Blue Skies at the Oregon Garden

Friday's visit to the Oregon Garden in Silverton, Oregon, offered an excellent opportunity for outdoor photography practice.

It was very hot in the garden because there are miles of concrete roads through the 80-acre botanical garden and the sun really reflects off the concrete. Additionally, there are limited areas of shade. If you go on a sunny day, be sure to take plenty of water, and plenty of change in your wallet for the periodic pop/water machine that you will find along the way (because you will need more water than you brought.) Also recommended are a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a good pair of walking shoes.

A great way to get around the whole garden and to hear about the garden's various sections is to take the free tram around the grounds. You can get off the tram at any one of five stops and wander for a while on your own.

Here are some of my favorite photos from our visit:

cedar tops in the conifer garden,

lupin along the road through the wetlands,

wisteria in a roadside room,

bleeding hearts,

a patch of calla lilies,

and a pair of water lilies.