Let there be light!

On Wednesday we went to Longwood Gardens to see "Light: Installations by Bruce Munro". Let me tell you, we were not disappointed! I loved it so much, I have to go back. It was a very moving, enchanting and fairy tale experience. I'm afraid my photos will not do it justice!

We hot the water towers in the meadow a little early. they played really beautiful music from all around the world and the lights slowly changed colors. As it got darker you could see the colors better but they were still neat unlit too. 

Walking through the meadow, over the boardwalk to the forest. The path was lit with lanterns.

Over 20,000 fiber optic lights lit the path in the forest walk. 

It was absolutely breathtaking. Photos will never do this part justice. 

Inside the main conservatory were more of Munro's installations and some smaller pieces including the one below.

Longwood even put on their main fountain display which I've never seen before. 

And all the buildings (this is the P. duPont house) were beautifully lit. 

“You have to find what sparks a light in you so that you in your own way can illuminate the world.” 
― Oprah Winfrey

Garden Paradise

Longwood Gardens is the best place to chase away the winter doldrums...

(more on my Longwood Flickr set)

Coral Pea above, a tiny flower from a carnivorous plant below.

A type of beautiful kalanchoe above, lily below. 

(I used my new  macro lens, can you tell:)

A colorful, tropical Aechmea above, several types of orchids below...

Love these pretty salmon and pink primrose below. They had them mixed with a yellow Marguerite daisy and daffodils. Spring bliss!

"I decided that if I could paint that flower in a huge scale, you could not ignore its beauty."

Georgia O'Keeffe

Canada geese enjoying the sunny day on the lake. 

Owl update. Saw the pair over the weekend, they look happy and healthy.

 Even managed to get a few good photos.

More Longwood

A few more photos from our Monday trip to Longwood Gardens. 

It was in the 60's outside and we were able to walk around without our coats. 

I loved how the winterberry bushes looked with the little spring house. I must get some of those!

My husband gave me my Christmas gift early, a Canon macro lens. It captured this oak leafed hydrangea beautifully. I must get one of those shrubs too, the foliage is amazing this time of year when everything else is just brown.

We went around the lake and said hello to the geese. 

Next we headed out to the meadow, one of my favorite spots that is often overlooked.

I think this next photo looks like Andrew Wyeth would have painted it, it was practically in his backyard.

I think this is my favorite shot of the day...

Trees lit near the Peirce DuPont house. Not dark yet but still pretty. 

Inside the house the trees looked so beautiful. 

You can ALWAYS find Belin in the house. Not a bad life being a cat at Longwood Gardens!

After dinner we went into the main conservatory. Even though it was members only day, it was still crowded and I had a hard time getting the perfect shot.

See my last post, Gingerbread Fantasy, for more inside the main conservatory. 

The macro lens made the backround light bokeh look quite magical

By the time we were finished, it was dark outside so we could enjoy the amazing display.

Very hard to capture how beautiful it is in photos. You just have to see for yourself!

We could see the crescent moon everywhere we went.

This video was from last year but it gives you an idea of how beautiful the lights are. 

Gingerbread Fantasy

The theme this year at Longwood Gardens for Christmas is Gingerbread.

I believe they have been making it for months to prepare. In every room and on every tree you'll find a little gingerbread man, leaf or flower. 

The main display was the Pierce DuPont House and conservatory recreated in gingerbread. It was really amazing to see. There were also larger than life gingerbread trees and a huge rotating Christmas tree covered in gingerbread garlands and whimsical, candy colored ornaments. You can see they filled the shelves with enormous jars of candy to complete the fantasy. 

In the kitchen of the Pierce DuPont House. 

I love the metal tree frame with the cookies hanging from it. 

This large vine wreath was hanging from the skylight with cookies dangling down.

A little gingerbread leaf is tucked in a tree. 

Watch a video on the gingerbread display...