This is just off highway 39, north of Bloomington, Illinois. Driving from Rockford to St. Louis, I kept seeing these very scenic old barns and finally found one that was easy to get to. The scene is great but the clouds make the photo!
Total Eclipse
Two years ago today we had a total eclipse of the sun in the St. Louis area. Therefore I thought it might be a good time to post this photo again.
This was taken in Desoto, Missouri where we had a full two minutes and 30 seconds of time to figure out how to photograph a total eclipse and get a good shot. There are two phases to this. The first phase is where you are photographing the bright sun using special filters, dark glasses and figuring out how to focus without looking. Phase two, the moon clicks into place and it is nighttime. Filters off, special glasses off, redo all of your setting and focus again on something you cannot see very well. I got a few good shots and missed a few.
To see photos of the event see: https://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Events/Eclipse/
Blue Dome
https://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Missouri-Botanical-Garden/i-ZRd5dcM/A
Missouri Botanical Garden’s Climatron always makes an interesting subject and this side path makes it look like it is on another planet. The Climatron is a greenhouse enclosed in a geodesic dome that is part of the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis. Initiated by then Garden director Frits W. Went, the dome is the world’s first completely air-conditioned greenhouse and the first geodesic dome to be enclosed in rigid Plexiglass panels.
During the Missouri Botanical Garden’s special events, the Climatron is always well lit in an interesting color. Be sure to click on the photo and wait for 15 seconds fo a larger version and other options.
On the Lily Pond
https://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Missouri-Botanical-Garden/i-x4k6Q2J/A
From Missouri Botanical Garden’s Lantern Festival. One of the many amazing events hosted by the Garden.
Burning Tree
https://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Missouri-Botanical-Garden/i-h4DXF8B/A
No, this tree is not on fire! Even though it looks like it is about to explode, this is part of the laser light show projection. Watching this you will see the “fire” engulf the tree and then other patterns will appear and suddenly vanish. In the end, it is just the tree standing there as it has done for many years.
The previous photo has a video showing the transitions.
To enlarge this photo or to see more options, click on the photo and wait about 15 seconds.
Exploring the Universe
https://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Missouri-Botanical-Garden/i-qg6LJBn/A
A projected laser image from the Flora Borealis event at the Missouri Botanical Garden. This was part of a ten minute light and sound show projected onto Henry Shaw’s home.
The video below shows more of the displays. Many of these have been depicted here.
Click on the photo for a larger image and more information.
Gateway to Flora
https://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Missouri-Botanical-Garden/i-zjp48Cz/A
A fun display at Missouri Botanical Garden’s Flora Borealis. This event featured amazing laser light shows combined with interesting recordings and sounds. Visitors could trek through the grounds and experience the sights and sounds.
See these photos and more: https://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Missouri-Botanical-Garden/
Flora Borealis
https://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Missouri-Botanical-Garden/i-GmkbqxT/A
This is part of an interesting event at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis called Flora Borealis. The “Garden” installed laser light shows along their winding paths and added speakers for a sound experience along the paths.
This is a flower projected onto the side of an old home on the grounds. It is actually part of a video where you watch the flower open and then merge into something else. The laser projection is so good that you cannot tell what is real and what is not.
This looks like daylight but this was take at night. I will post a few more of these over the next few days.
Cold Night on Beale
Beale Street in Memphis. Home of BB King’s Blues Club, Tater Red’s Lucky Mojos, Pork with an attitude and much more! This was a cold night in February so not very crowded.
This was a single shot photo taken at a high ISO. Great street to photograph with all of the neon signs.
Watching Dogs
It looks like this could be a scene in the Overlook Hotel in The Shining. However, this is a better known hotel in Memphis. This is the lobby of the famous Peabody Hotel. On the right is Elvis’ tailor and on the left is where the famous ducks swim in the fountain. This hallway is where the ducks march to catch the elevator to their penthouse suite.
Perhaps these dogs are waiting for them….
Great Rivers Imaging 