Japanese Gardens, Gibbs Gardens, Kentucky Woman Series

Beautiful Gibbs Gardens, located just to the northeast of Atlanta, has to be one of the most architecturally beautiful botanical gardens I have ever seen. The Japanese Gardens, called Tsukiyama, is the largest Japanese garden in the nation encompassing some 40 acres. The ponds in this particular garden are all spring fed. But I think what really makes this garden are the reflections you find at every twist and turn along the garden path. Come take a walk with me . . .

As I meandered around both sides of the ponds that make up the Japanese Gardens, I couldn't help noticing just how meticulous every morsel of plant and stone and tree was planned and designed to create this breathtaking landscape. Mr. Gibbs my hat goes off to you. Yet, on the afternoon I visited with ample sunlight in tow, I couldn't help but realize one of the reasons for all the planning.

Can you see it, the reflections on the water are simply gorgeous. As I approached one setting after another, it wasn't enough to capture a portrait view, I had to capture a landscape too. Who knew what I would like more when I found myself miles away back home carefully sifting through the images.

Without a doubt, I recall spending an hour or more capturing photographs of the various settings as I walked the many paths and crossed over the ponds and walked around each one. It was an explosion to my senses.

As if the reflections on the water were not enough, I happened upon this scene with a Weeping Willow tree situated next to the largest pond. The foliage around the tree and the huge boulders sitting next to the water's edge was just gorgeous. Oh, how I love Weeping Willows.

Right when you think you can't take in another thing, you happen upon a Japanese lantern sitting idly on top of a large boulder with gorgeous twisted tree branches in the background.

Did you notice how the foreground is a treat to your eyes, but the background is so beautiful of the foliage across the pond on the other side. Tell me someone didn't spend hours planning this. What a genius!

Just to be absolutely certain I didn't miss a thing, I captured a landscape view of this setting.

I wanted to end this post right back where we began. Look at this gorgeous plant with those beautiful sculptures of Swans sitting atop it right in the middle of the largest pond in the Japanese Gardens. The Weeping Willows, the pagodas, the lanterns, the sculpture, oh my goodness, have you ever.

Now I ask you, have you ever seen such a gorgeous garden in your life. This was my first visit to a Japanese Garden, and it won't be my last. I can't even imagine what Gibbs must look like in early Spring and Fall. If you ever find yourself in Atlanta, take a quick drive up to Gibbs. It's virtually in the middle of nowhere in a tiny town called Ball Ground, just south of the north Georgia mountains. You could stay in one of the 'boros northeast of Atlanta and its a quick drive up. I hope you have enjoyed this installment of my Kentucky Woman Series. I simply had the most fun creating it for you. It was as though I had stepped back into the garden for a walk. 
Have a fabulous weekend. ENJOY MY FRIENDS!

Linking to Saturday's Critters and The Scoop

A Photo Story

Reflections, Japanese Gardens, Gibbs Gardens

I am a self taught photographer. I studied Adam Jones, a well known nature photographer here in the States, and James Archambeault, a well known Kentucky outdoor photographer, whose specialty is landscapes and historical settings. I practiced shooting the light using 35mm slide film. I was actually quite good at it to my amazement. When I switched to digital it was frightening. The best thing I did was purchase Adobe Lightroom. Lightroom brings out detail in the shadows which is one of its best features. I love detail and I especially love bold, rich color. It comes from working too many years in the advertising industry. However, I seldom tweak the color, yet at times I do tweak saturation.

I wished I could have captured a crystal clear reflection in this image, but Mother Nature was blowing wistful breezes that day at Gibbs Gardens. I was thankful for them as it was hot. I used my 200mm lens. I had stopped using it so much, but recently I have noticed I am switching back and forth from the 200 to 300mm. This is one of my favorite images from that outing. The contrast in the green foliage and trees is fantastic and the detail, I love it. I took three portraits of this setting, working more on landscape views. I didn't linger when I took the portraits, yet I did on the landscapes. Turns out I love the portrait setting best. Isn't it amazing how that happens.

I appreciate your comments from my trip to Gibbs Gardens and Old Car City, and again to Cheekwood. I do have another post on Old Car City I will share soon. Fall is upon us here in Tennessee. Have a great week. ENJOY!

Reflections, Japanese Gardens

The Japanese Gardens at Gibbs Gardens is one of the largest in the nation covering 40 acres with seven naturally spring-fed ponds. As you meander through this architectural wonderland, of large rocks and massive boulders, and cross over the bridges that take you from one magnificent landscape to the next, you feel as though you have found a small slice of paradise.

As a photographer I wasn't convinced any photographs I captured would do justice to this beautiful, serene landscape with its gorgeous foliage and draping Weeping Willow tree branches hanging over the large ponds.

Everywhere you turn your eye meets a new reflection in the water. The Japanese Pagodas, the Cherry Blossom trees, the Japanese Maples and the Weeping Willow trees surrounded by thick, lush foliage are like an explosion to your senses. One of my favorite images of these beautiful gardens surely is the Weeping Willow branches as they hang gracefully over the water.

Surely by now you know how much I love water, and the reflections at every turn of my walk, made my visit to Gibbs Gardens such an amazing experience. If you look closely, you can see the subtle changes from Summer to Fall taking shape as the greens give way to Fall colors. If you live near a botanical garden, visit this Fall and experience the riot of colors that Fall brings us. I hope you are enjoying my visit to Gibbs. The weather here is hot today, but cooler temps are on the horizon. Enjoy your weekend. ENJOY!

Linking to Foodie Friday and Everything Else

Japanese Gardens, Gibbs Gardens

After moving to Nashville last year, I researched gardens, parks and wildlife refuges nearby so that I could visit these places throughout the seasons. I happened upon Gibbs Gardens, located in northern Georgia, in my research and after viewing their website knew I would have to visit. I had planned to spend this week photographing South Carolina's Low Country, but with hurricane weather dominating the forecast I decided to reschedule that trip for another time. Instead, I made the drive to visit Gibbs Gardens which as it happens sits at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.

Jim Gibbs is a world renowned landscape architect who designed this 292 acre world class residential garden some years back. It is said he spent six years looking for a suitable site with a strong water source and beautiful mature trees covering a rolling topography to fulfill his dream and create this magnificent garden setting. There are 16 gardens total with three main feature gardens. Gibbs personal residence sits high up on a hill overlooking several terrace gardens on the property. A tram ride will take you up to the 'Manor House' where you can sit on Gibbs own veranda and view the terrace gardens as they slope down the hillside. Gibbs Gardens is one of the nation’s largest residential estate gardens.

The first feature garden you approach as you start your walk throughout Gibbs is the Waterlily Garden which has a full size replica of Monet's Bridge situated next to one of the main ponds. The next feature garden is the Japanese Gardens which has an enormous abundance of trees, shrubs, flowers and Japanese sculptures featured throughout it. This sculpture of a pair of Swans sitting on an island in one of the larger ponds was so stunning and, of course, you know I couldn't resist capturing a few images. The reflections of the foliage in the water caught my eye even before I saw the Swans standing on the island.

I can't begin to imagine this garden in Fall with its red Japanese Maple trees and yellow and orange shrubs and bushes. It surely must look like it's on fire. There is a photo of it on the website you might want to peak at. Our weather is slightly cooler, but 90's keep creeping back in. However, nothing like the 95 and 100 degree heat and 110 heat indices like we had in July. Fall is around the corner and it is beginning to feel like it. I can hardly wait. ENJOY!

Linking to Rattlebridge Farms and Our World Tuesday