Spring flowers at Desert Botanical Garden come in waves. It all starts with the wildflowers and when it gets too hot for them the cactus flowers may have started to bloom. if you are lucky, and we were, the butterfly exhibit is open. You might even spot a cactus wren gathering nesting materials. These flowers are the result of multiple trips, each time bringing some new discoveries. We hope you enjoy them.
The Chihuly Gallery at Desert Botanical Gardens
An important part of the Chihuly Exhibit at Desert Botanical Gardens this year was held in an indoor ‘Gallery’. There were four rooms and each one contained exquisite blown glass that simply awed each observer as they walked through. I have chosen to group the photographs so that you can ‘walk around’ and when possible get up close to this incredible artwork. Lighting was a challenge for photographers and reflections played havoc with some images. You will also notice differences in processing the images, each photographer editing them to reflect either how they saw the image or how they felt best reflected the gorgeous glass. Enjoy the tour.
Chihuly at Desert Botanical Gardens
Chihuly in the Desert is a special exhibition at Desert Botanical Gardens. Among the thousands of visitors it attracts were several of us who visited the Gardens a number of different days and times, including one evening trip that also included Noches de Luminarias. We share multiple photographs of each exhibit so that you get a broader idea of how different these individual pieces of art look from varying perspectives, weather, editing styles and attention to detail.
There is an inside component to the exhibition and that will be covered in an upcoming blog post.
This is the Fiori Boat which is spotted just as soon as you enter the Gardens. it is a spectacular piece of art whose vibrant colors pop from the otherwise more subdued desert.
Waiting for early morning shadows to fall back away from the boat.
Maybe a bit of flash can pop this boat away from stormy skies.
The detail is exquisite and makes each piece stand out from the chaotic glass crowd around it.
This collection is called Blue Birch Reeds and Scorpion Tails.
Detail showing a scorpion tail.
This is the Opal and Amber Tower located in the area of wildflowers.
So pretty at night!
Detail!
Lime and Lava Red Tower at night.
Detail at the top of the Tower.
We advise photographers to walk around a scene to get a different viewpoint. That is not always possible, especially in displays that are roped off. Somehow, Tom managed to get enough behind the Tower to get the blooming Palo Verde Trees in the background.
Neodymium Reeds give us another chance to see a different perspective, this time with the McDowell Mountain in the background.
Detail.
This detail shows the layering of colors which gives these pieces so much depth when viewed from the path.
This display is entitled, Red Reeds.
Red Reeds at night.
With warmer dusk lighting.
Popping with a bit of help from a flash. I believe Steve is the only one with a flash powerful enough to get this scene!
These are Desert Fiori.
Framing color with plants makes the Fiori look like a smaller picture!
Detail.
This is the Aqua Blue and Amber Chandelier. It was a ‘toughie’ to photograph!
Top detail. Just have to l love it when a nice sky shows up.
Close up detail. I am really fond of this piece of art.
These are called Sonoran Neon. During the day they were quite boring but at night they looked like fireworks frozen in time.
These are Paintbrushes. The collection was kind of hidden from the commonly walked path.
This Chihuly art arrangement is on permanent display at the entrance of Desert Botanical Gardens. I always smile as I pass by, remembering past Chihuly special exhibitions at the Gardens.
These two images is what happens when you are retired and have too much time on your hands! It occurred to me that some of the images might be fun to play around with black and white conversions.
Thanks for joining us on our photo-trip. Up next is the Chihuly glassworks that were housed in the Gallery. Oh my goodness, there were some fascinating pieces in there. Stay tuned.