GardenFest of Lights 2013

December 18, 2013 by anyonecantakeapicture

Lewis Ginter is a rotating bucket of natural fun!

Each year, they deck the grounds in lights and stay open after dark so that folks can stroll around and Ooh and Aah at the sparkling splendor. I haven’t been in several years but thought this year was as good as any to head over and snap some festive light shots.

I arrived early so I could scope the place out before it got crowded and ended up catching the sunset. But I’m getting a little ahead of myself.

I checked out the conservatory first. One wing was decorated with cute little woodland creatures (and some cactus, an odd combination, but I’m not complaining).

And another had train tracks set up with little miniatures (and a big, gorgeous tree!)

After the conservatory, I started meandering around the grounds, catching the last bright rays of the sun.

Once the sun went down, the lights started to come on. I played with the settings on my camera for a bit waiting for it to get a bit darker.

Finally, it got dark enough to really start seeing some contrast. The next three sets are comparing right after the sunset to about 20 minutes later.

And now…the lights!

Fall Leaves – Over the Years

November 24, 2013 by anyonecantakeapicture

As the last of the autumn leaves make their swirling way to the ground and winter’s icy breath begins to chill the bone, thought I would post some of my favorite pictures of fall colors over the years.

2007

This poster was actually 18 pictures stitched together to give the effect of a panorama, before the panorama function was built into digital cameras.

2010

2011

2012

2013

A cemetery…and a Birthday…on 11/12/13?

November 13, 2013 by anyonecantakeapicture

My Dad’s only birthday wish (aside from a nice dinner out), was to drive around Hollywood Cemetery. A little morbid, perhaps, but it was a lot of fun and full of photo opportunities (and it was 11/12/13!).

We started in an older section. Some of the markers were so old the engravings had been worn down.

Had to post some birds.

Memorial to the Confederate Women of Virginia

It snowed! In early November! In Richmond! On 11/12/13! It was just a little flurry and only lasted for 10 or 15 minutes, but it was still the earliest snow I’ve seen since I’ve lived here. You can kind of see a streak of white on my Dad’s brown jacket.

You can see tiny little flakes on the left side.

This is the (coffin? tomb? shrine? grave?) resting place of President James Monroe

Dad reading the markers for Jefferson Davis.

There are probably hundreds of celtic crosses dotting the cemetery and could inspire one to do an entire post of them. I was not on the hunt for them specifically, but did snap a couple.

Japanese writing is so beautiful.

Loved this pop of red!

After the cemetery, we drove around Church Hill a bit and ended up driving through Chimborazo Park. In it, we discovered a miniature replica of the Statue of Liberty! With a bird perched on it, of course.

We had a ton of fun driving around, snapping pictures and reading some very interesting headstones and grave markers. The below was the first one we really took notice of and I think was our favorite. Not much else to add to that. Other than Happy Birthday Dad, and maaannnny moooooooore!

Best of Richmond 2

November 1, 2013 by anyonecantakeapicture

If this were happening in California, I would blame (or thank) the smog for these colors, but I’m pretty sure we don’t have smog here in Virginia. I can’t explain all of the BEAUTIFUL sunsets we’ve been having recently. I happened to be leaving Target tonight when the sunset took form. I turned around, parked back in the lot and snapped these. Thanks again Richmond, you’re doing a fantastic job at being gorgeous!