From this scene, it looks like a tropical, humid summer with vibrant plants and overcast slash rainy skies.
The reality is more like winter...but still just as magnificent when you watch the contrast of nature and city vibes come alive from this garden.
There's nothing cooler (literally) than a surprising storm in the summer right during sunset. Dark clouds form on one side while the sun sets by the lake, creating a breathtaking scene with clear, striking contrast.
Postcard-perfect skies appear, ready for me to capture (and savor) the views of the Toronto skyline and Lake Ontario.
From Toronto Island Park, you get a full panoramic view of all the skyscrapers in the city. Fresh, earthy green leaves and grass bring extra serenity and contentment to the scene.
Tidal Basin Part IV: I was amazed by all the captivating photos of sakura cherry blossom flowers at twilight at Meguro River in Tokyo and wanted to create my own version.
I tweaked this photo from Washington DC, altering the hues and saturation, giving it a bright pink effect to showcase the flowers' sharp yet delicate colors and the eye-catching lights before darkness consumed the scene.
Featured in Flickr's Explore.
Filoli Gardens Part III: The autumn season doesn't make an appearance until winter in California. With the holiday lights and decorations added to the mix, the gardens come alive. An array of rustic colors create a marvelous scenery for us to behold.
The Myriad Botanical Garden is everything you would dream of. Tranquil, tropical, and filled with all of nature's surprises.
Unique plants are tucked into every corner of the conservatory with picturesque staircases throughout. I decided to manipulate this photo by duplicating the stairwell, adding sun flare effects and lightening the tones for a magical twist.
One set of palm trees sitting right by the beach at twilight.
After cloning then reversing the image to create a mirror effect, I altered the skies with contrasting hues and vertical striped lines.
Filoli Gardens Part II: A new season, autumn, has begun.
As the leaves shift in color and shed their layers, it's a reminder that life is full of changes and surprises. It's never too late to rewrite a fresh chapter towards the end of the year.
Memorial Park Part II: As we near sunset, the clouds begin to have that yellow golden glow, offering up some extra saturation into the otherwise grey, mostly overcast sky. The lake reflections also add some additional flair into the atmosphere.
Piedmont Park Part II: Humid summer weather creates such rich, charming trees in the South. Fresh greenery offers a sense of awe and serenity all throughout the park.
Piedmont Park Part I: Even a cloudy day cannot affect the atmosphere or the views at Piedmont Park. Lush green trees, clear lake reflections, and skyscraper views from Midtown are widespread throughout the tranquil park.
Another walk into the unknown. All the trees surrounding me in this somewhat secluded park led me deep into the forest, the fogginess creating such a mysterious, fantastical feel. I decided to play around with the layers, creating a lighter effect and shifting various layers around to give a blurry, faded light effect.
Filoli Gardens Part I: Rustic shades of orange, red, and muted green uplifts these trees at the famous garden on the mountains. With a mix of holiday lights, decor, and bright trees surrounding the area, it's the perfect way to celebrate the in-between seasons.
Featured in Flickr's Explore.
Japanese Garden in Manito Park Part III: The perfect blend of colors in fall foliage.
Greens, reds, oranges, and yellows in all different shades bring these trees to life.
Japanese Garden in Manito Park Part II: Absolutely love the autumn season and rustic yet vibrant colors from all the trees.
The orange hues on this tree provides the perfect pop against the simple bridge and walkway, creating a satisfying contrast to this picture.
Japanese Garden in Manito Park Part I: First time seeing such vibrant fall foliage at a Japanese Garden! I was in awe of the colors (a mix of all the warm autumn tones), the surreal beauty, and the calmness in this garden.
Featured in Flickr's Explore.
ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden Part II: A simple yet inspiring entrance leading into the Japanese Gardens.
The simplicity of this design, setup, and layout creates such a zen vibe. The quietness and spaciousness makes it the ideal place to relax, think, and recharge after a long trek.
Red Butte Garden Part IV: That moment at golden hour when the sun is inching closer and closer to setting.
The last burst of sun flare peaks out against the trees and mountains, creating lively colors against a more muted backdrop.
Duck Lake Part III: We can feel the clear sky slowly fading away, with tons of high clouds rolling in a few hours before sunset.
The clouds end up creating an astonishing work of art, with a monochrome palette, unique shapes and textures, and fiercely clear water reflections.