Thank you for visiting my blog. Much of this blog is dedicated to my passion for photographing the ever-changing palette at The Chicago Botanic Garden. I am fortunate to live within a few miles of this magnificent garden and I spend several days a week walking, observing and photographing the beauty this 385-acre slice of heaven offers. For me the beauty is in the details - the colors, the patterns, the tiny things that might otherwise be missed. Photography in general, but particularly nature and macro photography, teaches you to slow down and look at the world up-close, to observe the mysteries and wonders Mother Nature provides us.
"The contemplation of beauty causes the soul to grow wings." ~ Plato
Summer at the Chicago Botanic Garden podcast on 'Out of Chicago'
I am so honored to have done a podcast with my friend Chris Smith from 'Out of Chicago.' First, Chris and I talk with Courtney Quigley, who manages all the exhibitions at CBG, most importantly the Butterflies and Blooms exhibit. It's a fascinating interview that will reveal all sorts of wonderful facts about the exhibit and the butterflies that inhabit it, as well as important information about the decline in the monarch population. Then Chris and I talk about how to photograph butterflies and some of the highlights to photograph in the Garden in the summer. Listen to the podcast here. All of Chris's great podcasts are available for free on iTunes and you will find them by searching "Out of Chicago" in the iTunes store.
Private Photo Shoot at Butterflies and Blooms
Join Chris Smith and me on Wednesday, August 6th for a private photo shoot at the Chicago Botanic Garden Butterflies and Blooms exhibition. We are renting out the space before it opens from 8-9:30am. Join us at 7:45am outside the exhibition for some quick butterfly photography tips from me before we start the shoot. You can stay longer after the exhibit opens to the public to continue shooting (no tripods allowed after opening, however). Cost of shoot gets you into the Garden as well, so stay all day and photograph the lush and beautiful gardens!
To cover the cost of the rental, it is only $20 a person to join the group, which we will limit to 15 people. If you would like to join us, email Chris at Chris@OutofChicago.com for payment details. Here's the link to the the announcement on Chris Smith's 'Out of Chicago' website.
Here are a few of the butterflies I've been photographing recently in the exhibit...
Pink Rose Butterfly
Male Mocker Swallowtail Butterfly
White Morpho Butterfly
Common Lacewing Butterfly
Pearl Charaxes Butterfly
Timing is Everything
I love photographing the water lilies and lotuses in the summer. The water lilies are constantly in bloom through the summer and even into the early fall, but catching a lotus in bloom and in its prime entails a little bit of luck and timing. The blooms only seem to last a couple of days. The other complicating factor is that water lilies and lotuses open mid-morning and by then the light can be harsh and unflattering. It is important to wait for a day with cloud cover. I was fighting a nasty summer cold last week and between that and the holiday weekend I missed almost a week of being at the Garden. By Wednesday, I refused to stay in the house one more day and headed to the Garden to shoot. The sky was a beautiful blue and filled with fluffy clouds, the temps in the 70's - a perfect day for shooting water lilies and lotuses. I found this perfect lotus in full bloom in the Aquatic Garden of the Bulb Garden. It was the subject of much adoration; many people stopped to look at it and photograph it and there was much oohing and aahing about its beauty. By the end of the afternoon I came home with 300+ images and almost each one worthy of keeping. It took me longer to decide which of the bunch to process than it did to process them, and because the light was so magical they needed very little processing.
Here are a few from my lucky day...
Dahlias in Bloom
Last summer I fell in love with dahlias. I just couldn't get enough of photographing all the beautiful varieties at CBG. The wonderful thing about dahlias is they bloom all summer and into the fall and there are already a good variety to photograph at the Garden this summer. They provide such vibrant bursts of color and I love photographing them up close to capture the array of colors nestled in the petals of the flower. With all the rain and fog we have had over the last week, the flowers have been covered with raindrops or dew early in the morning, making them even more beautiful subjects to photograph.
Early morning dew on a 'Jitterbug' Dahlia in the Bulb Garden.
Dahlias are perfect flowers for trying some soft focus images.
The center of this 'Jitterbug' Dahlia is just beginning to open.
'Bahama Mama' Dahlias are planted in the north bed of the Bulb Garden.
This 'Bashful' Dahlia, which seems far from being bashful with its bold color, is part of the displays around the fountain in the Circle Garden.
The vibrant 'Diva' Dahlias can be found in the beds in front of the Visitor's Center and in the north bed of the Bulb Garden.
Atlas Moths
The Atlas moths at the Butterflies and Blooms exhibit at CBG are among the most fascinating in the collection of butterflies and moths. This past week there were four moths (3 females and 1 male) in the exhibit, and the male was mating with one of the females. Atlas moths belong to the Saturniidae family and are native to the tropical and subtropical forests of Southeast Asia. They are the largest moth in the world in terms of wing surface and their wing span can reach 10-12 inches. There are varying theories as to why the moth is called the Atlas moth - perhaps being named after the titan of Greek mythology, or because of their atlas or map-like wing patterns, or perhaps because in Cantonese the name translates into "snake's head moth," referring to the patterning of the curved forewing tip that resembles a snake's head with eye spot.
