~Author Unknown~
My photos of the fairies were taken in the San Diego Botanical Garden many years ago (maps above showing its location). The middle photo is blurry, but I noticed that I had caught a little hummingbird in frame. It is in the left of the photo, slightly above and to the side of the fairy's left wing, sitting on a branch. I was visiting the children's garden at the time, having walked all over the other areas and needing a rest. Keeping still and very quiet is a wonderful way to take everything in, and to see what little birds might appear, as in this case the hummingbird.
I had the place all to myself. The whole garden was very quiet and the only occasional person I came across was one of the volunteer gardeners. It took about an hour to get there driving north, and it was the first time I had used GPS.
We actually lived in San Diego for many years back in the 80's, as I have mentioned before on other posts. I was looking forward to visiting with old friends.
On this occasion I had gone along on one of Gregg's business trips and we hadn't thought of getting GPS up to that point, but he didn't want me getting lost. We were late to the party, but I took to it like a duck to water and my adventures began, starting with the botanical garden. A lovely memory and another place I would like to get to again one day.
Thanks for looking and
I hope you day will be great.
The Fairies are delightful! And I love the poem, especially the last two lines. I saw the little bird before I even read what you said about him!
ReplyDeleteHi Ginny, I agree, you are very observant to have spotted the hummingbird :) Glad you enjoyed the poem.
DeleteWonderful post. Of course, I am tuned into fairies everywhere! Sometimes I think you are one. Denise, Aloha!
ReplyDeleteThank you my friend, we are kindred spirits :)
DeleteI just watched "the watchers" on Netflix. These fairies are tall and slender cannibals
ReplyDeleteOh dear, not something you will see me watching says I with a smile. These fairies are vegan :)
DeleteI visited San Diego several times over many years, the last time in 2003, and each time urban sprawl had become progressively worse, and pristine canyons where I used to go birding had filled with expensive homes, and private roads prevented access to areas I formerly visited. It was not many years later that wildfires spurred by the Santa Ana winds took care of some of those homes. I am quite sure that I will never go there again.
ReplyDeleteIt is a sad state of affairs David. Also it has been several years since I went back. I still hope I can :)
DeleteWhat cute little fairies those are. I would have liked to have seen that garden in person.
ReplyDeleteYou would love it Ann :) or at least at the time. I have no idea what it would be like now but I expect it is still beautiful.
DeleteThe fairies are wonderful and thank you for the map. A lovely post.
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome Margaret. I always enjoy the ones you share :)
DeleteThe fairies are cute, love the post and photos.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful memory of your San Diego trip.
Take care, have a great day!
Thank you Eileen, I have many happy memories from that trip. You take care and have a great day too :)
DeleteI didn't notice the bird at first...the fairies are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you Angie and I agree :)
DeleteWe should all believe in fairies and (good) magic.
ReplyDeleteMost definitely Janice, thank you for the reminder :)
DeleteA park /trail in our County has one section for children to bring in earth friendly supplies to build fairy homes. I did post years ago I'll try to find it.
ReplyDeleteMy birds are most unhappy with me today. I heard lots of HBO tweeting too. Last night I moved all the feeders to the garage. We are expecting high gusty wind and rain starting around 9 til 1pm. Be glad when that is over.
Hugs Cecilia
Hello Cecilia :) that sounds absolutely wonderful! I would love to read your post about this place. Teaching the younger generation to care for the planet in such a way is a noble cause. Hopefully your birds are happy and things are back to normal. We had the same high winds but no damage. It was startling to wake up and hear the trees waving all over the place. I hope everything was okay for you. Sending hugs :)
Deletelink to my post about the fairy trail
ReplyDeletehttps://downhomeinnc.blogspot.com/2021/03/fff-fairy-and-nature-friday-and-5-sibes.html#comment-form
Wonderful! Thank you!!! I will check that out.
DeleteI have seen other photos of your faires and wondered where you found them. I wonder if kids even like fairies now. that might be why it was empty. now if you filled the garden with those GAME people it would be crowded.. not many books about faries these days..
ReplyDeleteI find them everywhere Sandra, mostly the gardens I have been to. I haven't checked a book store in a while. I'll have to make a note to do that when I go. I always enjoyed looking at books on fairies, but that's been years ago :)
DeleteHow fun to be able to enjoy that garden without a crowd about you! Growing up in Southern California...I know those roads. :) Happy March, Denise.
ReplyDeleteIt was a special day for me. I haven't found one all to myself like that since :) How wonderful! I didn't know you grew up in Southern California. Happy March to you also Ellen.
