River Concert Series 2025 Information

More about the dates and features of the upcoming River Concert series that I photograph every year for the Chesapeake Orchestra. Calm Reflections Photography has been the official photographer for the series since 2013. Check out the program later to see some of my photos.

https://inside.smcm.edu/events/river-concert-series-2025

Jeffrey Silberschlag, music director

Yellow Tulip Still Life

 Just playing with flowers from the grocery store.  I never know what color I will end up with, so it is challenging to make a still life.  Yellow and purple are complimentary or opposite colors on the color wheel.

Flowers Flowers Everywhere!

I had a particularly busy week in late April, so when I had a few minutes between appointments, I stopped at a commercial garden center and photographed some domestic flowers with my phone and even bought a few petunias.  Photos can be found everywhere.  Enjoy!

Gerbera Daisies

Petunia

Geranium

Redbud trees in St Marys County MD

The redbud trees this year seemed more beautiful than ever.  Even the one we planted as a memorial to my Mom suddenly bloomed extra well.  These were taken in Callaway.

Tulips at Lyon Family Farms

 I visited a local You Pick it Farm when they had some nice tulip fields, instead of driving to Baltimore to see Sherwood Gardens.  I discovered that Sherwood Gardens was a really long trip.  The fields were not only pretty, but I got to bring home a batch of tulips to photograph and bulbs to plant. (although it is somewhat questionable whether they will come up next Spring in our poor soil.)

The farm had really dark purple, almost black tulips, some frilly red and yellow ones and several shades of pink.

Sort of Red White and Blue (purple)

There was a wishing well and a little bridge.

This one reminded me of Mickey Mouse.

I cut off the bulbs later to plant in Autumn.

I loved the pretty baskets for gathering tulips.

Flowers at the U.S. National Arboretum Part 4

The last section we saw in the park included Dogwood trees (Pink, red and white)  near the Asian collection.  Beautiful!

Pink Dogwood

 Some type of weeping willow tree?

I also wanted to share some gorgeous exceptional peonies from the Bonsai area in full bloom.  

Pink Peony

A White Peony had a red and yellow center

Flowers at the National Arboretum Part 3

There were a lot of flowering trees blooming when we visited, including a large quantity of redbud trees.  Even a weeping redbud!  The azaleas were just barely starting to bloom. (more azaleas later!)

Cherry Trees

The historical National Capital Columns were being renovated.

Redbud

Azaleas

Weeping redbud, the first one I've seen.

 

Flowers at the U.S. National Arboretum in April Part 2

We enjoyed wandering around the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum with bonsai from China, Japan and North America.  There was a lovely magenta bouganvillea bonsai I loved, the beautiful round arch of the Chinese pavillion surrounded by wisteria and an orchid bonsai.  I still remember a collection of azalea bonsai from many years ago that was probably on loan.

Chinese Pavilion Gate

Chinese Arch

Red maple

Bougainvillea bonsai

Orchid

National Arboretum Entrance