Another wonderful Sonoma County Photography Group excursion this past week. Remy and I, co-founders of our photography group (it free to join!), headed out to “Quarryhill Botanical Gardens” in Glen Ellen, California.
We took photos of all kinds of Asian botanicals. If you live in Northern California go visit this wondrous place. If are planning a trip to this area this is a must to visit. A leisurely walk through the gardens is a great opportunity to relax and unwind after a long day of wine tasting.
I shot this blossom hand held with Canons EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro USM lens as close to the stamens as I could get. Up close this lens offers only about a 1/8th inch depth of field, but the details in the 1/8th inch is phenomenal. If I had the chance to buy this lens I would but next time I would get it with image stabilization.
I believe the below flower is a “Rhododendron japonicum”. This shot was my favorite of the macro photos from that day. Please enjoy.

Camera specs: Canon 1-Ds Mark II with Canons EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro USM lens @ 100mm, 1/250 sec at f/2.8, ISO 100, Aperture priority, pattern metering mode