this trip the Artemis II mission to orbit the moon was scheduled for March 6. I was looking forward to getting some images on the rocket/capsule on the launch pad. During the last test an issue was discovered that required the return to the vehicle assembly building. To say I was disappointed would be a little understated. The rescheduled launch is now for April 1st.
Rocket Garden
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/1250s, 24mm, f/8, ISO 100
Today I am driving an hour south of Orlando to visit Bok Tower Gardens. This is a fifty acre botanical garden with plenty of walking trails. Looking forward to what I’ll find…
In A Hurry
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/4s, 58mm, f/8, ISO 400
Glow
Nikon Z f, Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8, 1/8000s, f/2, ISO 100
Hope
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.8 S, 1/500s, f/2.8, ISO 100
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