Imaginery Worlds, Atlanta Botanical Gardens

When opportunity knocks, don't let it slip between your fingers. I had traveled to Georgia to visit Gibbs Gardens. However, I realized the day prior that there was a wonderful exhibit at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens and it's last day was the day I was to visit Gibbs. So I took a chance and these images are witness to my unexpected stop at the gardens. Gorgeous plant sculptures were created for the gardens by a mosaic company out of Montreal. And these creatures, some 20 feet tall, were magnificent.

The Pegasus

The Peacock in the Conservatory

The Peacock in the Conservatory

The Phoenix in the Japanese Gardens

The Phoenix in the Japanese Gardens

The Dragon in the Great Lawn

The Dragon in the Great Lawn

The Mermaid in the Great Lawn

The Camels in the Rock Garden

The Camels in the Rock Garden

The Sleeping Princess in the Cascades Garden

The Wholly Mammoth in the Kendeda Canopy Walk

My favorite images are probably those taken later in the day when the harsh early afternoon light had faded into the blue hour. My favorite of all of the sculptures would be the Dragon and the Pegasus. The Phoenix is the one image that I captured in early afternoon and late afternoon light, and no doubt, you can see the difference.

I loved walking around the botanical gardens for the first time, but would pick a less busy day. The day I visited was the last day of the Imaginary Worlds exhibit and tons of visitors came to see it before it embarked on a journey elsewhere. Fall is upon us here in full swing in Middle Tennessee. Wherever you are I hope you are enjoying this weekend. ENJOY!

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