Macro Monday
Columbus Botanical Garden

Saturday was the Daylily Festival at the botanical garden (I almost wrote “my botanical garden”). Last year I was in the beginning of decline with photography but not this year. I hadn’t fully decided if I would be going (you all know, me and crowds don’t always see eye-to-eye). Mother Nature hadn’t decided if she was going to cooperate either.

I attempted to visit the Market Days in Uptown but the rain definitely kept a lot of vendors, and people, at home. That didn’t stop me from a quick stop at Veri Best Donut Co., we’ll keep that between us, before finally calling it a morning and going to Sam’s Club for a few supplies. After returning home it looked like I might be get clearing skies, so I didn’t bring the camera into the apartment. I quickly put everything away and headed back out (the cats look at me like I’m crazy when I come and go so quickly).

As soon as I parked the car it started raining. Figures! I resisted the urge to return home and waited about ten minutes in the car. Only a few raindrops continued and I decided I definitely will not melt, so changed the lens to the 85mm macro lens and walked over to the entrance. Ten minutes after getting into the garden the sun was shining bright and I could feel the humidity start to bear down on me. No worries, plenty of trees to offer shade.

There were quite an assortment of vendors, organizations and displays. I’m glad I fought my natural urge to avoid crowds, and to be honest, there were not a lot of people (yet!). I spent some time exploring everything on display. I bought a honey lollipop from one local vendor, was in awe at the amount of plantings for sale and avoided buying the beautiful ceramic flower pot (Milo would try to eat any plants I bring home).

Eventually, I walked around looking for the daylilies. The lens I was using was the Lensbaby Velvet. It produces a dreamy vignette depending on the aperture. To say it challenges me is an understatement, but I wasn’t going to improve without practice.

Look closely at the daylily. I didn’t notice as I was capturing the image but there is a ladybug enjoying the shade…

Macro Monday
Columbus Botanical Garden