Tilghman Lake Park June 3, 2022

Our latest adventure was to Tilghman Lake Park in La Plata,MD.  This park was well planned, with a trail that connected to Laurel Springs Regional park and an exercise course with photo suggestions around the lake.  The lake trail was easy for me with some great spots to picnic and fish. Apparently, the lake was stocked with small fish for catch and release.  I ended up walking further than I needed to because I almost found the entrance to the trail and turned around to go the other way.  I saw several pretty butterflies, including a mourning cloak and painted lady butterflies.

Mourning cloak butterfly

Kousa weeping dogwood

Painted lady butterfly

These people looked like they were having fun, so when they spotted me with a camera they created a joyful pose.

Yellow Crowned Night Heron Juvenile?

I am wondering if this bird is the same as the yellow-crowned night heron juvenile I thought I photographed on July 25th.  They like marshes and eat crabs, fish and small snakes.  This part of St. Mary’s County sounds ideal for them, but this is the first year I have seen one.  They are often nocturnal. I couldn’t see its feet to be sure.

Earlier photo on the lawn.

Brookside Gardens

Brookside Garden Reflections in the Spring

 Painting

 Peaceful

Flower Reflections

Flowers and Such

We visited the Holiday Displays at Longwood Gardens while the temperatures were still comfortable.  Here are some highlights.

From the Greenhouses...

      Hibiscus

      Anthurium

      Orchids

      Holly

     From the grounds....

      Bold squirrel

      Reflections

      Curves

For the holidays....

    Holiday Displays

See Calm Reflections Photography Facebook for more fountains and holiday displays.

Spring Colors and Reflections

In May, we spent a weekend looking at spring flowers enjoying the beautiful weather.    These are some of my favorites.  I got the dark background on the pink columbine and bluebells by using the Nikon R1C1 Wireless Close-up Flash System.  I have 3 mini flashes that light the flower and I use a fairly small aperture f/22 – f/29.  It’s kind of complicated.  (It’s also fun to use, because most people haven’t seen one before and it creates a little attention at times.)

 

I saw the lovely reflection from nearby azaleas and had to act quickly when some geese swam by.  I couldn’t decide which photo I prefer.  In some ways the green reflection is better because it doesn’t distract from the goose.  The pink reflection on the other hand, is quite unique and vibrant.  Which picture do you like better?

January winning photos

I had fun in Adobe Photoshop with my first prize Advanced digital  photo for January 2013 at the St. Mary's County Camera Club. 

I turned the photo of a reflection of the Capitol in Washington D.C. upside down.  The photo was taken at dusk, creating the nice golden glow.

I also got an honorable mention for a photo of a Gyr falcon with his lovely white feathers.  Just don't ask me how to pronounce his/her name!