January 29, 2026

Slow afternoon at the botanical garden

A friend suggested the botanical garden months ago, and this week I finally went. I kept a paper notebook this time, writing down the time and the light for every roll.

A light drizzle started around ten. I sheltered under a bus stop roof and photographed people hurrying past. Halfway through I switched to black and white, which suited the grey but generous weather much better.

Locals barely noticed me. A man feeding gulls told me the place looks completely different in spring. Most of the morning went into watching birds over water; I took fewer frames than usual, but each one felt deliberate.

I sat on a bench for almost an hour, just watching small boats change as the clouds moved. The café near the botanical garden still serves the same cinnamon buns; I had two and pretended it was research.

On the way home the train was nearly empty, so I reviewed the day's notes and planned the next trip. Walking back, I found a side street I had never noticed before, lined with tiny workshops.

It was a good reminder that interesting pictures rarely require going far.