While visiting family in Florida over the holidays, I had a chance to tour and photograph at the amazing Bok Tower Gardens!

Bok Tower Gardens (also known as Bok Mountain Lake Sanctuary and Singing Tower) is a botanical garden and bird sanctuary, located north of Lake Wales, Florida. It has a beautiful 250-acre garden, a giant 205-foot tall Singing Tower, several walking trails, the Pinewood Estate (which you can take a tour of), and a visitor center.

The tower, with its melodeous carillon bells, is built on top of Iron Mountain, one of the highest points of peninsular Florida, estimated to be 295 feet above sea level. Bok Tower Gardens is a National Historic Landmark that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

I spent the morning enjoying the wildlife and the natural setting. Since it was an overcast day, I focused most of my attention on macro photography. But I did happen upon a beautiful wedding ceremony and couldn’t help snapping a few of that as well. 🙂  Later, the rest of the family joined me, with Linda (who works at the gardens) leading us in a very nice tour.

If you’re ever in the Orlando area, I highly recommend a side trip to Bok Tower Gardens!