I searched for a photo trip near home to hone my macro skills.  I found the Chicago Botanic Garden Orchid Show.  It was amazing!  I have never seen so many varieties orchids in one place.  The park is in Glencoe, Illinois so it was an hour drive from Milwaukee.  If you are not a member, the cost of parking is steep, $25.  The show itself was $10 which was definitely worth the price of admission.  After seeing the potential for photography I opted for a membership and they applied my parking fee toward the $85 membership fee.  I will be back for many more visits in the next year.  

Now there were a few photographic challenges.  No tripods were allowed.  Lighting was an issue in some areas, so I had to use a flash and increased my ISO to 400 for handheld shots in the well lit areas. I did use my reflector when I could catch some light.  I see a monopod in my near future.   Apparently they did not have an issue with using a monopod. 

My favorite orchids were the lady slipper variety.  

Lady Slipper Orchids

There were two large greenhouses with beautifully landscaped displays as well as several other rooms with huge displays. 

Beautifully Landscaped Displays

Check out my Chicago Botanic Gallery for all my best shots.   Can’t wait to go back for the spring flowers, as well as the Japanese gardens.