Yesterday I had the desire to photograph something different. For the past few months, my long 150-600mm telephoto zoom lens has remained on my camera and I have focused mostly on birds. I decided to switch back to my 180mm macro lens, the lens that I use most of the time during warmer months, and set off for Green Spring Gardens, a historic county-run park only a few miles from where I live.
Not surprisingly, I did not spot any insects, but I was thrilled to find several patches of Snowdrop flowers (g. Galanthus) in bloom. I had a fun time trying to compose some shots of these beautiful little flowers, though I did end up a bit muddy, because it had rained a lot the previous day.
At this time of the year the flower beds are mostly dirt and/or mulch, so it is impossible to get the smooth green backgrounds that I often strive for during the spring and summer months. However, I was able to blur the background some by carefully choosing my shooting angle and adjusting my camera settings.
During my time at the park, I also visited the “glasshouse,” a small greenhouse that houses tropical flowers, succulents, and bromeliads. It felt great to soak up the warmth of the sun in this enclosed environment and I managed to take a few photos there that I will share in a future blog posting.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
I absolutely love these photos! I look forward to the “glasshouse” photos. Snowdrops were amongst my Gram’s favorite flowers and there was an abundance of Snowdrop plants in her numerous gardens. A fondness that was passed along to me. Louise Beebe Wilder (1878-1938) was an American Gardener and author of several books some of which could be found on my Gram’s bookshelves. A quote from one of them which deserves to be shared on this post : “Snowdrops : Theirs is a fragile but hardy celebration…in the very teeth of winter.”
Thank-you, Mr. Mike!!
Thanks so much, Benjamin, for your thoughtful and encouraging comments and for sharing that awesome quote.
As written in my January 1st comment on your post “Beginning softly” I do not often comment anymore. For some unknown reason (to me at least) my name does not appear as it once did nor can I change it back & forth to “Benjamin”. Mayhaps, due to the fact that I am a non-blogger and only a follower?! This comment was not from Benjamin but me. Be that as it may, I am so glad that you like the comment and the quote! P.S. Benjamin has become somewhat quotatious but this one is not one of them! Ellen.
Thanks, Ellen, for the clarification. I could not tell from the initial message whether it was from your or from Benjamin. In either case I really liked it a lot. I hope this new year finds you happy and healthy.
Beautiful images, thanks for sharing
Lovely