Guest Post: The Works of an Amazing Garden Photographer

Swallowtail Butterfly with Nikon D5100

I have the opportunity and pleasure of sharing the garden photography of Richard Dressner, friend and talented photographer. Rich has had a lifetime passion for being behind the lens of a camera and has become a serious photographer for the past two years.  Inspired by the blooms and visitors to his wife's gardens, he is now embarking deeper into the world of macro photography and the use of various lighting techniques.

"Here's looking at you, kid" with Nikon D5100

 Recently, Rich prefers his Nikon D600 for all photography over his Nikon D5100.  When asked what other lenses he uses for his close ups and long distance shots Rich replies, "I don't have a real maco lens but I use a Nikon prime 50mm f/1.8 lens when I need to get close.  It can focus down to twelve inches from the subject and is sharp enough to allow for deep cropping...  

Cleome Nikon D5100

For more distant subjects I use my Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII. It’s a very expensive lens but sharp and bright with outstanding vibration reduction". For general landscape, I use a Nikon 24-85mm. The Nikon D5100 is still a good little camera for travel, etc." 

Lillium 2 Nikon D600

Here are some photographs of the gardens. When asked which type of photography is his favorite Rich replies, "I don't have a favorite, but I do enjoy garden and wildlife shots."

Lillium 2 Nikon D600

With winter approaching, he plans to experiment with mysterious lighting and dabble in studio shots.

Monarch Butterfly Nikon D5100

Enjoy the rest of these amazing photos.  I cannot seem to get enough of them!

Monarch Butterfly Nikon D5100

"Murder in the Garden" Praying mantis and Bumblebee with Nikon D5100

Praying mantis Nikon D600

Praying mantis Nikon D5100

Sedum & Painted Lady with NIkon D5100

Swallowtail Butterfly Nikon D5100

Water lily with Nikon D600

 According to Rich, "Photography is an interest that welcomes everyone. It can be deeply technical, but modern cameras are automated enough to allow people of all skill levels to achieve beautiful results, and flexible enough to grow with the photographer as new skills are acquired and the safety net of automation is no longer needed. If you shoot what you are passionate about, it’s a thrilling and rewarding pursuit."

As Always...Happy Gardening! 

 

Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2013. All rights reserved. 

Muir Woods National Monument: Photo Journey of the California Redwoods

 

Welcome to Muir Woods National Monument

Muir Woods National Park is a remnant of the ancient redwood forests that blanketed parts of the northern California coast back before the 1800's. William Kent and his wife Elizabeth Thacher Kent bought this land in 1905 in order to protect one of the last untouched areas of redwoods.  To protect the land the Kents donated the land to the federal government and in 1908 President Theodore Roosevelt used the 1906 Antiquities Act to declare the area a national monument which was later named after conservationist John Muir.

Muir Woods National Park Redwoods

Muir Woods National Monument is located 12 miles north of the Golden gate Bridge in San Francisco, California. It consists of a 560 acre park with six miles of trails meandering through some of the last remaining redwood forests in the world. 

Muir Woods National Park Redwoods Cathedral Grove

Much of the Northern Hemisphere was covered with Redwood-like trees 150 million years ago.  Climate change caused the numbers or Redwood to decrease drastically leaving only two species in California.  While many of the world's redwoods were lost due to industrialization and nearing extinction the canyon of redwoods in Muir Woods was never logged and remains preserved here today.

Muir Woods National Park Redwoods Cathedral Grove

The breathtaking Cathedral Grove represents trees ranging in age from 500 to 800 years with heights up to 258 feet towering towards the sky.  The main attraction of the Muir Woods is the Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) seen here, a relative of the Giant Sequoia which is known for its great heights.  The oldest tree existing in the park is over a remarkable 1,200 years old. 

Muir Woods National Park Redwoods Cathedral Grove

It is a beautiful sight as the rays of sunshine stream down through the canopy of trees into the park.  The lingering fog presents a misty appearance.

Muir Woods National Park Redwoods

Many of the redwoods in the park are now petrified after hundreds and thousands of years...

Muir Woods National Park Redwoods

with hues of purple and green ingrained into the wood.

Muir Woods National Park Redwoods Petrified Wood

This tree was hollowed out by a fire years ago and has become petrified into stone.

Muir Woods National Park Redwoods Petrified Wood

Many remains from the fire can be seen throughout this area in the park.  Wildfires frequently occurred every 20 to 50 years in  this area before fire suppression began in the 1800's. Controlled burning has been established to keep the integrity of the ecosystem alive as fire benefits the forest floor through the recycling of nutrients.

