A Beautiful Reflection

Captured in the Waterlily Gardens at Gibbs Gardens, located in Ball Ground, Georgia, two years ago in Summer. It was a hot August day, but I persevered to capture just a tidbit of the beautiful reflections from the pond. I hope you are having a fantastic weekend and Labor Day holiday. ENJOY!

Japanese Gardens, Gibbs Gardens, Kentucky Woman Series

Beautiful Gibbs Gardens, located just to the northeast of Atlanta, has to be one of the most architecturally beautiful botanical gardens I have ever seen. The Japanese Gardens, called Tsukiyama, is the largest Japanese garden in the nation encompassing some 40 acres. The ponds in this particular garden are all spring fed. But I think what really makes this garden are the reflections you find at every twist and turn along the garden path. Come take a walk with me . . .

As I meandered around both sides of the ponds that make up the Japanese Gardens, I couldn't help noticing just how meticulous every morsel of plant and stone and tree was planned and designed to create this breathtaking landscape. Mr. Gibbs my hat goes off to you. Yet, on the afternoon I visited with ample sunlight in tow, I couldn't help but realize one of the reasons for all the planning.

Can you see it, the reflections on the water are simply gorgeous. As I approached one setting after another, it wasn't enough to capture a portrait view, I had to capture a landscape too. Who knew what I would like more when I found myself miles away back home carefully sifting through the images.

Without a doubt, I recall spending an hour or more capturing photographs of the various settings as I walked the many paths and crossed over the ponds and walked around each one. It was an explosion to my senses.

As if the reflections on the water were not enough, I happened upon this scene with a Weeping Willow tree situated next to the largest pond. The foliage around the tree and the huge boulders sitting next to the water's edge was just gorgeous. Oh, how I love Weeping Willows.

Right when you think you can't take in another thing, you happen upon a Japanese lantern sitting idly on top of a large boulder with gorgeous twisted tree branches in the background.

Did you notice how the foreground is a treat to your eyes, but the background is so beautiful of the foliage across the pond on the other side. Tell me someone didn't spend hours planning this. What a genius!

Just to be absolutely certain I didn't miss a thing, I captured a landscape view of this setting.

I wanted to end this post right back where we began. Look at this gorgeous plant with those beautiful sculptures of Swans sitting atop it right in the middle of the largest pond in the Japanese Gardens. The Weeping Willows, the pagodas, the lanterns, the sculpture, oh my goodness, have you ever.

Now I ask you, have you ever seen such a gorgeous garden in your life. This was my first visit to a Japanese Garden, and it won't be my last. I can't even imagine what Gibbs must look like in early Spring and Fall. If you ever find yourself in Atlanta, take a quick drive up to Gibbs. It's virtually in the middle of nowhere in a tiny town called Ball Ground, just south of the north Georgia mountains. You could stay in one of the 'boros northeast of Atlanta and its a quick drive up. I hope you have enjoyed this installment of my Kentucky Woman Series. I simply had the most fun creating it for you. It was as though I had stepped back into the garden for a walk. 
Have a fabulous weekend. ENJOY MY FRIENDS!

Linking to Saturday's Critters and The Scoop

Waterlily Garden at Gibbs, Kentucky Woman Series

As promised here is the next installment in my Kentucky Woman Series. Wondering just what the Kentucky Woman Series means.

Having lived in Tennessee for three years, I decided to pay homage to my home state of Kentucky.

So I am bringing you a series of posts featuring a particular subject in various images from this Kentucky woman.

Today's post hails from beautiful Gibbs Gardens which is situated about an hour northeast of Atlanta in northern Georgia. 

I have to say, this botanical garden is one of the most beautiful gardens I have ever visited.

I traveled to Gibbs Gardens on a hot Summer's day in mid August. The temperatures hovered in the middle 80's, however, the humidity was low on this particular day. Did I mention I watched and waited for a sunny, but less humid span of a couple of days to make the drive to Georgia to view the gardens.

It was as good a day as I was going to get for mid August in northern Georgia, but it turned out to be a nice day. I captured several of these images in midday when I visited the Waterlily Garden the first time. .

Then after visiting other areas of Gibbs, I walked back over to the Waterlily Garden a second time, before I left for the day. So without further fanfare, here are some of the purple Waterlily images I captured on that visit

I would like to say I could identify the exact names for all of these beautiful flowering Waterlilies, but sadly I come up short in that department. I hope you will forgive me.

