Chicago Botanical Gardens (large post)

[nps474]

Cool place, this was my first visit. The plant selection was great, as expected...however, the insect life (dragons, butterflies) was pretty sparse, I was sort of confused as it is August...Maybe the overcast day and humidity kept them away? Acres of blooming plants of all varieties should be a hell of an attractant no?...anyways. mostly flower macros here...hope you guys enjoy them.

[AmberC]

Great photos!!

[nps474]

Thanks Amber, I'm also shooting with a Sony A-100(+Tamron 90mm macro).

[Loupey]

Lots of pretty pictures here.

I like #1 the best and it would be one of those exceptions where I would recommend a really tight crop on it due to the patterns/colors in the flower.

Thanks for sharing.

[WsW-WYATT-EARP]

WOW - you just keep amazing me with that tamron lens of yours ! I agree with Loupey - #1 is just outstanding the way the colors fade from bright yellow to purple/blue on the tips. Great captures.

Coming in a close 2nd would be the ants. You caught them perfectly, can tell they are on the move as ants always are. Great shot again!

I wonder if the botanical garden sprays for bugs ? My mother-in-law does and she has a great assortment of flowers out there but no bugs....

[nps474]

Hey all, thanks so much for the comments and info, much appreciated!

[nps474]

cropped and (over?)saturated.

[scott-devon]

Excellent shots! And yeah..number 1 is outstanding.

[Sushigaijin]

Nice shots. #1 has great colors, but I personally do think the crop is oversaturated. Maybe bump the contrast a bit in the original to get the effect you are looking for.

There are definately bugs at the botanic gardens, I can vividly remember bees and dragonflies to say the least. My guess is TMGT, a term that I use with other field herpers - Too Much of a Good Thing - meaning that too much habitat means that the density does not need to be as high as other isolated, good habitat.