Lilies in Shadow

Lilies at Chicago Botanic Garden

Lilies in Shadow © 2010 Bo Mackison

Most of the lilies at the Chicago Botanic Gardens are front and center in the main garden, framed in multiple square ponds, and offset by summery plantings. There are  purple water lilies, pink ones, blue ones, even bright magenta water lilies. But I found these lilies on a lesser traveled path, up and beyond the conifer plantings. Not many people wander this far off the main paths.

These lilies offer a different feel compared to their brightly lit cousins. I love these pale lilies, quietly dressed in shadowy reflections. My favorite of all the lilies I photographed that day.

Water Lilies

Water Lilies at the Chicago Botanic Gardens

Water Lilies © 2010 Bo Mackison

There is a new article in my series,  Memoir Space, now up on The Calm Space, an online magazine published by Karen Wallace.

In the article, I share an excerpt of a letter I wrote to a special woman in my life, and show how easy it is to write a bit of your life story. It’s as easy as writing a letter – yes, a handwritten letter! – and including it in a special occasion card. Go ahead. Take a minute and read  Spreading Happiness by Sharing Memories.

The water lilies were photographed at Chicago Botanic Garden. I’ve been working with desaturated photographs, and in this photo, I left only a hint of the original color, while keeping the emphasis on the two sunlit lilies.

Hope you enjoy both the article and the lilies.

Pink Lilies

Pink Lilies at Garden Center

Pink Lilies © 2010 Bo Mackison

Since my garden isn’t quite at the blooming stage, I like to visit my local garden center, a locally owned piece of paradise. No matter what color I have a hankering for, I’m sure to find it there.

Pink isn’t a color I seek out with much regularity, but this huge bunch of lilies caught my attention, and kept it long enough that I had to take a few photographs. Beautiful, hmm?