Renaissance Court

- Renaissance Court at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens is magnificent in its design and beauty. Its classic design was inspired by the Italian Renaissance of the late 16th century. Canon 7D, 1/1000 sec @ f/8.0. ISO 400, 100mm focal length. Converted to Black & White using Silver Efex Pro.

Welcome Garden

- Looking towards the Welcome Garden from behind the fountain in the Sarah Lee Baker Perennial Garden. This area of Norfolk's Botanical Gardens is absolutely spectacular in the early morning light. This picture was made intentionally with a slower shutter speed so the water would appear as stream rather than mid-air frozen droplets. The small aperture at f/32 creates a long depth of field bring both the fountain in the foreground and the gladiolus in the background into focus. Canon 7D, 1/50 sec @ f/32, ISO 400.

Hummingbird Sage

The Hummingbird Sage or Salvia coccinea 'Coral Nymph'. This the developing bud for the bright colored multiple blooms that will appear at the end of this stalk. Canon 7D, 1/100 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 400, 100mm macro. Check out the B&W version of this shot at The World in Black & White.

Another Butterfly

- Yet another butterfly photo the gulf fritillary from the Butterfly House at Norfolk Botanical Gardens. This was a really productive day in terms of getting great photos. We started early so the butterflies weren't real active yet making the chances of getting a good image much better. Canon 7D, 1/60sec @ f/8.0, ISO 400, 100mm macro.

Buckeye

- This Buckeye butterfly was a perfect specimen. While it hard to see at the resolutions used for the blog, I was very happy with the detail in this photograph. With three insect photos in a row, I guess this is bug week. Canon 7D, 1/500 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 400, 100mm macro.

Busy Bee

- The bees were out in force Saturday morning in the border garden at Norfolk's Botanical Gardens. They were so busy that it was very difficult to catch them in focus on the macro lens. With such a short depth of field and the need to focus manually - it was quite a challenge. I took lots of shots most of which were either soft or had the bee exiting the frame. Into the bit bucket with those. But if you take enough, occasionally you get a few good ones. You've got to just love digital photography! Canon 7D, 1/125 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 400, 100mm macro lens, hand held.

Sunrise

- I participated in a sunrise photo shoot at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens this morning. We were set up in the Enchanted Storybook Forest section near the northeastern most part of the gardens. This is looking east towards the Little Creek Amphibious Base in Virginia Beach. Canon 7D, 1/250 sec @ f/16.0, ISO 200, mounted on a tripod.

Gulf Fritillary

- Another butterfly picture from my weekend photo shoot at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. Canon 7D, 1/400 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 400, 100mm macro lens.

129 - Bald Eagle

From 365 Project

This is one of the pair of American Bald Eagles that nest at Norfolk's Botanical Gardens. This year they hatched three eaglets. Canon 40D, 1/320 sec at f/16.0, ISO 400, 400mm focal length. More photos from today's shoot.

94 - Rose Garden Promise

From 365 Project

It was a beautiful day for weddings at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. There were two weddings in progress while we there and this couple was illuminated by the late afternoon sun while taking their vows in the Bicentennial Rose Garden gazebo. Canon 40D, 1/250s at F/10, ISO 200, focal length 285mm.