Muir Woods National Park Redwoods

Below... the naming of the California redwood is explained.

Muir Woods National Park Redwoods

The first written reference to redwoods was from a missionary in October of 1769 as seen above.

Muir Woods National Park Redwoods

Beneath the canopy of redwood trees are California big leaf maples, tan-bark oaks,  red alders, Douglas fir and various species of ferns.  Redwood Creek flows through the park while several bridges cross over the calmly moving waters for visitors walking the trails.

Muir Woods National Park Redwoods

The inside appearance of a fallen tree can reveal a lifetime of events.  Annual rings and fire scars on this tree can be seen showing the climate record and history of this redwood.  Generally large annual rings are a sign of plentiful rainfall and nutrients and much growth while narrow rings are a sign of stress and struggle for survival.

Muir Woods National Park Redwoods

The redwoods in the park flourish in California's fog belt where and yearly daytime temperatures range between 40 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.  During the drier summer months the forest is layered in fog which keeps the park cool and moist year round.  On average the park receives up to 40 inches of rain during the winter months which supports the moisture requirement of the redwoods.

For more information on Muir Woods visit Muir Woods.

Muir Woods National Monument
1 Muir Woods Road
Mill Valley, CA 94941

Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2013. All rights reserved.  All photos are the property of A Guide to Northeastern Gardening.

 

Allerton Botanical Gardens Kauai: A Little Bit of Paradise

Allerton Botanical Gardens Kauai

On a recent trip to the island of Kauai in the Hawaiian Islands I visited Allerton Botanical Gardens which are a true paradise. Located on the south shore of Kauai in the Lāwa'i Valley between the McBryde Garden and Pacific Ocean, Allerton Gardens encompass approximately 80 acres.   Allerton was the home of Hawaii's Queen Emma in the mid-19th century and was then passed to the McBryde family.  In the late 1930's, the grounds became the estate of Robert Allerton and his son, John Gregg Allerton. On August 19, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson granted a charter to the National Tropical Botanical Garden for the preservation of endangered native species.  The site is now maintained as a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and preservation of endangered tropical plants and protection of the world's diverse ecosystems. Encompassed in a world of rain forests, native fruits and spices, hidden waterfalls and Jurassic trees Allerton Gardens will continue to provide a tropical paradise for visitors of all ages. 

Allerton Botanical Gardens:  Paradise in Kauai

Often used as a set for movies and television series such as Gilligan's Island, Fantasy Island, Jurassic Park, Pirates of the Caribbean and Avatar this picturesque postcard scene is like a fantasy.

Tour Bus

We took the Discovery 'Behind the Scenes' Tour that ventures into other areas of the garden such as its intensive care unit for endangered species and a hidden waterfall. Our tour guide was wonderful.  His intensive knowledge and sense of humor made the visit a memorable experience which we will remember forever. Allerton Gardens are on the top of our list as one of Kauai's main attractions!

Mango Tree

In 2003, NTBG began an ambitious restoration of an area known as Lāwa‘i-kai including the beach and adjacent coastal forest in the Allerton Garden. The project’s first goal was to remove  invasive alien plants which had crowded out most native strand plants and had threatened the Hawaiian green sea turtle's (honu) nesting areas.  The goal was to create a vegetative barrier to alleviate damage from tropical storms such as the tsunami and two hurricanes that had struck the area previously and to create a stable habitat for a wide array of highly endangered native plants after removal of alien invaders.  The landscape was developed through the study of fossil and historical records to replicate the type of environment that would have existed a millennium ago.

Alula Brighamia insignis Endangered Plant

Many of the plants, including rare palms, trees, and shrubs native to the island, now thrive in Allerton Gardens. The Alula is one of the garden's conservation successes.  Having lost its natural pollinator the species was near extinction. NTBG botanists traveled to steep cliffs to collect pollen and hand cross-pollinate wild plants to generate fruits and seeds for germination.

Tropical Rain forest

This rain forest and its species resemble the environment a millennium ago during the days of the first Polynesian inhabitants.

 Banyon Tree Aerial Roots

As we walked through the gardens we experienced unusual tropical palms with thick aerial prop roots... 

Palm Seeds

attractive red seeds produced from native palms... 

Cycad Cones

and giant prehistoric looking seed cones produced from native cycads.

