What a special opportunity to stay out at one of my favourite places, to be able to roam around whenever the urge came to me. I feel so connected to this place. I wish I could have arranged my time to allow for a longer stay. Perhaps another time.
As a photographer, you come to appreciate "good" light. Isn't all light good? No! It isn't. When you have no other option you use the light you have but if you have a choice morning and evening light is softer, it's referred to as the golden hour or blue hour. It is without the harsh brightness and shadows of mid-day. So when I had the freedom to shoot in the morning and evening that was what I did.
Morning Challenges
I was not expecting such dew, I had water squishing between my toes in no time. Thankfully my shoes dried pretty fast and my husband brought me some extra pairs. If I had packed like a friend of mine I would not have had a problem - she always has an extra couple of pairs.
And of course, there were the ever-present mosquitoes. Why does sunrise have to be so early?
Morning Rewards
I knew sunflowers followed the sun but until my visit, I did not know that poppies were heliotropic as well. I looked out the front window on my first morning and was greeted by the east-facing poppies - what a glorious sight. It made getting out of bed all worthwhile. Unfortunately, my foggy morning brain failed to have me take a picture.
Although I did not get that special early morning poppy shot, I did get plenty of others.
Lupines
Even though I had made a trek out to the gardens to shoot lupines a few days earlier they were still in fine shape when I made this trip. A palette of colour any artist would appreciate.
Dictamnus Albus
Its proper name sounds much better than its common name - white gas plant.
My plant ID app failed me so I went to Kara Matthews of the Coutts Centre and she filled me in on this beauty.
It has an amazing scent of lemon- so intense it reminds me of a lemon flavoured sucker!!
The anemone or windflower continued to make an appearance here and there throughout the gardens.
After their grand take-over in the rose garden, alliums were preparing to show themselves elsewhere.
While in the Lily Garden the common harebell was making its first appearance.
It may more properly belong in the Native Border but wildflowers are known for choosing where they will grow and this one chose to join the lilies
The Rose Garden
In the Rose Garden was this wonderful white one I missed on my first and second days. It would have been a shame not to have captured this beauty.
It isn't always about the blossoms.
I am not a selfie taker but with a remote on my camera, I decided to give it a try. Did I feel a tad foolish doing this? Yes. Thankfully no one happened by!
Until next time - stay well and stay safe.
Credits:
C.J. Bennington Fine Art Photography