Female Atlas moth, recently emerged from the cocoon and waiting for a mate.
When the moths emerge from the cocoon they have no mouth parts and do not eat, relying only on their fat stores from the caterpillar stage. Their sole purpose once they emerge is to reproduce. They live only 1 - 2 weeks. The female secretes a pheromone to attract her mate. The male Atlas uses his long feathery antennae, which are much larger than the female antennae, to detect the pheromones and find the female. Once the eggs are laid, the moth dies. The caterpillars emerge 10-14 days later and the cycle of life begins again - egg, caterpillar, pupa and moth.
Female Atlas mating with male - the male is smaller in size than the female but note the larger antennae.
Close up of the female Atlas - note the transparent triangular windows on the wings.
Close up of another female in the exhibit. Her antennae are thinner than the male's.
The eggs of the Atlas moth.
In 10 - 14 days a dusty green caterpillar emerges from the egg.
Due to USDA regulations, when eggs or caterpillars are found within the exhibit they must be destroyed. The exhibit could not begin to support the eating habits of these large and hungry caterpillars. USDA regulations dictate that only the pupae and the emerging butterflies or moths are raised within the exhibit.
Butterflies and Blooms Article on 'Out of Chicago'
Blue Morpho Butterfly
Enjoy my latest article on 'Out of Chicago' about the Butterflies and Blooms exhibit at Chicago Botanic Garden.
Butterflies and Blooms is Now Open
The Butterflies and Blooms exhibit, one of my favorite things at the Chicago Botanic Garden, opened this past weekend. The exhibit will remain open through the summer months until September 1st. It is open daily, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., weather permitting. The 2,800-square-foot white mesh enclosure is located on the lawn of the Learning Campus at the north end of the Garden. As you stroll through the beautiful garden within the enclosure you will see 100's of butterflies, species native to South America, Asia, North America, and Africa, as well as those native to Illinois. For more information about the exhibit, visit CBG's website: http://www.chicagobotanic.org/butterflies. For tips on photographing butterflies, please read my article at outofchicago.com.
It's Tulip Time at the Garden
It's my favorite time of year to photograph and the tulip displays at the Chicago Botanic Garden are spectacular! I've been photographing the tulips in the side "secret" gardens of the Circle Garden all week. They were closed during our cloudy, misty and chilly weather of last week, but I love photographing them before they burst open, capturing the interesting curves and variations of the outer petals. On Saturday, the sun came out and the temperatures rose to the mid 60's and many of the tulips opened to greet the sun. I braved the crowds at the Garden and am so glad I did because I was greeted by the magnificent display pictured above. I waited patiently for a moment when the crowds cleared to snap this photo. Many of the other tulip displays around the Garden are beginning to open and will be at their prime in the coming week - the main displays in the Circle Garden, the Crescent Garden, the Sensory Garden, the Bulb Garden all have tulips opening. Please read my article on Photographing Tulips at the Chicago Botanic Garden posted on my friend Chris Smith's website Out of Chicago.
Here are a few of the tulips I captured in the side gardens of the Circle Garden during the last week...
Photographing Tulips at The Chicago Botanic Garden
The tulips all over the Garden are starting to open. This is my favorite time of year to photograph and the tulip displays promise to be spectacular this year at the Garden. I have a new article Photographing Tulips at The Chicago Botanic Garden posted on my friend Chris Smith's Out of Chicago website. We all deserve some sunshine and beautiful color after our long, long winter. Come to the Garden and enjoy the beauty!
The Crocuses of Evening Island
The long Chicago winter has finally come to an end. We were all beginning to wonder if spring would ever come after one of the coldest and longest winters in Chicago history. But as it does every year, the temperature finally rose, the snow melted, the ground thawed and the beginning of spring was welcomed by all. Slowly but surely the snowdrops, the crocuses, dwarf irises and other flowers that herald the beginning of spring popped through the ground. What a welcome sight for winter-weary eyes and especially for those of us who love being outside and photographing nature. Spring, with it's renewal of life, is my favorite time of year to photograph. It has been wonderful to see the Chicago Botanic Garden come to life once again, the horticulturalists and staff busy sprucing up and planting each and every area of the Garden. A part of the Garden that I love this time of year is Evening Island; the hillside is blanketed in white, yellow and purple crocuses. It is one of the few areas of the Garden where you can actually walk among the flowers rather than having to stay on the path, which makes it ideal for photographing these beautiful flowers up close. There is ample space between groupings of crocuses to set up your tripod and gear or even lay on your belly in the grass and photograph hand-held, being careful not to sit or lay on any delicate flowers. I usually like to photograph crocuses with my tripod to ensure getting the stamen of the flower in perfect focus. I have a tripod (Gitzo GT2531EX) that allows me to get my camera right down level with the ground. I most often shoot crocuses with a wide aperture which serves to blur the brown grass and produce a dreamier effect. I also enjoy shooting the inner parts of the flower at high apertures to achieve sharp focus throughout the flower and accentuate the beautiful patterns of the flower petals. My favorite of the crocuses are the 'Remembrance' Dutch Crocus, which have beautiful patterning on the petals. The complimentary colors of the bright orange stamens and the purple/blue petals are pleasing to the eye. Here are a number of the many images I have shot over the past week. I said to myself several times that, even if I didn't get one good photo, I sure enjoyed sitting in the sunshine among these beautiful flowers! Thank goodness for spring!
