Happy New Year to all!  As I reflect back on all the photography opportunities and growth that 2012 brought, I also take this time to think about the coming year and what new doors I might open in 2013.  I am eager to continue learning, to explore new types of photography and to get out and shoot in new and different places.  I am grateful for my many photography friends who have inspired me, taught me, and are always eager for the next fun outing to capture the world around us.

The urge to create, the urge to photograph, comes in part from the deep desire to live with more integrity, to live more in peace with the world, and possibly to help others to do the same.

 ~Wynn Bullock

With the busy holidays and time with family, I had not been to the Garden for a couple of weeks.  I wanted to go for one last peek at the holiday decorations before they come down. The tropical greenhouse has a lovely display of amaryllis and a spectacular globe of white Phalaenopsis orchids.

The semi-tropical greenhouse is full of poinsettias of many colors, including the beautiful globes suspended from the ceiling.

I finally had some time to try out my Christmas present - a Tamron 180mm macro.  This is my first non-Canon lens and I have to say, I'm quite pleased with it.     

The arid greenhouse has beautiful globes of red Kalanchoe.