At one point during my photo session, a Dragonfly decided to fly in for a brief sit down so I captured a few images of him taking a breather. I absolutely love Dragonflies.

These images feature the blue and purple hues in bloom on this bright sunny day at Gibbs. These particular hues are my favorite ones I love to photograph when I'm capturing images of Waterlilies.

For good measure, I thought I would throw in a close up of this purple Waterlily bloom. Gads, what gorgeous flowers. It's hard to imagine all of these images are different Waterlilies, but they are.

There are many gardens at Gibbs to say the least. However, the Waterlily Garden, where I captured these images, turned out to be my favorite. My second favorite was the Japanese Garden. I wished I could describe how gorgeous the Japanese Garden was. Perhaps, another Kentucky Woman Series post is in order to show you some of the beautiful greenery from my visit to that garden. The Weeping Willows with their hanging branches, coupled with the Japanese sculpture featured throughout that garden, was stunning.

I have fallen in love with botanical gardens. Soon, I hope to visit Cheekwood. I would have made the drive over to Nashville by now, but bronchitis had other plans. But, I am back in fighting form again so I hope to pay a visit there soon. I hope you enjoy these images. I loved capturing them. ENJOY!

Blue Nile Water Lily

A beautiful Blue Nile Water Lily as I captured it on my trek to Gibbs Gardens. As I gingerly walked about the Waterlily Gardens in early August this dainty looking Blue Nile Water Lily struck my eye. I hope your week is going well. It's been too too busy for me. The holidays are fast approaching. Before I leave you today, here is a tidbit I put together to wet your whistle. ENJOY!

The 'Happy Holidays' are fast approaching. 

There will be Tom Turkey aplenty and let's wish one and all Seasons Greetings. 

Next comes the Black Friday hustle accompanied by Light Up wherever you are. 

Let's Deck the Halls and afterwards we can Shop Til You Drop. 

Kiddos await jolly Ol' St. Nick where he will Dash Away, Dash Away, Dash Away All.

LEAST WE FORGET  . . .

The Ball Drop in Times Square as we sing a chorus of Auid Lang Syne!

A Photo Story

Reflections, Japanese Gardens, Gibbs Gardens

I am a self taught photographer. I studied Adam Jones, a well known nature photographer here in the States, and James Archambeault, a well known Kentucky outdoor photographer, whose specialty is landscapes and historical settings. I practiced shooting the light using 35mm slide film. I was actually quite good at it to my amazement. When I switched to digital it was frightening. The best thing I did was purchase Adobe Lightroom. Lightroom brings out detail in the shadows which is one of its best features. I love detail and I especially love bold, rich color. It comes from working too many years in the advertising industry. However, I seldom tweak the color, yet at times I do tweak saturation.

I wished I could have captured a crystal clear reflection in this image, but Mother Nature was blowing wistful breezes that day at Gibbs Gardens. I was thankful for them as it was hot. I used my 200mm lens. I had stopped using it so much, but recently I have noticed I am switching back and forth from the 200 to 300mm. This is one of my favorite images from that outing. The contrast in the green foliage and trees is fantastic and the detail, I love it. I took three portraits of this setting, working more on landscape views. I didn't linger when I took the portraits, yet I did on the landscapes. Turns out I love the portrait setting best. Isn't it amazing how that happens.

I appreciate your comments from my trip to Gibbs Gardens and Old Car City, and again to Cheekwood. I do have another post on Old Car City I will share soon. Fall is upon us here in Tennessee. Have a great week. ENJOY!

The Manor House, Gibbs Gardens

With late afternoon approaching, I traveled via shuttle to the Manor House, James Gibbs personal residence, to visit the Koi Pond at Gibbs Gardens. The house itself sits high up on a hill overlooking the Georgia mountains. Limestone steps lead up to the house with Elephant Ears and other ground cover growing in abundance around the trees.

The Koi Pond was situated adjacent to the Manor House with sculptures surrounding it, not to mention a beautiful limestone wall with a waterfall that spilled over into the pond. I read that 20 to 30 year old plants and trees were planted around the Manor House when it was built to add instant age and character. Amazing.

What I did see of the Manor House was beautiful with huge windows spanning almost the entire front of house. Just outside the front door was a huge veranda overlooking the hillside. Would you believe there's a veranda behind all the bushes in this image. Rocking chairs sat idly waiting for visitors to use. What a host to allow his own veranda to be used by visitors.

