Chrysanthemum Festival At Longwood Gardens

I recently had a chance to check out the Chrysanthemum Festival at Longwood Gardens. The show was up for just over a month in October and November. In addition to all sorts of wonderful varieties of chrysanthemum plants in around the Conservatory, there were some absolutely spectacular chrysanthemum displays.

First was the 1000 Bloom Chrysanthemum. With over 700 blossoms growing on one stem, this year’s 1000 bloom chrystanthemum is the largest ever grown at Longwood Gardens and is the largest in the United States.

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

There were also two smaller 1000 Bloom Chrysantemums on display this year – each with over 500 blossoms growing on one stem.

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

There was also a Chrysanthemum Shield with 172 blossoms growing from one stalk. Longwood’s garden staff learned the technique for growing the shield chrysanthemum a Japanese chrysanthemum grower – Mr. Tadashi Imafuku.

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

And then there were the Chrysanthemum Trees in front of the Music Room. Longwood’s Garden staff designed this display using Cherry Trees that were scheduled to be composted and chrysanthemums grown in a curtain style.

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

The final set of decorations that I just had to photograph were the giant bees suspended around the main part of the Conservatory. Throughout 2009, Longwood Gardens has been running an educational program on The Buds and the Bees, Pollination and Secret Lives of Plants. The giant bees in the Conservatory were a great reminder of how important bees and pollination are in nature.

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

Bird of Paradise – Strelitzia Reginae

One flower that I have been hoping to take some great photographs of is the Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia Reginae). I’ve taken many photos of Bird of Paradise at various botanical gardens, but until recently, hadn’t managed any photos that I was really happy with.

While visiting Longwood Gardens in October, I photographed the Bird of Paradise flowers in the Conservatory. I was surprised to see what looked like two flowers growing from one stalk since I’d never seen them growing like that before.

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

About a month later, I returned to Longwood Gardens – and finally took some pretty spectacular photos of the Bird of Paradise flowers. There were several plants that had multiple flowers on a one stem. I spoke with one of the gardening staff and at Longwood – and she showed me several of the twin flowering plants. The staff at Longwood Gardens is wonderful – they’re always happy to answer questions about what they’re growing.

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

I then took several photographs of individual Bird of Paradise flowers. I don’t ever recall seeing so many of these flowers in such great condition.

Bird of Paradise I (c) 2009 Patty Hankins

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

Having finally gotten the type of photograph I’ve been wanting to create – I tried photographing the flowers from different angles. Here’s one close in photo showing the intricate details of the petals.

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

And finally – my favorite photograph of the Bird of Paradise flower. This blossom was growing quite low to the ground compared to most of the other ones. So I tried photographing it from above. I love the way the petals resemble the flames on a torch – or the feathers of a bird.

Bird of Paradise II (c) 2009 Patty Hankins

I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing the photographs of the Birds of Paradise flowers as much as I enjoyed photographing them. While I’m sure I”ll take more photographs of this flower in the future, I’m not sure I’ll take photos that I like more than the ones I’ve taken recently.

Photography Links – November 27, 2009

Bird of Paradise II (c) 2009 Patty Hankins

Just a few links this week

Photo Business News & Forum has Microstock Creates New Markets? No it Devastates Existing Ones

Digital Photography School has Stop Taking Pictures, Start Creating Images

Black Star Rising has Nine Inconvenient Business Facts for Aspiring Photographers

Time has a photo essay Norman Rockwell: The Photographs Behind the Art

Pearly Everlasting – Anaphalis margaritacea

This past summer while Bill and I were exploring Acadia National Park in Maine, I spotted a wildflower I’d never seen before. It had clusters of tightly packed white and yellow flowers. I had no idea what it was. I eventually discovered that it was Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea), a native plant and member of the aster family. Later in the week, I was able to photograph a lovely group of Pearly Everlasting ath the Wild Gardens of Acadia - a great location for learning about the plants and ecosystems at Acadia National Park.

Here are some of my photos of Pearly Everlasting from Acadia National Park.

A view of the entire group of flowers

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

A little closer in view that gives a great sense of the texture of the unopened flowers.

(c)2009 Patty Hankins

And finally two side views of the flowers with different depths of field. I’m still trying to decide which of these two photos I like better.

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

I really enjoyed photographing the Pearly Everlasting at the Wild Gardens of Acadia. Next summer, I’ll definitely look for more Pearly Everlasting, I’d like to photograph some with the flowers fully open.

Fall Color at Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge

One of the great things about Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge is the variety of trees located in the refuge. In the fall, their leaves all change color at different rates, and to different colors. So wehn Ivisited there in late October, I saw everything from green leaves that hadn’t started changing color yet – to lots of trees that had already dropped their leaves. I also found lots of wonderful combinations of leaves to photograph. Here are some of my favorite photos of fall color at Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge.

There were many trees with leaves that were a wonderful combination of yellow and red. The top leaves in a group were red – and then the lower leaves were yellow – where the top leaves had partially covered them. I saw some wonderful patterns created by the combination of colors on the same leaves.

