Category Archives: floral

Mellow Yellow

Posted by Mike on

Silent Sunday
Columbus Botanical Garden

Starting Out
Nikon Z f, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/160s, f/8, ISO 100

Standouts
Nikon Z f, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/320s, f/8, ISO 100

and then the sun exploded…

Posted by Mike on

Squared – SQ209
The Little Things – TLT015
Columbus Botanical Garden

and then the sun exploded…
Nikon Z f, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/1600s, f/5.6, ISO 100

Missing the Small Stuff

Posted by Mike on

In The Yard – ITY77
The Little Things – TLT014
Floral Friday

Normally you hear the saying ‘can’t see the forest for the trees’ when you’re keeping your head down focused on the immediate stuff in front of you. I’ve been so focused on the big stuff lately I’m experiencing the opposite. I’ve been working with a financial planner to ensure I’m setup for retirement. I was planning my trip to Florida and I’ve been working on how to explore all my new home state has to offer.

I neglected to look out the window…

The small azaleas next to my window are blooming. The spiraea shrubs along the split rail fence around the apartment complex have also blossomed. The little things need attention too…

Kissing Cousins
Nikon Z f, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/50s, f/5, ISO 200

Three Amigos
Nikon Z f, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/50s, f/5, ISO 200

Togetherness
Nikon Z f, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/125s, f/5, ISO 200

Solo
Nikon Z f, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/125s, f/5, ISO 200

Party Hard

Posted by Mike on

Wordless Wednesday
Columbus Botanical Garden

Ready for the Party
Nikon Z f, Lensbaby Velvet 85mm f/1.8, 1/2000s, f/2, ISO 100

The Next Morning
Nikon Z f, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/400s, f/3.3, ISO 100

Two Gardens, Same Flower

Posted by Mike on

Monochrome Monday

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

Garden Day

Posted by Mike on

Callaway Resort & Gardens
Columbus Botanical Garden

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

Bok Tower Gardens

Posted by Mike on

Lake Wales, Florida

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.