In all the years I have been in Chicago I haven’t actually been to the Chicago Botanic Garden. At least not to look at the beautiful plants and flowers, but to ride there at the end of the North Branch Trail. After doing a tour of the greenhouses in the area, we decided to spend an entire day outside.

A beautiful bokeh effect off one of the shimmering ponds with direct sunlight overhead. I am used to larger bokehs, but this one is nice because they’re like champagne.

There were a few fountains, and so I thought I would start to play with shooting water jets at high speed. The results don’t look anything like water.

This little boy was sitting in the pagoda waiting for his family to return. He was quiet and peaceful.

One of the walkways is lined with beautifully manicured trees, leading you into a blue sky.

I rarely see purple or blue flowers in the wild, so I was very delighted to see so many here. These were all grouped together. That hint of purple in there also made it so pretty.

The Gardens also offer opportunity for more timid plants. In the shade, this little yellow flower looked almost surprised to see us.

And this green plant almost seemed to wake up when we came up to it.

Cannot wait to get back out there. In the six or so hours we were out there I discovered the need for a macro lens. So one of these times I will head out there with a rental and see how that’s different.