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

There were some trees where all the leaves were yellow – with created wonderful bright spots in the refuge

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

And finally a grouping of three different colored leaves against a tree trunk

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

Monkshood – Aconitum carmichaelii

One of my favorite places to photograph at Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge is the Bayscape Garden behind the old visitor center, near the Bayview Butterfly Trail. A Bayscape Garden is designed to benefit people, wildlife and the Chesapeake Bay.

On my most recent visit to the Bayscape Garden, I photographed some beautiful monkshood (aconitum carmichaelii) flowers. I loved the deep purple flowers that I photographed. And all you have to do is take one look at the shape of the flowers to know why it is names monkshood. Here are some of my photos of the monkshood at Eastern Neck NWR.

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

I only made it to Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge a couple of times this year. Each time, I found wonderful things to photograph. I think I’m going to try to get there more often next year.

Photography Links – November 20, 2009

Bird of Paradise I (c) 2009 Patty Hankins

A few links that I found interesting this week – hope you enjoy them

Art Law Blog has Photography, Copyright and Derivitive Works

Gary Crabbe had a post one I Need More Space Please

Photo Business News and Forum has Newsweek, Sarah Palin and Photographer’s Rights and  US Copyright Office – 23 Month Wait on Registration

Black Star Rising has NGOs Do Good – But Make Sure They Do Right By You Too

Digital Photography School has Where to Photograph in the Everglades

Google Blogoscoped has Explore Similar Images with Google Image Swirl

Scott Wyden has Photographer Twitter Tips

Light Stalking has How Plain Pictures Can Have Big Messages

DC Holiday Photowalk – December 19 – Save the Date

 

Bill and I have had so much fun on all the photowalks we’ve attended that we decided it was time that we organized a photowalk. Since I love seeing all the holiday decorations in DC, I decided that they would make a great subject for a photowalk. The DC Holiday Photowalk will be on December 19 – the holiday decorations should be up all around the city by then. It will be a daytime photowalk. That way – Bill can use one of his Graflex SLRs on the photowalk – and we won’t have to worry about dealing with tripods and DC secuirty.

We’ll meet at Lafayette Park near the White House. Spend some time photographing the holiday decorations at the White House. Then head towards Union Station – ending up at the Union Station Food Court for lunch. I”ll post the exact route for the photowalk when the date gets closer – and I get a chance to see where the great decorations are in the city this year.

 

The date – Saturday December 19

Starting time – 9:30 AM at Lafayette Park

Ending time – around noon at Union Station.

Lafayette Park is not far from the Red, Orange and Blue Metro Lines, and Union Station is on the Red Line – so you can take Metro rather than driving into the city.

 

Just so I have an idea of how many people to expect – I’d appreciate it if you’d let me know if you’re thinking of attending. If you’re on Facebook – I’ve created a Facebook Event for the DC Holiday Photowalk. Please RSVP there if you’re thinking of attending.If you’re not on Facebook – just leave a note in the comments below.

Please share info about the photowalk with others who you think might like to attend.

Hope to see everyone on December 19

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jimson Weed – Datura Stramonium

A few weeks ago, I spent a morning at Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. I really like visiting Eastern Neck – there’s always something interesting to photograph – and rarely are there very many other people there. On this trip,  I was a little surprised to see as many wildflowers as I did. I didn’t expect to find many at the end of October. One of the wildflowers I photographed was Jimson Weed (Datura Stramonium).

Jimson Weed is a member of the Solonaceae family. It is related to the Devil’s Trumpet that I photographed last year at Green Spring Gardens and to the Nightshade that I photographed in Acadia National Park earlier this year. Like some other members of the Solonaceae family – jimson weed is poisonous. All parts of the plant contain alkaloids that can kill humans and animals.

Here are some of the photos I took of Jimson weed at Eastern Neck NWR.

The very distinctive looking Jimson weed blossom.

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

And a pair of photos of the fruit of the Jimson Weed plant.

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

Fairfax Holiday Craft Show – November 21 – 22 – Fairfax, VA

Bill & I will be at the at the Fairfax Holiday Craft Show at the Fairfax High School, 3501 Rebel Run in Fairfax, Virginia this weekend. This is our last show for 2009.

I will be showing my flower photographs, and Bill will have a collection of landscape photographs. Bill will have introducing several new photographs this weekend including a spectacular new photograph of the DC Skyline and a trio of Great Falls photos.

We’re offering a special offer this weekend – available only at the Holiday Craft Show in Fairfax.  For each $50 of photography you purchase from us, take $10 off your total purchase. So you can take $ 10 off a purchase of $ 50 or more, $20 off a purchase of $ 100 or more, etc. This offer cannot be combined with any other special offers.

Show hours are  Saturday November 21 10 AM – 5 PM,  and Sunday November 22 10 AM – 3 PM.

We’ll be in booths 196-197 in  the Gymnasium.

(c) 2009 Patty Hankins

We hope to see you this weekend in Fairfax!