'Remebrance' Dutch Crocus nestled among Yellow Mammoth Crocus...
A peek inside...
A few more crocus portraits...
Garden Photographic Society's 'Nature in View' Exhibit
For more than thirty years, the Garden Photographic Society has been meeting at the Chicago Botanic Garden, providing members a special place to pursue their passion for photographing nature. We invite you to visit the Garden in the coming weeks to watch spring finally unfold and to stop in Joutras Gallery, located in Regenstein Center, to see the Garden Photographic Society's annual 'Nature in View' exhibit. The exhibition features photographs of the natural world, many of which were taken at the Garden. The exhibit opens Saturday, March 22 and runs through Sunday, April 6. The exhibit is free to the public but the Chicago Botanic Garden does charge non-members for parking. Members can park for free.
Please come and see the exhibit! I have four pieces in the show, one of which is pictured above. Bring your camera as spring is just beginning to unfold. The snowdrops are popping through the ground and soon crocus and tulips will follow. I've been so busy these past months, I just haven't been able to do blog updates but I promise to blog more as spring comes to the Garden. It was a long and cold winter here in Chicago and we are more than ready for the blessings of spring!
The Arid Greenhouse at Chicago Botanic Garden
The Arid Greenhouse has quickly become one of my favorite areas of the Chicago Botanic Garden. I have to admit that I wasn't all that into cacti and other succulents until I began to spend more and more time exploring this fascinating greenhouse. With the challenge of shooting and posting a photograph every day for my 365 project in patterns and textures, I became a frequent visitor to the greenhouse, especially once the weather was too cold to spend much time outdoors. It has been one of the coldest and snowiest winters we've had in Chicago in a long time, forcing us photo enthusiasts to get creative in finding things to shoot indoors. It's amazing to me that as many times as I've been in the Arid Greenhouse, I never tire of it and I always find something new and interesting to photograph and learn about. Learning a bit about these plants and their adaptations to an environment of extremes has been fascinating. The unusual shapes, shallow root systems, waxy coatings and thorns or spines are all ways the plants have adapted to the harsh conditions of the desert and enable them to store and conserve water. Ranges in temperature from searing heat during the day to a 40 degree drop at night, rocky, sandy soil and precious little water have all forced cacti and succulents to not only adapt but thrive in their unique environment.
In this environment of extremes cacti and other succulents produce some of the most exquisite blooms I have ever seen. Last summer, a sudden downpour forced me into the greenhouses. In the Arid Greenhouse the 'Apricot Glow' cacti were in full bloom. If it hadn't rained that day I might have completely missed this spectacular display because their blooms only last a couple of days. Because I had just started my 365 project around that time, I quickly discovered what a treasure trove of interesting patterns and textures this greenhouse provides.
'Apricot Glow' Cactus
The tiny and colorful flowers of Echeveria
The Artichoke Agave is one of my favorite plants in the Arid Greenhouse. Its sharp colorful thorns and spines provide protection against thirsty animals and the pattern of leaves direct water downward to the root system. As the waxy leaves unfold they leave interesting imprints.
Another form of agave, the Thread Leaf Agave, is a plant I had never noticed before in the greenhouse until recently. It makes for a very interesting photo using a shallow depth of field.
In fact, the Arid Greenhouse is a perfect place to experiment with wide open apertures - the light and color variations in the greenhouse do well with this style.
'Red Glow' Echeveria
My macro lens often helps me see things I might otherwise miss with the naked eye. When I shot this Silver Jade Plant I was focusing on the colorful pop of pink and yellow on the leaf's edge. When I got it up on my computer screen I was surprised to see the subtle dot pattern as well.
One of my favorite textures I discovered was a fuzzy form of Echeveria. If you don't get down low to ground you might miss its wonderful texture. Because the plant was not labeled, I nicknamed it "Fuzzy Wuzzy."
Groupings of cacti make for some interesting compositions.
...as well as close-ups to show off the tiny flowers and spiny textures of the cacti.
There are plants in bloom throughout the year in the Arid Greenhouse. The opening of the flower of the Royal Paintbrush was fun to witness a couple of months ago.
This is a small sampling of the many photos I've taken in the Arid Greenhouse; many more are posted in my 365 Project and throughout my website. I highly recommend a trip to all the Greenhouses at CBG but take some extra time to explore the unique environment of the Arid Greenhouse. It is filled with opportunities for wonderful photos and you'll stay toasty warm while you explore. Just be aware that all the Greenhouses are currently only available to those who hold tickets for the Orchid Show (February 15 - March 16th) - all the more reason to visit! Visit CBG's website for more info on the Orchid Show and read my previous post on photographing orchids.