US National Arboretum – Post 2
Yesterday’s article gave you the what’s and where’s of the US National Arboretum. Today I’ll give a little more personal view of the arboretum and what to expect during your visit.
This was our second visit to the arboretum, the first this year. We picked a wonderful sunny day to visit. I brought my Canon XS with my 28-135 f/3.5-5.6 lens and gave it quite a workout. At the arboretum you can expect to find all types of environments from bright sun to shade to even some exhibits inside with poor lighting. The subjects available to you span the spectrum as well, including landscapes, macros and portraits. The 28-135 excelled that day and proved itself as my choice for a walkaround lens.
One of the most photographed subjects at the arboretum are the National Capital Columns (see image above). Standing around 30 feet tall (that’s my estimate), they stand out as single subject up close or as a background from far away. The column display includes a reflecting pool that is fed by a small rivulet originates from the center of the display. A popular attraction for children as they run barefoot through the stream.
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At the visitor center there is a large lily pond surrounding the building. You can always find throngs of children here feeding the colorful carp that live there. We even found a curious dog that looked like he wanted to join the carp in the water.
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Also near the visitor center is a Japanese Cultural Center that boasts a very large collection of bonsai trees. There is one that was first planted in 1625. I’m amazed everytime I think about that tree. Someone has taken care of it for almost 400 years.
Across the street sits a garden with a fountain, vined trellis, and a large collection of flowers. Tulips were in bloom for our visit and provided very colorful images. The flowers here provide a good opportunity to get your macro on. This garden is located near center of the arboretum so you can always find people there enjoying the shade while taking a break from the walking. Speaking of walking, you can expect that in abundance. I’d recommend you wear comfortable shoes and bring water.
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If you’re looking for a place to challenge your photography skills and provide a variety of subjects, the US National Arboretum is for you. I’d love to hear if you’ve experienced this attraction or if you plan to.
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