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.

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!

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.

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…

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…

Columbus Botanical Garden

Columbus Botanical Garden

Columbus Botanical Garden

Columbus Botanical Garden

I have it good. Or is it, I’m lucky? Or fortunate?

How about D, all of the above.

Anyway…

Yesterday turned out to be a really good day (weather-wise that is, I guess in general too). The possibility was high when I left for work so I brought my camera bag on the off chance I would leave early. Maybe, the chance was closer to definite, but the point is I went to the botanical garden for a mid-afternoon exploration.

Thursday evening was Camellia & Cocktails, which I had planned to attend but wasn’t feeling it after I got home from work. Today is the Camellia Fest and so Friday would allow me to explore without too many people around. I still plan on stopping in today for the festival, but exploring on Friday was a good decision. Plus, I got out of work a little early… 🙂

I generally explore the gardens in the same pattern. I hate to admit it but I am a creature of habit. I didn’t think there would be many new blooms in the area around the farmhouse but I couldn’t bring myself to not look. I was happy when I found a few crocus poking up through the ground cover. They were one of the early finds when I looked for Spring in NY and this one brought back some good memories.

Time to work my way to the Camellia Garden. I was hoping I could find a few more daffodils along the path to the garden. Looks like the cold did a number on the few blossoms I saw last time. I managed to capture a few interesting views but you will have to wait for another post to view my finds.

The camellias took a hit from the weather this week. Below freezing temps were not floral friendly. Is it wrong to admit I was looking forward to finding some blossoms past their prime. I have been enjoying what I can create with these views.

With all that being said, the camellias are not giving up. As I walked through the garden I could see the coming attractions. I will have many more opportunities to explore this area…

The hands of the clock kept marching toward 5pm and closing time for the garden. It was time to work my way back to the car. When I returned to the entrance of the Camellia Garden I was distracted by the lights from the previous night’s event. And then I spotted the little vines hanging from the trellis which supports the bell (can be seen in this post: Shine Event).

It isn’t supposed to be as warm as it was yesterday but I will be going back to the garden for the festival. I signed up for Camellia Sip and Learn at 11am (“Join us for an immersive tasting journey celebrating Camellia sinensis, the remarkable plant behind all true tea: white, green, oolong, and black.”). Probably should warn everyone there will be more botanical garden images incoming… 🙂