We awoke at 3:00 am to our respective alarms – D’s a blaring horn and mine gentle Westminster chimes. As we work at home and are natural early risers, we only use alarms when we have a plane, or in this case, a ferry, to catch.
By 3:45, the car laden with cameras and tripods and lights, we crept down our drive toward the freeway. The just-waning gibbous moon hung high to the west and as we made our way north, it followed us on our left, lighting the highway through the trees.
At 5:30 am, we crossed the border into Canada, with a smooth entry through customs. We never used to need passports but now they are required.
Turning west, we made for the Tsawwassen ferry terminal, the moon bright and straight ahead now. As we sped along toward the dock, well in time for our 7:00 ferry, the sun rose eastward over the horizon. Moon ahead, sun behind. I lowered the visor mirror and could see both at once. These things make me happy.
A beautiful cruise through the San Juan Islands and we docked at Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island, B.C., by 8:30. A pleasant country drive brought us to our first destination of the day.
The world famous Butchart Gardens.
Our assignment was for video footage, the last of a year-long project for a client. But we could not resist shooting stills as well. While D captured video at the various garden sections, I headed, of course, for The Rose Garden.
Where I spent rather a long time…
Hot, sunny, difficult shooting but still a feast for the photographer.
And then on to the Italian Garden.
(I’ve been working on this post for some days. I originally culled 75 photos, way too many to be practical, so will share the rest of the journey tomorrow – more locations, more ferries and more moons!)
Absolutely gorgeous, what a wonderful job you have, despite the early starts, which I do not think I could cope with.
So beautiful, worth all that travelling! I have heard of the Butchart Gardens and wow! The roses are of course my favourite. I always find it very hard to get photos of flowers in the bright sun, you have done amazingly. Can't wait for more. x
oh georgianna, thank you for this…it is so hot outside, i don't even want to go out to take photos…so i will thoroughly love yours…what a beautiful place and your images spectacular as always!
What a beautiful place! I love the roses hanging over the walkway. Your photos are wonderful!
Donna
What a beautiful morning you had ~ and obviously well worth it with these beautiful pics. I love the shot with the striped canopy ~ and how fortunate you are to live reasonably close to such beautiful gardens. I look forward to more.
~Dianne~
The gardens look beautiful! I think I'd linger among the roses too … although the Japanese garden looks so peaceful (and cool!) Looking forward to part 2 … xox
A feast for the eyes, indeed. I've been to Butchart Gardens once before, years ago, but your pictures make it seem even more enchanting than I remember it. I'm really looking forward to Part 2.
We get up very early tomorrow morning too for an early flight to California. Guess I'll pack the camera too–you've inspired me!
Debi
Lovely! And timing is "funny" to me bc I was at Huntington Gardens the other day–midday (which I assume you've been to since you lived in SoCal) . . . and all I could think of was, ick, hot, am annoyed, and most of the roses are kinda dead. Still enjoyed it, though Iwas smart enough to put camera away
Oh my I would be in heaven there, must add this to the list of places I want to visit someday :)!!! And Georgianna your pictures are just georgeous!!
Hi Georgianna,
It must be fun to spend time capturing so much beauty! I love the roses especially.Is the rose a climbing Fairy rose? The italian Garden looks beautiful also.
My sister lives in Vancouver and if I get back to visit her,I also want to go to Butchart Gardens.
Take care,
Carolyn
Hello G
Now I am excited about seeing Butchart after these photos. We are spending a day there on the 27th before our cruise to Alaska starts.
I know I'm going to wish I had my tripod with me but I have enough stuff to take and will have to keep a steady hand.
Thanks for sharing these and I look forward to more.
Judith
thanks for taking us on your journey! so beautiful.
xo Alison
Your photography is wonderful. Do you own a soft lens? It has been many years since I last visit Butchart Gardens, it is still beautiful. Can't wait for the second showing. Take care.
I was born and raised in Victoria and travel there every few months and I am shamed to say that I have never been to Butchart Gardens. So I loved to see your tour through the beautiful gardens and now I want to go and see the Gardens on my next trip over. I am a regular visitor over here in Minter Gardens in Chilliwack. It is not as big though as Butchart Gardens.
Oh my – makes me realize how long it's been since I've been there. Fabulous shots – love that one with the stargazer ball. Can't wait to see more!
Thank you all so much!
Linda, we are quite used to the early starts so they don't phase us. I just have to have plenty of coffee!
Catherine, it's definitely not ideal to shoot gardens in harsh sunlight. But the main purpose of the trip was video, which handles it much better. People prefer to see someplace sunny than overcast in a promotional video!
Lauren, yes, I love Huntington Gardens, although I haven't been in years and don't think I have any decent photos of. It's a wise choice to put the camera away if the shooting conditions are really miserable and just enjoy the garden. Although, I continued shooting in pouring rain at the iris garden in May. Interesting, although not very salable shots!
Carolyn, it is a lot of fun and a lot of work, of course. I believe one of the climbing roses is 'Super Dorothy' but I'm not yet finished identifying them all. Do indeed visit next time you are in Vancouver. It's a lovely ferry ride and the gardens are spectacular, as you see.
Judith, what fun you are going to Butchart soon! If it's a bright day, you shouldn't need your tripod. Have a wonderful trip!
Msdewberry, great to see you here again. How great that you grew up in Victoria. I know it's not always convenient to see places that are in one's hometown. The only time I see the Space Needle or downtown is when we have guests! I have put Minter Gardens on my list!
xo – g
Jen, I forgot to answer your question about the soft lens. I have soft focus filters, if that's what you mean, but I don't really use them much any more. Any lens can be soft focus if you turn the focus ring to blur it, which I do sometimes, lol!
But I think the effect you are referring to in this case was done in Photoshop. I make a second layer, blur it and change the opacity and blending mode. It softens it without losing sharpeness or detail. I found I had to do it on some shots as the light was so harsh.
xo
Georgianna, your photos are a dream. So so SO pretty! But I couldn't manage getting up that early. I would have barely fallen asleep at that time! :)
Oh the gardens look glorious!! It's been so many years since I've been up there.Your photos make me want to go right now!!!!
Beautiful!
Beautiful place. They're all gorgeous. Will be back to see more. ~Cindy
be still my heart! Oh so beautiful.
Eye candy! Looking forward to Part II! :) Zuzu
Unbelievably gorgeous photos! I love your style. I'm looking to network with other talented female photographers. I will add you to my blogroll. Have a great weekend!
Such lovely photos. I'd forgotten how beautiful that area is. Thank you so much for reminding me!
Beautiful as always!
My trip to Buchart Gardens was over a decade ago, and it is still one of my favorite journeys. I'd like to go back again with my "real" camera. Maybe that's where we should meet next summer. ha – isn't that a fine idea?
beautiful! i haven't visited buchart gardens since i was a liitle girl.
I really am enjoying my tour with you! Such gorgeous flowers! Your photos make me happy! Have a lovely merry happy week and love to you!