Ixora (Jungle Geranium)

The island is also the home of many tropical flowers including Tropical Geranium 'Ixora' (above) and Torch Ginger 'Etlingera elatior' (below) which were two of my favorites.   Ixora displays clusters of beautiful orange, scarlet, yellow or red blooms at the ends of branches with leathery green leaves ranging in size from three to six inches in length.  Each cluster may contain up to 60 individual star-shaped flowers.

Torch Ginger (Etlingera elatior).

This beautiful flower known as Torch Ginger can be seen throughout the island in shades of red and pink.  Although ginger is not native to Hawaii the plants in the ginger family (Zingiberaceae) grow very well on the islands.  The red flowers are more visible but if you look carefully into the brush you may also get a glimpse of the pinks.  A much rarer white torch ginger can be found growing in the McBryde Garden above the 'Spice of Life trail'.

McBryde Waterfall

The McBryde Waterfall located at the border between the Allerton and McBryde gardens is a must see.  This waterfall was featured in the movie 'Pirates of the Carribean' and rightfully so.  It is a hidden away treasure in the gardens and its beauty is breathtaking.   While touring the gardens our guide took us through the rain forest to see this marvel of nature. 

Crossing Bridge

A wooden bridge crosses over to the beach where we had the rare opportunity to view the nesting site of the endangered green sea turtle (honu) which is being protected by the National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG).

Lagoon and Palms

Does this Look like a scene from Gilligan's Island?  The well known television series from the 1960's was filmed here.

Education on Plants

Here our tour guide discusses the various native plants and species preserved here in the gardens. 

 Pandanus tectorius (Hala Tree)

Above is the Hala tree. Native to Hawaii several parts of the tree are utilized but in Hawaii the most common use of Hala are the leaves. The leaves of the Hala tree are woven into various objects such as mats, baskets, hats, canoe sails, and bags. The leaves were also used to thatch houses and homes for animals.

Noni Morinda citrifolia (Indian Mulberry)

The Noni was one of the most important medicinal plants of the native Hawaiians although most of the medicinal uses were from other parts of the tree other than the fruit itself. The bark and roots of the Morinda bark produce dyes that can be used in making batik and dying cloth and the oil from the seed can be used as an anti-inflammatory.

Hibiscus

The Hibiscus is the official state flower of the Hawaiian Islands and means "delicate beauty". In Hawaiian culture it communicates power and respect and is a symbol of old royalty. Traditionally, the flower is worn behind one ear, behind the left ear signifying that a woman is in a relationship and is uninterested in attracting a man, whereas tucking the blossom behind the right ear announces that a woman is available.

Queen Emma lily (Crinum pedunculatum) aka Spider Lily

Scattered throughout Allerton Garden are clusters of Queen Emma lily (Crinum pedunculatum) also known as spider lily and named on the islands after the Queen who had an affection for the color purple.  This unusual flower stands out with its long, spiral-like leaves in shades of purple and white and was used in the movie set of  "Avatar".

Morton Bay Fig Trees Jurassic Park

If you have ever seen the movie "Jurassic Park"  then you have noticed the very large prehistoric looking trees in many a scene.  These are the actual Mortan Bay Fig trees that were used on site for most of the filming.

Morton Bay Fig Trees Jurassic Park

I was able to get a picture standing by one of these magnificent and majestic trees so that you could get a feeling of the size of its roots.  I felt like I was back in Jurassic time and oh what a thrill! 

Pothos Plant

If this giant Pothos plant looks familiar to you it is probably a common houseplant in your area.  Invasive here in Hawaii it grows as a vine on native trees and poses quite a nuisance.   When the tour guide tested me as to what is was I couldn't believe the size of the leaves...jungle style!

Rain forest with Aerial Roots, Philodendron and Palm

 These aerial roots are amazing as they cascade downward like ropes from the tree tops.  Many of the rain forest plants produce these root extensions to take in more moisture.

Plumeria Flower

Plumeria is not native or Polynesian-introduced but it is one of the most well known and favorite trees in Hawaii.  Beautiful fragrant blooms range in color from bright white (most fragrant) to yellow, pink and red. Several beautiful Plumeria trees grow throughout the Allerton garden.



Lotus Pond

At the end of the tour we viewed the lotus pond with magnificent blooms that could take your breath away.  I was able to get this close-up of the flower showing the details of its beauty...just another day in paradise.

Lotus Flower

This was certainly an experience of a lifetime and I would recommend visiting these magnificent gardens to anyone.  I hope to return to Allerton Gardens again someday so for now it's just Aloha.

For more information visit Allerton Botanical Gardens

Visitors Center - 4425 Lawai Road, Poipu 96756

As Always...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2013. All rights reserved