DeleteThe fairies are a pleasant sight for me. I lived in San Diego in the 1950s as a child. I have many good memories.
ReplyDeleteThat's so nice to know Sandra :) I'm glad you have such good memories. I have many too.
DeleteWhat a lovely adventure. Thank you for including the map! My US geography is rather weak.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jenn. I need a refresher course on so many things, including Canada. One of my favorite topics at school was geography. We used to have teachers on short exchanges from other countries who would wear their national clothing. I always loved that.
DeleteNever saw or heard about fairies growing up in Minnesota. I don't remember ever reading about them in the Fairy Tale books I read--lol! Didn't know about them till I saw Peter Pan on TV--lol! Then, of course, I fell in love with them. ;) Those are such cute ones they hid in the trees! Have a great day! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Rita, that's really interesting. I read a lot about them in England growing up but we were steeped in old stories and legends. I'm not sure they are as popular as they were. I'll have to ask some of our British blogging friends :) I remember Peter Pan vividly. My mother used to take us to the Pantomime at the local theater at Christmas-time. I remember Dick Whittington and Peter Pan, and the principal boy was always a lady in fishnet stockings. Such a fun memory.
DeleteThat would be magical to have the whole garden to yourself! I like that idea.
ReplyDeleteIt was Jeanie, ever so and a great memory :)
DeleteLovely whimsical photos
ReplyDeleteThank you Christine, glad you enjoyed them :)
DeleteHello! What a wonderful time you must have had! Exploring the garden all by yourself sounds perfect to me! Thank you for sharing, my friend. They are magical!
ReplyDeleteHello Billy Jo, thank you and I am glad you enjoyed me sharing my memories about this place. It was magical! I couldn't believe my luck. It was midweek and during the early part of the day but even so :) I look forward to popping over to see you, running behind in my comments as per usual :)
DeleteIt must have been fun looking for the fairies. I guess you have to be very quiet to spot one.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly was. I was delighted when I came across them, and then the hummingbird decided to visit and spend time with me on a branch just above my head. I think he was as busy looking at me as I was of him. Yes, very quiet! That's why I was so happy to be on my own just sitting there. I made up my mind I was going to see what would happen if I stayed for half an hour, and there my little hummer appeared. Over the moon I was :)
DeleteAnything to do with fairy's is good with me.
ReplyDeleteNear to where I live there is a fairy trail ... such fun for both young, and those a little older :)
All the best Jan
That sounds wonderful too Jan, a place I would love to see. all the best to you too :)
DeleteI love faerie gardens!
ReplyDeleteI am always looking for them when I go to a new garden. I love them too :)
DeleteWhat a beautiful reflection on both the magic of nature and your personal memories. The idea of fairies hiding everywhere, just waiting to be discovered, ties so perfectly with the peace and stillness you found in the San Diego Botanical Garden. It sounds like that quiet time in the children’s garden gave you the chance to truly connect with the environment around you—and even catch a glimpse of a hummingbird, which feels like a little touch of magic in itself!
ReplyDeleteThe way you describe your experience with the GPS, the anticipation of visiting old friends, and the memories of living in San Diego makes it all feel so personal and vivid. I can almost picture the calm garden and the excitement of exploring a new adventure. I hope you're able to visit again soon, and thank you for sharing this lovely piece of your journey with us!
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Thank you for your lovely comment Melody. Very much appreciated :) I will be over to return the visit soon. still playing catchup :)
DeleteNever been to that part of CA. Botanical gardens are always a good place to visit. The last one we went to was the Buffalo Arboreum last spring.
ReplyDeleteHello Marcia, I agree. We always find one on our travels and I look forward to doing that again one of these days :) I'll have to look up the Buffalo Arboreum. We have been through Buffalo but didn't stay for any site-seeing. We were heading to Canada.
DeleteLindas hadas, yo creo en ellas y en la magia. Te mando un beso.
ReplyDeleteGracias por tu lindo comentario. A mí también me encantan las hadas. Te deseo un muy feliz domingo. Te mando un beso.
DeleteWhat fun! I will have to tell my brother about this garden. He has recently moved to the other side of the continent and I know he would enjoy an afternoon there. Perhaps one day I will visit.....
ReplyDeleteHappy you found it so, thank you Jennifer :) How wonderful that your brother is living there now. I expect you miss him but it would be lovely to visit. I look forward to you telling us all about it one of these days.
DeleteQuite whimsical.
ReplyDelete