48 Comments
User's avatar
Erica A. Wheadon's avatar

All of my favourite things in one post! Flowers, shadows and monochrome! ♡ Congrats on the 3rd anniversary - you were one of the first people I found here and I'm so glad I stayed. xx

Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you for your kind words, Erica! I am so grateful you've stayed. People like you are the reason why I keep going. ♡

Todd Haughton's avatar

Congratulations on 3 years, Susanne! Publishing on a regular basis quite a commitment and I really appreciate the care you put into your posts.

Susanne Helmert's avatar

I know it is crazy, that I already do these journals for so long. A big part that keeps me sharing are people like you, who appreciate and enjoy them. That being said, thank you for being here!

Framing-the-Story's avatar

Beautiful!

Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thanks so much, Alex!

Mark White's avatar

The leaf and the hose especially! 🌹

Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you, Mark! I don’t know what it is about the hose, but I love that photo, too!

Beth L. Gainer's avatar

Hi Susanne,

I absolutely adore your photography! I recently became a member of my local botanical garden, and it sure provides respite from the daily struggles. As a member, I can arrive two hours before others arrive, and I'm looking forward to bringing my watercolor paints in the quiet, serene area that has fewer people.

Susanne Helmert's avatar

Oh, that sounds wonderful. The morning light can be so special. Enjoy your excursions!

And thank you for your lovely words about my work! 🙏🏻

Juliette Mansour's avatar

These are so beautiful, Susanne!! I adore them all, especially the shadowy ones. I also avoided the botanical gardens last weekend for the same reason. It's disgustingly hot here... Congratulations on your anniversary!! I'm so glad you are still here!

Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you, Juliette! It has gotten cooler here at the moment, which I am grateful for. The older I get, the lesser I can stand the heat. I hope you get a break from it, too!

Also, thank you for being here!

Juliette Mansour's avatar

I’m so glad. It’s so hot here, it’s ridiculous!!

Susanne Helmert's avatar

I am sorry to hear this! Hang in there❤️

Marian Goldsmith's avatar

What a lovely walk. I don't know how you do it. Seeing these pictures just left me with a contented sigh. A great way to start my day too.

Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you, Marian! It makes me happy to know you’ve enjoyed the walk!

Lee Anne White's avatar

These are lovely, Susanne. The light filtering through the trees, casting interesting shadows on the ground. The vines. The tools. All wonderful!

Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you, Lee Anne! I am glad you enjoyed these!

Tom Schroder's avatar

Great images, Susanne. I love the tool/equipment shots - especially the last, with the boots. Happy anniversary and thank you for all you do for the community.

Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank YOU, Tom, for being here and commenting. I really appreciate it. And yes, the boots were quite amusing!

Ralph Turner's avatar

I'm so glad these images didn't stay hidden away. A wonderful set, Susanne. All the light and shadow play is superb. The image of the vine growing up the tree is particularly beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

Congratulations on your third anniversary on here, too! 😃

Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thanks so much, Ralph! I am glad you enjoyed the photos. I still can't believe I kept on during this for so long! But it is a great and fun exercise and people seem to enjoy the journals! =)

Lin Gregory's avatar

Congratulations on your 3rd Anniversary Susanne - and you've shared a great series of images to celebrate. I love the way you've captured the spirit of the garden at that time of day with all the gardeners equipment and the lovely light - I really like the image of the tree with the vine growing up it, lovely textures.

These botanical gardens are lovely to visit in the quiet of the morning - I used to volunteer at Sissinghurst in Kent, helping on a photography conservation project there, but it gave me the opportunity to see the gardens in all their glory in the morning before visitors were admitted. The peace, the fragrance of the gardens in summer and the sense of history and memory all seemed to be so much more intense at that time.

Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you, Lin! After Ben died, and I started to visit the garden, I thought about volunteering there. But then Fibi moved in and well you know how the story goes... ;-)

When I visit the park in the morning and see all the gardeners doing their job, I feel a bit like I am invited behind the stage. On the weekends, it feels different to be there. Then I am part of the audience.

Stephen Moore's avatar

I really enjoyed your words and the fascinating pictures.

Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you, Stephen. This is so good to hear!

Emma Mach's avatar

The gardeners' tools, I love that you noticed them. The details that weren't meant to be seen often become the whole story.

Susanne Helmert's avatar

Exactly! Since I am too shy to actually photograph the gardeners, this is my way of including them. I find it much more interesting this way then just sharing all the plants and flowers. I am glad you like them. Thank you for your comment.

Mumbai || Paused's avatar

Beautiful!!!!

Donn Dobkin's avatar

I especially like the hose!

Susanne Helmert's avatar

Ha! Me too. =)

Kim Kuchar's avatar

Lovely walk down the garden path!

Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you, Kim!