Yesterday, I just wrapped up a huge project for work. (Just imagine pouring over 150 pages of single spaced text for the past few weeks and you’ll get the idea.) After days of working at my desk, I needed to go out and clear my mind. So, I took up guest editor Shane Francescut’s photo challenge this week to explore a place from a variety of angles. Where did I go? The new Japanese Gardens at the Frederick Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids. The gardens opened earlier this summer and they are stunningly beautiful. The project, which cost $23 million, took several years. The result is an 8-acre garden with a Japanese tea house, ponds, waterfalls, and winding paths. The garden also features pieces of sculpture that blend with or highlight the natural beauty of the surroundings.
Images #1 and 2:
As you can see in these first two shots, every detail adds to the impression that you have been transported to Japan.
Japanese Maple with Crosshatch Filter. Shot with a Canon 70D.
Japanese Lantern Guarding the Entrance. Shot with a Canon 70D.
Image #3: Some of the plants are native to Japan. I had never seen such a gorgeous flowering bush like this before.
Blooming Pink Bush. Japanese Gardens. Shot with a Canon 70D.
Image #4. Every where I turned, I saw something beautiful. I took this shot looking down at the water lillies in the pond.
Water Lillies in Meier Gardens. Shot with a Canon 70D.
Image #5. The guard said that staff rake the rock garden once a week. As they work, they say that they feel a wonderful calmness.
The Serenity Garden in Meijer Gardens. Shot with a Canon 70D.
Image #6. Some of the bonsai are decades old. This tree is relatively young–around 15.
Image # 7: The Japanese tea house is open several times a year for demonstrations of the tea ceremony.
Japanese Tea House. Meijer Gardens. Shot with a Canon 70D.
Image #8: The Philosopher’s Steps are appropriately named. As I climbed the winding path, I was struck by its simple yet intricate design.
The Philosopher’s Steps. Japanese Gardens at Meijer Gardens. Shot with a Canon 70D.
Image #9. I saved my favorite for last. Some of you may remember this sculpture from an earlier post. This time I took a close up of the “Long Island Buddha” by Zhang Huan.
Thanks for joining me on my walk through the gardens. For more information on their location and other features, click here. If you’re ever in Grand Rapids, I hope you stop by and visit. You won’t be disappointed.
Technical Note:
All the shots in this post were taken with a Canon 70 D with a 17 to 70mm Sigma lens. They were processed in Photoshop.
Are any of you waiting until the end of the summer, to take some time off? If so, what are you going to do? I’m going to the beach. 🙂 Whatever you do, enjoy!
Categories: Photography
P.A. Moed 
🙂 Oh, I like this! It’s colorful, it’s peaceful and shot from every angle 🙂
Have a very HAPPY week 🙂
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You too, Happyface. I hope you have a great week. Not that my big deadline has been met, I am taking a deep breath (or two). Thanks for your kind words about my shots. I appreciate it.
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Great Shots. I love the last one too, though the one of the corner of the lantern might be my favorite. The pink flowering bush is a lace-cap hydrangea.
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Hi Marie. Oh, thanks so much for the name of the bush! I was hoping one of my blogger friends would know the name of it! And thanks too for the compliments. 🙂
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Beautiful Japanese garden. I love how you took these photos, get down and get close. 🙂 PS process looks very nature.
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Hi Amy. Thanks! I realize I didn’t completely follow Shane’s directions, but I had fun getting close to the objects and shooting them from different angles. I’m experimenting some more this weekend. Are you doing some photography this weekend too or do you have other plans?
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Thanks for the tour and your interpretations of the gardens.
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You’re very welcome, Sally! I hope you enjoyed it. Are you still basking in the summer weather where you are?
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I love Japanese gardens, everything you photographed here is really nice, and the Buddha’s head is really dramatic!
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I love that Buddha!! Thanks for sharing your impressions. Have you been to the Morikami Museum in Boca Raton? It’s a great spot in Florida.
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No, but I’m really interested in the east coast of FL, thanks for telling me.
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There is a Japanese garden at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, but it’s nowhere near as lovely as this one. I like the many different textures in the lanscaping. There seems to be a surprise around every corner. 🙂
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Hi Jackie. I’ve been to that one. It’s smaller, but definitely beautiful too. Hope you have a great holiday weekend.
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Wonderful series of shots, Patti. Looks like a perfect spot to unwind.
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thank you for the stroll through such beauty!
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So glad you liked it, Dune Mouse!
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What a beautiful garden Patti. I’m sure you would have had a relaxing and a peaceful time there. 🙂
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Hi Norma. It was a great break from my work and got my mind ready to turn to my creative projects! Is that what you do too? Or, do you have another way to decompress after work?
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I love to be in nature – park or garden. But if that’s not possible I like to meditate and when not doing that I just go off to sleep.:D I also love to cook when my body is not too tired. I find it relaxing.
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Cooking is great. Very meditative if you’re in the mood for it and have the time to experiment.
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Nice, sounds like a good way to clear the mind after your work project.
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It was a great way to relax!
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I’m looking forward to revisiting the Gardens to see this new addition. Lovely pics!
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As you can see, it is gorgeous! Hope you can go soon.
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