Monet's Bridge at Giverny

In the Waterlily Gardens at Gibbs Gardens' in Ball Ground, Georgia, sits an exact replica of Monet's Bridge at Giverny. You know the one. That famous bridge he painted in watercolor and no doubt hundreds, if not thousands, of copies have been made.

How does one do justice in an attempt to photograph such beauty. After several exposures in one setting, I moved about the pond attempting to take different perspectives. Yet as I culled through my archive, I realized my initial perspective was the best. I especially like the tree in the far left background. I also like the hint of Fall in the tree behind the bridge. It added just the right depth and dimension.

James Gibbs, the architect of this beautiful landscape, delighted in the original Monet's Bridge in the Gardens at Giverny that he decided to replicate it in his own gardens. The bridge, with its steel beams, rails and arbor, was measured and reproduced with the same radius. The island was built over the pond to support the span of the bridge. Gibbs also chose Monet's same color choice. The bridge's Wisteria vines drape over the side of the arbors casting dramatic shadows on the water throughout the day. What a setting and such a peaceful one. I hope you enjoyed my perspective. ENJOY!

Linking to Our World Tuesday

European White Waterlily

The star of the show. That is the only way I could describe this beautiful European White Waterlily as it sat afloat on the pond's surface with it's huge green Lily pads surrounding it. The reflection in the water was almost as beautiful as the Lily itself. Amazingly, every photographer around was at some point standing post with their tripod near the water's edge capturing image after image. Hence, the 'star' of the show.

I don't know what my favorite Waterlily would be should I choose one from all of the images I captured on my journey to Gibbs Gardens. There were such gorgeous varieties everywhere. The blues and purples, however, were the most stunning. Warm colors always are, don't you agree. On another note this weekend is supposed to be stellar and I have decided to plan a trek to Cheekwood to take in their Mums display. The word on the street is they have a cottage made out of pumpkins and I surely must photograph it, not to mention the S

Linking to Foodie Friday & Everything Else

Dragonfly in Waterlily Gardens

Here's one of the many frequent visitors to the Waterlily Gardens. A beautiful Blue Dasher, as Steve would say at Shooting My Universe. Not everyone would, but I consider Steve to be one of the consummate Dragonfly photographers here in the States. Why? Well, he's photographed a few!

The Waterlilies were aplenty as I walked around the Waterlily Gardens at Gibbs. Such vivid color, such glorious shapes, such a beautiful setting. I simply must go back. I think I see a trip on the horizon in Spring, when the fields of Gibbs are covered in thousands of Daffodils, and the gardens are laden with every color Tulip one can conjure up in one's mind. Well, I am a tad under the weather so I haven't left comments this week, but I sure did check out everyone's beautiful posts and they were just that, beautiful. I hope you enjoyed my walk in the Waterlily Gardens, and the beautiful specimen I chose to feature today, as much as I enjoyed sharing it. ENJOY!

Linking to Foodie Friday & 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