I usually don't bother with resolutions for the new year because they usually don't last very long. However, if I go back to Zoo Lights next year, I will take a tripod to get better pictures of the dramatically lit foliage. That's a resolution , right?
Usually when thinking of zoos, great gardens don't spring to mind but the Point Defiance Zoo has delicious gardens on their grounds! I once had the pleasure of meeting the head gardener from Point Defiance when he was shopping at Jungle Fever Exotics, just up the street. Are those aloes, agaves, and yuccas?
This reminded me a little of Shirley's beautiful blue agave.
I finally couldn't stand it any longer, turned on the flash and started pointing the camera in the direction of shapes that looked interesting.
There were so many palms that I lost count!
By the time I found this echium, my second resolution became clear: I WILL revisit the zoo during the day when the holiday event is over. While they have some adorable newborn tigers that everyone is talking about, and lots of other fascinating animals, I'll be more interested in the plants.
Trachycarpus fortunei drupes looking quite lovely!
I'm looking forward to revisiting this place in 2013. Finally, a resolution I can keep!
Hope you have a healthy, happy, and prosperous 2013!
The foliage at night makes great patterns. Might be fun to see how they get those lights out of the opuntia.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link!
Enjoyed seeing all these lights so much I resolve to add more next year. I'm looking for ideas on how to light the palms.
I'm just glad that I don't have to take the lights out of the spiky areas.
DeleteOh that's simple, hold your hand up to a light bulb and voila, lighted palms. (Sorry, I've the mind of a 13 year old boy and couldn't resist.) The uplighting in one color while somehow side lighting with another was very effective on the palms at Zoo Lights.
Funnneeee!
DeleteI've been thinking of uplighting the palms anyway so might move that up on the list.
Those are some pretty cool pictures! I can't wait to see what they look like during the day. Thanks for sharing all your adventures with us. Happy new year!
ReplyDeleteIt's always a joy to have my blog friends along on my adventures! Thanks for keeping me company! Happy new year to you too.
DeleteUhm...maybe I need to plan a trip to the Zoo too! I never have been to Pt Defiance Park.
ReplyDeleteHadn't seen the gardens in several years but could tell by what the gardener there was talking about having bought at Cistus and was buying at Jungle Fever that it was getting better all the time. The park and zoo are great & you should visit when you have a chance!
DeletePalms and agaves oh my!!!!! I love it! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteLots of palms, fewer agaves. Made me think of you.
DeleteHave you figured out how to distinguish species of palms? While in South Carolina I learned to tell palmettos and dwarf palmettos, the rest I haven't learned to tell apart.
ReplyDeleteOh, this is fairly easy in the Pacific Northwest: If it's alive and outside it's most likely Trachycarpus Fortunei (single trunk) or Chamaerops Humilis (multi trunk.) If it's alive and outside but doesn't last for many years because it can't handle the cold/rain combination, it' Washingtonia robusta. If it's outside and alive but looks like hell because it gets damaged by the cold every winter and doesn't regain its good looks until summer, it's Butia capitata. The end. If it's an indoor/tropical palm, I've no clue.
DeleteWere you getting some strange looks as you pointed your camera at the plants instead of the lights?
ReplyDeleteOne of the nice things about being of a certain age is not caring so much what other people think. This works out well when people stare at one's "odd" behavior. To help people feel more at ease, it's helpful to start speaking a dead language like latin. "Wow, look at all the Trachycarpus fortunei! Is that an Opuntia over there by the Echium candicans?" I narrowly escaped the guys with the white coats and nets.
DeleteLOL! I'm going to have to plan a trip there too this spring/summer. I had no idea the gardens there were so interesting. Thanks for deciding to turn on your flash.
ReplyDeleteAt one point, I started laughing at myself as I became increasingly excited about the plants I saw everywhere. Some of them were situated in such dark areas that I couldn't distinguish them from the background in the camera's viewfinder so I just pushed the shutter release and hoped.
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