Earlier in the day, attendants had mentioned a large Rose Arbor off the Manor House, so off I went down the hill in search of it. Sure enough there it was with benches sitting along the walkway and sculptures along the parameter. Flowers were blooming everywhere with Bees and Butterflies buzzing. The Arbor was beautiful with its vines draped off of it.

To capture an image of the length of the Arbor I walked down the hillside on the lawn. By this time the light was absolutely awful, but I persevered. To see such a mansion up close surrounded by a beautiful pond and gorgeous gardens was a treat. Every bit of it was stunning. I hope you enjoyed this walk with me. ENJOY!

Monet's Bridge at Giverny

In the Waterlily Gardens at Gibbs Gardens' in Ball Ground, Georgia, sits an exact replica of Monet's Bridge at Giverny. You know the one. That famous bridge he painted in watercolor and no doubt hundreds, if not thousands, of copies have been made.

How does one do justice in an attempt to photograph such beauty. After several exposures in one setting, I moved about the pond attempting to take different perspectives. Yet as I culled through my archive, I realized my initial perspective was the best. I especially like the tree in the far left background. I also like the hint of Fall in the tree behind the bridge. It added just the right depth and dimension.

James Gibbs, the architect of this beautiful landscape, delighted in the original Monet's Bridge in the Gardens at Giverny that he decided to replicate it in his own gardens. The bridge, with its steel beams, rails and arbor, was measured and reproduced with the same radius. The island was built over the pond to support the span of the bridge. Gibbs also chose Monet's same color choice. The bridge's Wisteria vines drape over the side of the arbors casting dramatic shadows on the water throughout the day. What a setting and such a peaceful one. I hope you enjoyed my perspective. ENJOY!

Linking to Our World Tuesday

European White Waterlily

The star of the show. That is the only way I could describe this beautiful European White Waterlily as it sat afloat on the pond's surface with it's huge green Lily pads surrounding it. The reflection in the water was almost as beautiful as the Lily itself. Amazingly, every photographer around was at some point standing post with their tripod near the water's edge capturing image after image. Hence, the 'star' of the show.

I don't know what my favorite Waterlily would be should I choose one from all of the images I captured on my journey to Gibbs Gardens. There were such gorgeous varieties everywhere. The blues and purples, however, were the most stunning. Warm colors always are, don't you agree. On another note this weekend is supposed to be stellar and I have decided to plan a trek to Cheekwood to take in their Mums display. The word on the street is they have a cottage made out of pumpkins and I surely must photograph it, not to mention the S

Linking to Foodie Friday & Everything Else

Dragonfly in Waterlily Gardens

Here's one of the many frequent visitors to the Waterlily Gardens. A beautiful Blue Dasher, as Steve would say at Shooting My Universe. Not everyone would, but I consider Steve to be one of the consummate Dragonfly photographers here in the States. Why? Well, he's photographed a few!

The Waterlilies were aplenty as I walked around the Waterlily Gardens at Gibbs. Such vivid color, such glorious shapes, such a beautiful setting. I simply must go back. I think I see a trip on the horizon in Spring, when the fields of Gibbs are covered in thousands of Daffodils, and the gardens are laden with every color Tulip one can conjure up in one's mind. Well, I am a tad under the weather so I haven't left comments this week, but I sure did check out everyone's beautiful posts and they were just that, beautiful. I hope you enjoyed my walk in the Waterlily Gardens, and the beautiful specimen I chose to feature today, as much as I enjoyed sharing it. ENJOY!

Linking to Foodie Friday & Everything Else

Resplendent Waterlily

Fall is slowly creeping into our lives and perhaps, more than creeping in, at the higher altitudes. I believe I saw a snowfall on the Weather Channel this week. I wanted to close the week with this resplendent Waterlily bloom I captured while walking around the Waterlily Gardens at Gibbs Gardens a few weeks ago. I have been decorating for Fall, adding touches here and there, throughout my place in an attempt to bring the outdoors of Fall indoors. Are you knee deep in faux pumpkins and splashy wreaths adorned with Fall leaves and stalks of corn. On another note, I hope you are enjoying the cooler temps. While we have had a few hot days this week in the 90's with some humidity, we have not had stifling days like we did back in July and August. Just that slight difference in temps is a big help. Wherever you are this weekend I hope it finds you dreaming of Fall! ENJOY!

Reflections, Japanese Gardens

The Japanese Gardens at Gibbs Gardens is one of the largest in the nation covering 40 acres with seven naturally spring-fed ponds. As you meander through this architectural wonderland, of large rocks and massive boulders, and cross over the bridges that take you from one magnificent landscape to the next, you feel as though you have found a small slice of paradise.

