I just wanted to let you know that I have created a new video called Orchids. It features several of my orchid photographs and Bach’s “Sheep May Safely Graze” performed by the wonderful harpist (and my friend) Pamela Bruner.
If you like Pamela’s music – be sure to check out her CD’s on her website – PamelaBrunerMusic.com. Sheep May Safely Graze can be found on her Sweet Spirit CD.
I hope you enjoy my new video.
Late last month, I managed to make one more quick trip into DC to the orchid show at the U.S. Botanic Gardens. As always, I was amazed at the variety of colors and shapes of the flowers. Here are a few of my favorites from my most recent trip into the U.S. Botanic Garden’s “An Alphabet Garden of Orchids” show.
Some Golden Blush orchids
Golden Blush Orchids (c) 2008 Patty Hankins
The Wild Willie orchids were different from just about everything else I saw –
Wild Willie Orchids (c) 2008 Patty Hankins
This amazing set of Cattelya Aurantiaca orhcids were the first bright orange orchids I saw
Cattelya Aurantiaca Orchids (c) 2008 Patty Hankins
Finally, there were two different sets of Cattelya hybrid orchids – with ruffled petals in incredible shades of pink and purple
Cattelya Hybrid Orchid (c) 2008 Patty Hankins
Pair of Cattelya Hybrid Orchids (c) 2008 Patty Hankins
The orchid show will be at the U.S. Botanic Garden through April 13. If you haven’t a chance to see it yet – I’d really recommend trying to get there before it closes. You’ll be amazed at the flowers
The U.S. Botanic Garden is located on the National Mall between the Capitol and the Smithsonian museums. The entrance to the Botanic Garden is 100 Maryland Ave, SW, Washington, DC.
Parking is very limited in this part of the city. There are just very few metered space in the area. The easiest way to get to the Botanic Garden is to take Metro – the nearest stations are Federal Center SW and Capitol South on the Orange and Blue lines.
The Botanic Garden is open from 10AM – 5 PM daily, including weekends and holidays. Admission is free.
Here are a few more photos of the amazing orchids I saw at the U.S. Botanic Garden’s “An Alphabet Garden of Orchids” show last week.
This Cymbidium Hybrid Orchid was one of the first sets of flowers I saw when I entered the show. After viewing all the orchids – it is one of my favorites.
Pink Cymbidium Orchids (c) 2008 Patty Hankins
The contrast of the yellow and maroon in the petals of this Golden Rod (Cymbidium Sylvia Miller “Golden Rod”) orchid is particularly striking. I love the way these blossoms cascade down the branch.
Golden Rod Orchids (c) 2008 Patty Hankins
I found the shape of this Chilton Orchid (Paphiopedilum Cockade “Chilton” HCC/AOS ) to be very unusual – as were the colors.
(c) 2008 Patty Hankins
And here’s one last set of pretty pink and white Phalaenopsis Hybrid orchids.
Pink and White Orchids (c) 2008 Patty Hankins
In case you missed the info in my last post about the orchids – the show at the U.S. Botanic Gardens runs until April 13. The Botanic Gardens are open from 10 AM – 5 PM daily. Admission is free.
One of the sure signs that spring is coming in Washington, DC is the annual orchid show at the U.S. Botanic Gardens. This year’s show – “An Alphabet Garden of Orchids” – runs from February 2 – April 13. If you’re going to be in the DC area in the next several weeks, be sure to plan a visit to this year’s show – it is spectacular.
I took a little time on Monday morning to head into the city to see the orchids. Once I got inside the Botanic Gardens an abundance of blooming orchids made it easy to forget just how cold and damp it was outside.
Here are a few of the orchids I saw
Some Golden Treasure orchids (Phalaenopsis – Baldan’s Kaleidoscope ‘Golden Treasure’ ) – I really like the contrast of the purple and the soft yellow on the petals on this one.
Golden Treasure Orchids (c) 2008 Patty Hankins
Some Taida Candy Rose Orchids (Doritaenopsis Candy Rose ‘Taida’) – these are an amazing pink/purple flower
Candy Rose Orchids (c) 2008 Patty Hankins
A Peter Black Emerald Orchid (Paphiopedilum Peter Black “emerald”) – I thought the shape and colors on this one were unique.
(c) 2008 Patty Hankins
Some Kibi Angel Smile Orchids (Dendrobium Angel Smile “Kibi’ Nobile Dendrobium Hybrid) – I really like the ruffled petals on these orchids.
(c) 2008 Patty Hankins
And finally a few Miva Smartissimo Orchids (Phalaenopsis Miva Smartissimo X Phal Canberra) – beautiful soft pink flowers
The U.S. Botanic Garden is located on the National Mall between the Capitol and the Smithsonian museums. The entrance to the Botanic Garden is 100 Maryland Ave, SW, Washington, DC.
Parking is very limited in this part of the city. There are just very few metered space in the area. The easiest way to get to the Botanic Garden is to take Metro – the nearest stations are Federal Center SW and Capitol South on the Orange and Blue lines.
The Botanic Garden is open from 10AM – 5 PM daily, including weekends and holidays. Admission is free.
I hand held my camera for all the photos I took on this trip into the city. The Botanic Garden only issues one tripod permit per day – and they don’t issue them on weekends during the orchid show. On a sunny day, there is plenty of light for taking photos without a flash. I had my camera set at ISO 400 for most of the photos.
I’ll have a few more orchid photos in another post next week, and I’m sure I’ll get back to the Botanic Garden before the Orchid Show closes on April 13.