Thursday, May 10, 2018

A VISIT TO MEADOWLARK BOTANICAL GARDENS LAST MARCH

This is a favorite go-to place of ours.  My regular blogging friends have seen the garden before.  If you are a new visitor, you can look at the labels below this post, and click on Meadowlark Botanical Gardens.  I have taken a lot of photos over the years.  


Our last time was in March, as shown in this post, and we haven't been since.  That is unusual for us but it has been a very cold spring.  Last time we thought the weather was finally getting better, but it became bitterly cold again, and never really warmed up.  I prefer to meander around at a decent, but not overly fast pace, so that I can take in all the sights and enjoy its surroundings.  



The entrance is through a very nice visitor center where there are several terrariums.  One of my favorites is the lizard but I also enjoy the fish and the frogs.   



There are also paintings done by talented local artists.



I cropped this one for a closer look.


We enjoy walking the pathways that take us all around the garden.  I've shared photos of the children's garden several times.  



A familiar face.



The Canada Goose came over and checked us out, but didn't seem to think we were a threat.  His head didn't go down, never once striking the defensive, wings out, might give us a runner, stance.  If he showed signs I would have turned on my heel in the other direction.  I've been there before in nesting season and it was still a little early for that.  It is often hard to stay the required distance when they are feeding right next to the walking path.



The mushroom/fungus growing on the trunks of the trees are always interesting.



A nice view across one of the three ponds at the garden.


A bench I covet.  It turned up a few years ago.  I have searched on line for an identical one with no success.  


Even with all the cold weather, the daffodils were blooming...


and the helibores.


Pretty skies abound.  In the height of their growing season, these beds are full of roses and other beautiful flowers...


but in the meantime the spring flowers are the stars.


I always look forward to my next visit, hopefully soon, to see what will be blooming.




35 comments:

  1. I just love this place. I can see why you want the bench! Maybe next visit, you could ask an employee where they bought it? I love your sharp shots of the animals. And the Helibores are gorgeous! I like how you show a little bit of everything, so I get a tour.

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    1. Thank you Ginny, always happy to hear you enjoyed my post :)

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  2. Botanical Gardens are wonderful, wonderful places and this one epitomises that.

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  3. Is that the same book the frog is reading? Wondering how many pages he's got to go to the end...lol.

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    1. He never seems to tire of it does he Valerie? LOL.

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  4. Hello Denise. Just popped in to say hello - I only just discovered you are back online. Guess I'm not moving in the right circles lol
    I really enjoyed these photos from your walk round the gardens - so very Springlike with the daffodils and hellebores as well as other early bloomers. Let's hope it a little bit warmer for your next visit. It's cooling down here as we prepare for the winter season. Going to be cold tonight 4c / 39f !!
    Take care
    Cathy

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    1. Hello Cathy, how lovely to see you here. A little late me getting back to you but I am slowly catching up :) our weather is starting to warm up now :)

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  5. If you listen carefully, that frog with the book is saying, "Reddit ... Reddit ... Reddit ..."

    God bless.

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  6. The flowers are a delight! The daffodils are starting to show here at present.

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    1. Daffodils will always be my favorite Spring flower. Well, I guess tulips too :)

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  7. Cool place, fine pictures, D! Especially love the gourd art AND the big iguana of COURSE! Thanks

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  8. You did a good job capturing the pleasant environment at that park.

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    1. Thank you, appreciate the visit. I would love to know who you are.

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  9. It looks a fabulous place and a photographers haven. Love that first shot, fabulous. Take care Diane

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  10. Hi Denise,
    Another of your wonderful places to visit, the lizard looks very interesting. I see what you mean about the bench. You appear to have a similar spring to us.
    All the best, John

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    1. Thank you John, apparently we had a lot of rain in May.

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  11. Beautiful photographs.
    I always love seeing daffodils and their cheerful yellow colour.
    I always think the children's garden is amazing.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you Jan, glad you enjoyed Meadowlark:)

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  12. That is a cool bench. I'm seeing more and more metal work shops advertised on facebook, etc. Most things I've seen are on a smaller scale and not benches. Have a wonderful weekend.

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    1. Thank you Ellen, it is unusual and I still love it.

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  13. Beautiful scene there. At the moment am not too fond of frogs LOL. Just had General election and frustrated with "frogs" hopping to the other Party

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    1. Oh dear, I like our garden frogs. They don’t do the political thing :)

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  14. Hello Denise!
    I absolutely loved the Gardens walk with you. It's a very special place and I remember previous posts. It was interesting to see the all the little marks on the plants from the lizard, he/she must have fun climbing all over them!
    What a funny bumpy, kind of lumpy, frog too - haven't seen one like that before.
    I agree, that bench is definitely a beauty.
    Always lovely to see those beautiful daffodils and helibores too.
    Thanks for sharing your visit with us and cheers! Sue :D) xx

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    1. Hi Sue, thank you for all your comments. Glad you enjoyed what you saw in my photos. Cheers!

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  15. Spring flowers... specially daffodils ... make my heart sing. That is a wonderful park and I hope you do get back soon to see what's blooming.

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