Quick Details
One of the lesser-known attractions in the nation’s capital, the U.S. Botanic Gardens is a fantastic repository of extraordinary floral displays, especially the unusual orchids, Birds of Paradise, and a warm jungle area complete with mist and croaking frogs. It is the nation’s oldest operating public garden.
During the late 18th century, George Washington had a dream of a national botanic garden and was instrumental in establishing one on the National Mall in 1820. Washington’s letter where he wrote in support of a botanic garden in the new federal city is in the archives of the Library of Congress.
In May 1820, with the signing of a Congressional Bill by President James Madison, land was designated for the garden to the west of the Capitol Grounds, from First Street to Third Street between Pennsylvania and Maryland Avenues. The Victorian Conservatory opened to the public in 1850, and the U.S. Botanic Garden has been in continuous operation and open to the public since this date.
After being closed for the past two years, the Botanic Garden has re-opened with special new exhibits such as “Cultivate: Growing Food in a Changing World.”
Come join architectural photographer E. David Luria as he guides you through the Conservatory to do macro photography on the flowers and portrait photography in the sylvan forest.
Our safari also includes a visit to the tulip gardens of the adjoining Bartholdi Park, with its fountain sculpted by the man who crafted the Statue of Liberty, Auguste Bartholdi.
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- Camera
- Lenses
- Extra memory cards
- Extra charged battery
- Accessories such as filters
- Weather appropriate clothing
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Meet behind information desk at entrance at 1st St and Maryland Ave SW on National Mall, right across from U.S. Capitol, nearest Metro is Federal Center on Blue/Orange Line.
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Architectural photographer E. David Luria is founder and director of the Washington Photo Safari, which has provided over 6,700 photo safaris for 46,000 amateur photographers – an average of 5 people every day, 365 days a year, since it was founded in 1999.
“You taught me several important points and helped me better understand not only photography but also my own camera. I’ve taken photo classes at the Smithsonian, Glen Echo, and the Washington School of Photography. You’ve been the best among all the teachers I’ve had.“ David Lassiter, Olney, MD
Trained in Paris by a protégé of Henri Cartier-Bresson, Mr. Luria is a member of the American Society of Media Photographers and the Society of Photographic Educators and has had his images of DC appear in over 100 publications, calendars, and postcards and on 30 magazine covers.