Summer stroll through the huntington
During summer break, my mother and I decided to visit The Huntington Library. It was a hot, but beautiful day. We saw butterflies fluttering through the air, beetles scurrying in the shade, koi fish gliding through the ponds, and so many other creatures. Honestly, it was the most active I’ve ever seen the animals there.
The Huntington is located in San Marino, California. It’s both an art museum and a botanical garden, a peaceful estate spread out over 207 acres—though only 130 acres are open to the public.
It was close to 90 degrees when we went, but we made the most of it. We wandered through the grounds and really basked in the gorgeous scenery. Though, we did have to take a couple breaks because of the heat.
I mainly shot with my Canon 75-300mm zoom lens, which was perfect for capturing the wildlife. Later in the day, I switched to my Tamron 35mm lens later in the day. While a zoom lens is quite handy, it's always wise to bring a backup in case you want to switch up your perspective.
Exploring The Huntington Library Gardens: Wildlife and Photo Highlights
The top photo is of a red dragonfly I spotted near the pond. It was a challenge to capture, as it kept flying around with another dragonfly. Eventually, it landed on a plant just long enough for me to snap this shot. I'm so glad that I used my zoom lens to photograph it, since it helped me capture the intricate details on its wings.
The middle photograph is of a couple koi fish that swam up to me when I approached the pond. They must've thought I had food, because they lingered nearby for a while. I didn't feed them, but I was thrilled to get such a close shot. Since it was a bright day, I chose to edit the photo with a moodier tone- it just felt like a better fit for the scene.
The bottom photo is of a lotus flower blooming in the pond. There were only about one to two in bloom at the time, but it was a stunning sight to behold. I also love that you can see the other ones that have yet to bloom in the background.
butterflies
The first photo captures a yellow butterfly delicately drinking from a flower. I personally love how the angle makes it seem as if I'm there in the flowers with it. It gives such a unique perspective.
The middle photo is by far my favorite. I waited there for twenty minutes to get this shot. I used my zoom lens and kept adjusting until I finally got the focus where I wanted. These butterflies moved so fast that I almost gave up, but I'm glad that I didn't.
The last photo was taken in the rose garden. This butterfly kept fluttering from flower to flower, and I managed to snap a quick shot when it paused. What I love most is the strong contrast between the butterfly and the pink blossoms.
Moments in Nature
The first photo is of a dragonfly resting on a plant. I wanted to capture it from a side angle this time, since I usually focus on their wings. From this view, it almost looks like it’s smiling—which I thought was such a sweet and unexpected detail.
The middle photo features a turtle perched on a rock. In order to get this shot, I used my zoom lens and crouched down to its level. I really wanted the viewer to feel like they were right there with me. I especially love the way the surrounding plants naturally frame the turtle—it gives the image a calm, tucked-away feel.
The last photo is of a butterfly in flight, searching for its next meal. At first, I was unsure about keeping this one—it felt a little too spontaneous. But now, I think that’s what I like most about it. It feels almost accidental, which adds to its charm.
Overall, it was a really fun day. Sure, we were exhausted from the heat, but we got to see so much. And it was especially nice to spend the day together, since I’ve mostly been away at college. I’m already looking forward to the next time we can do it again.