As a photographer I wasn't convinced any photographs I captured would do justice to this beautiful, serene landscape with its gorgeous foliage and draping Weeping Willow tree branches hanging over the large ponds.

Everywhere you turn your eye meets a new reflection in the water. The Japanese Pagodas, the Cherry Blossom trees, the Japanese Maples and the Weeping Willow trees surrounded by thick, lush foliage are like an explosion to your senses. One of my favorite images of these beautiful gardens surely is the Weeping Willow branches as they hang gracefully over the water.

Surely by now you know how much I love water, and the reflections at every turn of my walk, made my visit to Gibbs Gardens such an amazing experience. If you look closely, you can see the subtle changes from Summer to Fall taking shape as the greens give way to Fall colors. If you live near a botanical garden, visit this Fall and experience the riot of colors that Fall brings us. I hope you are enjoying my visit to Gibbs. The weather here is hot today, but cooler temps are on the horizon. Enjoy your weekend. ENJOY!

Linking to Foodie Friday and Everything Else

Waterlily Gardens, Gibbs Gardens

As beautiful as the lush Japanese Gardens were with the gorgeous foliage and large ponds with the Weeping Willow branches draped over the water, the Waterlily Gardens at Gibbs Gardens was simply gorgeous. Clumps of Waterlilies blooming in vibrant captivating colors graced the many ponds of the Waterlily Gardens. There are supposedly 140 varieties of Waterlilies that bloom here throughout the year.

The water source here comes from underground springs adding to the natural feeling you get as you walk among the ponds. As you meander from path to path, you encounter wooden bridges, covered bridges and even natural rock bridges, not to mention small waterfalls and even a Japanese pagoda. Remarkably, this Waterlily Garden has the largest natural display of Waterlilies in the nation.

The star of this feature garden though is the Waterlily flowers in bloom with their vibrant yellows, pinks, blues and lavenders. Before I left Gibbs for the day, I took a second walk around this particular garden as it was so captivating an experience. I was in my glory with all of the color and the beautiful Lily Pads. On this particular day the temperatures were milder than had been all Summer which I had noted on the forecast while planning this trip. I knew I would be spending three or four hours or longer walking throughout these gardens and I wanted the day to be somewhat mild. Thankfully, it was. What a magical place. I hope you enjoy these images as much as I enjoyed taking them. ENJOY!

Japanese Gardens, Gibbs Gardens

After moving to Nashville last year, I researched gardens, parks and wildlife refuges nearby so that I could visit these places throughout the seasons. I happened upon Gibbs Gardens, located in northern Georgia, in my research and after viewing their website knew I would have to visit. I had planned to spend this week photographing South Carolina's Low Country, but with hurricane weather dominating the forecast I decided to reschedule that trip for another time. Instead, I made the drive to visit Gibbs Gardens which as it happens sits at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.

Jim Gibbs is a world renowned landscape architect who designed this 292 acre world class residential garden some years back. It is said he spent six years looking for a suitable site with a strong water source and beautiful mature trees covering a rolling topography to fulfill his dream and create this magnificent garden setting. There are 16 gardens total with three main feature gardens. Gibbs personal residence sits high up on a hill overlooking several terrace gardens on the property. A tram ride will take you up to the 'Manor House' where you can sit on Gibbs own veranda and view the terrace gardens as they slope down the hillside. Gibbs Gardens is one of the nation’s largest residential estate gardens.

The first feature garden you approach as you start your walk throughout Gibbs is the Waterlily Garden which has a full size replica of Monet's Bridge situated next to one of the main ponds. The next feature garden is the Japanese Gardens which has an enormous abundance of trees, shrubs, flowers and Japanese sculptures featured throughout it. This sculpture of a pair of Swans sitting on an island in one of the larger ponds was so stunning and, of course, you know I couldn't resist capturing a few images. The reflections of the foliage in the water caught my eye even before I saw the Swans standing on the island.

I can't begin to imagine this garden in Fall with its red Japanese Maple trees and yellow and orange shrubs and bushes. It surely must look like it's on fire. There is a photo of it on the website you might want to peak at. Our weather is slightly cooler, but 90's keep creeping back in. However, nothing like the 95 and 100 degree heat and 110 heat indices like we had in July. Fall is around the corner and it is beginning to feel like it. I can hardly wait. ENJOY!

Linking to Rattlebridge Farms and Our World Tuesday