Marilyn Botta Photography

Pine Cones

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Where I live, there are many pine trees. I always see the standard pine cones all over the grass and wooded areas, but I never knew what they look like before they mature. I was out walking when I noticed these interesting growths on the pine trees and I wasn’t sure what they were. They were skinny and some very long, so I did a search and found out that these interesting yellow and green cylindrical growths were indeed baby pine cones. I came back with my camera and macro lens and took many shots. The wind was whipping the tree around but I managed to get a few good images.

Since the hurricane in September in Augusta, GA, there are so many downed pine trees. These have mature pine cones–the kind I am familiar with. The second picture is a macro shot of one of these beauties.

 

Crepe Myrtle Buds

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I came out last Sunday to go walking and I just couldn’t resist going back into the house and getting my camera which already had a macro lens. It had rained the night before, so the buds were so new and sparkling, ready to become blooms. It was a beautiful morning and the sun was just beginning to shine through the foliage. The bright natural light enhances the the vibrant color and detail of the buds.

Raindrop on Flower

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As I was leaving to go walking on Sunday morning, I noticed raindrops on my Crepe Myrtle tree. I knew it rained Saturday night so I thought there may be some pretty droplets on the delicate flowers. I just so happened to have a camera with a macro lens upstairs luckily. So I went back in and grabbed it, came out and started shooting. It was so hot and steamy that morning that my lens was getting fogged up. But I kept wiping it off with my cloth and managed to actually see what I was photographing. The background is softly blurred in shades of pink and green which highlight the beautiful droplet on the flower.

Sunlit Bridge at Phinizy Swamp

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I visited Phinizy Swamp in Augusta, GA, last week. It is a beautiful nature preserve and wetlands. Although it is very lush in the Summer, I still managed to find some gorgeous scenery. It is so peaceful and tranquil along the footbridge, where Spanish moss and lush green trees grow on either side of the bridge. The blue sky was a lovely contrast to the green foliage. The sunlight casts a pattern of shadows on the pathway, enhancing the natural serenity of the scene.

 

Phinizy Swamp in Summer

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The other day I went out to Phinizy Swamp, a beautiful nature preserve in Augusta, GA. I hadn’t been there in years but it didn’t disappoint, although it was very overgrown, as it is in the Summer. Once the cooler weather hits, it is much more beautiful and nuanced regarding the different colors. Things that were covered up in the Summer stand out because they are not impeded by the overgrowth. I still managed to get a few good shots showing just how lovely and peaceful it is there. If you’re a nature photographer this is the absolute best.

Bridge at Brick Pond Park

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I always love how peaceful Brick Pond Park is. Last week I went there and just marveled at how serene and almost otherworldly it can be at times. There can be many views of this lovely covered bridge sitting in the middle of the lake, but I walked around and found a spot between the trees, where I could photograph it. The mirror-like reflections make the lake look like glass. This scene evokes serenity to me, which is hard to find in this strange world we live in.

Deana in NJ

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In June 2023 I went on a trip to NJ to see family (son, grandkids) and I met my son’s friend, Deana. She was gracious enough to let me take some photos of her outside. I think they reflect her sunny disposition and her beauty. I used a fill flash that I had built into the camera which worked very well to eliminate shadows in her face.