Dancing

Posted by Mike on May 30, 2026

Haiku
Columbus Botanical Garden

I’ve been all over the place with this one…

The original image is very vibrant, but I couldn’t see past the color. The ethereal tone was lost, at least to me, with the bold assault on my senses. So, I simplified it. And then the words started forming…

It has been some time since I wrote a haiku. Hopefully, I haven’t forgot how to do it…

Dancing To Be Me

Not floating, dancing
Not isolation, freedom
Learning to be me

Dancing
Nikon Z6 III, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/1000s, f/4, ISO 100

As part of that learning, I’m over at the cafe again this morning. I decided to be part of the community as I write this post. Still on shaky ground, as it is so far out of my wheelhouse, but, I’m learning. Maybe learning isn’t exactly the right word. How about embracing this experience? Still probably learning… 🙂

Lily, Entrance Me

Posted by Mike on May 29, 2026

Columbus Botanical Garden

You can’t walk past a reflection can you?

Me? No! Why Should I?

It’s a mirror, nothing special.

Are you sure? Each one holds something different.

What?

A reflection can be the mirror image of what you are looking at, but it can also show you a different side.

Stop playing with me!

I’m not. Take this lily, the image in the water is not a mirror image but a highlight of the unseen parts. It’s showing the hidden.

Uh huh. So? What are you hiding?

Nice try…

It is probably good that only one lily at a time is making an appearance at the botanical garden. An observer can immediately tell when I spot one. My whole focus changes. I’m not seeing anything else until I have grabbed a few views of the floating princess. Tuesday was no different.

Well, maybe a little different. Although it was early in the afternoon, I was at the garden between the raindrops. The light was filtered through the clouds and I didn’t have to fight the bright white. Made it a lot easier to show the detail in the flower.

Lily Reflecting
Nikon Z6 III, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/500s, f/5.6, ISO 100

Of course, I couldn’t leave it alone. Lily was calling to me to ‘electrify’ her. I didn’t want to disappoint her.

Electric Reflection
Nikon Z6 III, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/500s, f/5.6, ISO 100

Working It

Posted by Mike on May 28, 2026

Columbus Botanical Garden

I think it is fascinating how this photography thing works for me. I know I have made this comment in the past (of course, I couldn’t find the post), but deciding to learn photography changed how I travel through my day. I was almost oblivious to my surroundings. Now, “I see”… the pattern of light, the shapes, the little details, the incongruities, the shadows, etc. At times, I’m amazed I’m able to get where I’m going.

It generally isn’t what I am looking at that captures my eye, it is the light or shadow, the brief movement of a critter or the splash of color on the periphery that draws my attention. After finding the little frog in yesterday’s post (Shelter Me Susan), I was wandering the garden walkways waiting for that unexpected “thing” to stop me in my tracks (hey, it happens, sometimes). Lately, it has been the bees.

This one was focused on the pollen to even notice me…