Photography by John Michael

"Preserving the memories so others will remember"™

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens – The VICTORIA Waterlily

I returned to the gardens and because of the warm weather, the tropicals

were still much in bloom and growing. Despite the other ponds being stripped of their vegetation (the Lotus ponds were BARE … what had been waving “elephant ear” leaves and seed pods was now short “stumps” poking out of the mud, since these ponds were drained)

Alas, my quest that I had been in pursuit of the last time I had visited, was going through it’s changes. The exterior of the bud, the size of a football (or a coconut still in its husk) had peeled away to reveal the snow white bud still tight. Now the flower was open and the Pink+ +Victoria Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens The VICTORIA Waterlily center lines of the petals were pink. Another flower had totally turned nearly red in color signifying it’s end of cycle of the two day blooming.

Victorias are “night bloomers” so one must get to them before the midday sun forces the bloom to close its petals.

Enjoy the photos…

Posted 4 years, 3 months ago at 6:38 pm.
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My Photography Style – Georgia O’Keefe – Flowers & Friends

Even before I knew who she was, I was “up close and personal” with my photography. I have to thank my mentor, Phil (may he rest in peace) for introducing me to the macro world back in the ’80s when I made the move back to the film SLR world. As an inexpensive way of getting into macro without investing in the lenses, he suggested that I purchase the macro filter set which I began playing with.

In the late ’90s, I got involved in the Childrens’ Rights Council. When I moved to Virginia, I was battling seeing and being involved in my daughters’ lives (that door will stay closed). One of the leaders of that organization at that time looked at my photos and made the announcement “You’re the Georgia O’Keefe of photography!”

Well I was rather honored by his statement and even moreso when I explored who this person was. I’ve posted a favorite image of this noted artist who’s husband was a photographer. I’ve also dug out the photo that gave me the distinction by that Childrens’ Rights Council person. You’ll find the “glad” photo below…

Macro photography is fun and opens up many new worlds that most people never see…

“one must make time to see.”

GHTime Code(s): nc

Posted 4 years, 4 months ago at 9:57 am.
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Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

One of the hidden gems in the National Park System and in the Washington DC area — it’s over 100 years old and one of my favorite places to photograph and explore and relax — it’s away from the crowds and the 14 plus acres of ponds are filled with the work of nature (with a little help from the park rangers) — known for the waterlilies that grace the ponds, there are also lotus that are rather majestic.

It was begun by a Federal officer returning from the US Civil War. The park has a rather interesting background — if you check out my website, you’ll find a small selection of the numerous photographs I’ve collected there since 2003. Many people who are lifetime residents of the Washington, DC area have never visited this wonderful place.