January 20 dawned with clear skies in St. Louis, so I packed up some cameras and drove into the City.
It had been nearly a year since I had last visited the Missouri Botanical Garden.
I think you know why. January 20 of 2020 was the last day in the USA before a reported death from the pandemic.

The Garden is undergoing some serious renovations and reconstructions. I arrived to the sight of the venerable Ridgway Center visitor building being demolished before my very eyes. And it has only been about 40 years since the beloved structure was opened.
The new temporary visitors' entrance is rather stark by contrast.

Once inside the Garden, it felt colder than appearances, and I was thankful for my coat, hat, and gloves. This being only 4 weeks since the Solstice, even at Noon the sun was still riding low in the sky, not far above the horizon. Conditions produced a unique light, painting the objects and vegetation with a palette different than the colors of other seasons.

I discovered a sensation, when I put aside the view through camera lenses and allowed myself to actually see with my own eyes. And I was struck with a sense of great beauty about me. Yes, this can be a very beautiful place.

The set below was captured with a Pentax K110 D and 18-55 mm lens.
I also ran a roll of film through a 1940's Argus A2B, a smooth and clean example of a 75 year old camera. That film is awaiting my next opportunity to develop using the Caffenol process. Please watch for it.

Please click on thumbnails to see enlarged.
All images are ©2021 E.J.Kowalski.
Thanks! Ed