Beauty in a glass house

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Beauty in a glass house

February 3, 2014 by Mike Powell

This past weekend, I was filled with an inexplicable urge to take some flower photos. With the exception of some clumps of snowdrops, nothing was blooming outdoors, so I slipped into the small glass-enclosed greenhouse at my local county-run garden to capture images of some of the tropical flowers there.

I was alone with the plants for an extended period of time and was able to set up my tripod and use my macro lens, which has been gathering dust the last few months. My eyes have grown accustomed to looking for birds in the distance and it was an interesting challenge to get them to focus on the smaller details of stationary objects.

I am not sure of the names of the flowers that I photographed (with the exception of the second one, which is a kind of Lady’s Slipper orchid), but my senses were satisfied temporarily with the sight and smells of these beautiful flowers.

I can’t wait for spring, when I’ll have the chance to to see more flowers (and the accompanying insects) outdoors.

Posted in Art, Flowers, Gardening, Macro Photography, Nature, Photography, Winter | Tagged Alexandria VA, Canon 50D, green spring gardens, Lady's Slipper, Lady's Slipper orchid, Tamron 180mm macro lens | 13 Comments

13 Responses

on February 3, 2014 at 10:47 am | Reply wingedprisms

Great pics….. but FYI for some reason (the first time for you) I had to open them – not showing in post. 😦
- on February 3, 2014 at 10:49 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Let me check that out and see what it looks like for me.
  - on February 3, 2014 at 10:51 am wingedprisms
    
    it may be my end – I noticed another that isn’t appearing – not sure why – maybe my wifi??? I still like your pics 😉
  - on February 3, 2014 at 10:53 am Mike Powell
    
    Thanks. WordPress can be quirky at times. Things look “normal” when I look at the posting.
  - on February 3, 2014 at 10:54 am wingedprisms
    
    thank you – they now show – very quirky. Have a great day…
on February 3, 2014 at 11:21 am | Reply SueBee and Kat

Very pretty! btw, the photos showed up for me immediately. ~SueBee
on February 3, 2014 at 4:22 pm | Reply Mjollnir

Slow down Mike. We haven’t had a winter yet in Norway!
- on February 3, 2014 at 4:31 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  OK, I’ll wait for another month before I really long for spring. I can find flowers blooming in greenhouses, but no matter how hard I looked, I couldn’t find any insects to photograph. When they arrive, I’ll know for sure that it’s spring.
  - on February 3, 2014 at 4:32 pm Mjollnir
    
    Then we’ll know you’re a happy man! 😀
on February 3, 2014 at 7:54 pm | Reply Bella Remy Photography

You have just inspired me Mike. Thank you!
on February 3, 2014 at 8:02 pm | Reply krikitarts

Visiting a glassed-in hothouse is an extremely rewarding and worthwhile dalliance when it’s cold and nasty outside. One of my job trips was to Finland in March, and nearly all I can remember of it was a 2-hour visit to the glass house in the botanical garden. Thanks for the warmth, Mike!
on February 4, 2014 at 6:33 am | Reply New Hampshire Garden Solutions

I understand the urge to take some flower photos. I think these are all orchids. That second one is a beauty!
- on February 4, 2014 at 6:37 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks. The second one is my favorite too. There is something really special about the lady’s slippers, with that part that hangs down. In this case, it has veins that remind me a little of the photos that I have seen of a human heart.