Postcard from US Botanic Garden

The DC area is blessed with green space & gardens, especially for a big urban area. There is the Meadowlark Botanic Gardens, Brookside Gardens, National Arboretum, Rock Creek Park, Mt. Vernon, Great Falls, Hillwood Gardens, Washington National Cathedral Gardens, and River Farms. There are probably others that I'm forgetting.

And, of course, there is the US Botanic Gardens. It's my favorite place on the National Mall, especially in winter when it is warm and tropical inside. But in spring and summer, the gardens are fabulous full of bulbs and colorful annual & perennial flowers. Each visit to the USBG you see tons of "tourists" (either actual tourists or locals enjoying the tourist attractions in the area) with their cameras out, intently photographing flowers and leaves and landscapes. For good reason, too: Not only are the flowers themselves very nice but in the conservatory there is excellent lighting. It's sunny but with shadows that hit the flowers in very, well, illuminating ways. You can really paint with light in there!

Here are some macro photos from my recent trip with, when possible, names listed:

Phragmipedium Grande (in color and black & white)

Another type of orchid

An unnamed lily

Another unnamed flower

Same as flower above, but not yet unfurled

Seedpod

Orchid

Note: Above photos are copyrighted material and should not be used without permission.