The new year is starting off really well as I got to shoot some flowers and plants at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens in Dixboro, MI about one hour drive from my home. The gardens are maintained by the University of Michigan.

I haven't been there in about five or six years and was happy to see a lot of new subjects to shoot.

I don't have many flower images from desert plants, and I was excited to find some in bloom, which has not been the case whenever I have been there in past years.

One problem with shooting in botanical gardens is the clutter behind the flowers, so I made sure I had backgrounds to hold up behind the flowers. 

These images were shot with the Fuji X-T30 MKll and the Tamron 18-300. All shot at f/22 to f/32.

Join my new online Flower Photography Club. For more information and to join the club, click the link. Flower Photography Club - Michael G Moats

In Southeast Michigan where I live the Flowering Rush are invasive plants that tend to cause problems for the native plant life.  I really like the flowers.

Flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus) is a perennial aquatic plant native to Europe and Asia, commonly found in shallow waters, wetlands, and along the edges of lakes and rivers. It features slender stems that can reach up to 3-4 feet, long narrow leaves, and attractive pink to white flowers that bloom in umbrella-like clusters during late spring to early summer.

While it supports local wildlife by providing habitat and attracting pollinators, flowering rush can become invasive in non-native regions, outcompeting local flora and disrupting ecosystems. Management strategies, such as mechanical removal or chemical treatments, may be necessary to control its spread.

Despite its invasive potential, flowering rush is popular in ornamental gardening for water features and naturalized areas. Careful management and awareness of local regulations are important to enjoy its beauty while minimizing ecological impact.

Join my new online Flower Photography Club. For more information and to join the club, click the link. Flower Photography Club - Michael G Moats

Join us in this amazing island experience with a family of likeminded flower photographers. 

This will be my seventh-year teaching at the Madeline Island School of Arts Campus.

Also teaching this year will be, Jackie Kramer, Kathleen Clemons, and Adrea Gulickx.

Madeline Island, nestled in the sparkling embrace of Lake Superior, captivates with its natural beauty and tranquil allure. Lush forests and meadows, painted with vibrant hues in summer, create a picturesque landscape perfect for photographers and nature lovers.

The island's artistic spirit thrives within its small communities, where galleries, local crafts, and a rich cultural heritage add depth to its charm.

On Sunday attendees will take a fun ferry ride from Bayfield to Madeline Island School of Arts sprawling campus.

On Sunday evening we will have a meet and greet with the four instructors in the dining hall.

A bonus of attending this workshop is an evening boat ride to the sea caves on Devils Island. 

After our Sunday evening welcome dinner everyone will retire for a good night's sleep in the campus cabins.

Monday morning everyone will meet up for breakfast in the dining hall and find out who will be their instructor and shooting location for the first morning.

Each day you will work with a different instructor in a new location.

The islands Lupine flowers is a big attraction, plus shoot in private gardens on the island or take a ferry ride back to the mainland to shoot some Bayfield gardens. 

After the morning shoot you will be back in the dining hall for lunch, and after lunch you will attend a lecture with your instructor of that day in one of the meeting rooms. 

After your instructor meeting you will have some time to relax before heading back to the dining hall for dinner.

After dinner you will have free time to go out and shoot, hang out with the instructors, or go to the island's galleries, bars, shops. 

After breakfast on Friday morning, you will head to the milkhouse barn meeting space for image critique from one of the instructors. 

Bring a laptop to load your images for the critique.

The workshop will come to an end at noon on Friday.  In the afternoon you will prepare to leave the island or stay an extra night and leave on Saturday.

Floral Photography on Madeline Island

June 15th–19th, 2026

For information about the workshop and to sign up click the link below.

CLICK HERE

Wintertime in the north is for shooting indoors, and slab agates are great subjects to have fun with.  The amazing patterns make for great abstract artwork.

To find agates do a google search "Slab Agates"

Here are a few of many I have purchased over the years.

Some of my agate abstracts.

Join my new online Flower Photography Club. For more information and to join the club, click the link. Flower Photography Club - Michael G Moats

If you live in an area where you are getting snow, get out the camera and shoot some snowy subjects.

It's not as nice being all bundled up and dealing with the cold, but better than sitting in the house all winter, and you can get some cool images.

Join my new online Flower Photography Club. For more information and to join the club, click the link. Flower Photography Club - Michael G Moats