Those of you who follow my posts regularly are aware that it’s highly unlikely that I will knowingly or willingly go inside anywhere where birds are flying about. I had a suspicion that there might be birds in The Domes at Milwaukee’s Mitchell Park but we had made the trip specifically to visit there and thankfully the domes are so huge that, after poking my head round the door to make sure it was safe, it became apparent that any winged inhabitants were, at least for the time being, staying well out of the way.
That’s not to say that I wasn’t very much aware that there were birds nearby. I could hear them. But there was just so much to see and photograph in The Desert Dome that after a while I became a lot less nervous.
The Desert Dome was the last of three conservatories to be completed at Mitchell Park and was opened to the public in 1967. Cacti and succulents from Madagascar, South America, Africa, Mexico and the American Southwest are featured in appropriate settings and the variety of plants in this dome is simply astounding.
Despite keeping a wary eye open for any birds that might be about, there were thankfully no close encounters. Does that mean that I would cheerfully enter an enclosed space where there are birds flying free in the future. It’s extremely unlikely, but never say never.
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The Nature of Things 
When I was at the Garfield Park Conservatory last month, I heard a cardinal call in the tropical plant room. There she was, next to a window, looking for an out. I wonder if park staff have to trap and release birds that get inside by accident.
It appears to be a common problem, even in grocery stores. There have been a couple of times when I’ve loaded up the shopping cart, only to have to leave abruptly when I’ve been startled by the appearance of a bird visiting the pet food section. I’m sure places like Garfield Park have a plan for such contingencies. Most of the birds in The Domes are there to keep the insect population down. I did see a crow, once, trapped in one of the batting cages at a local mini-golf and sports complex. Birds are very inquisitive especially if it looks like there’s food in the offing, and seem to get themselves into all sorts of tight spots.
Never seen one in a grocery store; that would be startling!
We love succulents. Of course, nothing as spectacular as under the dome, but little cacti blooming in shallow pots is part of our summer ritual.
I’m glad you had no close encounters of the flying kind while there!
I’ve never had much luck growing succulents up till now, but we recently gave some out as favors at my Grandson’s wife’s baby shower and I saved a couple so I’m hoping to keep them growing.
Yes, I let my husband take care of them. I tend to want to over water things.
I had the same problem, Sandy. I think I was overwatering and then when I had to buy a whole load of them for the baby shower and make sure I kept them alive for at least a few weeks, I asked the lady who was working at the nursery and she told me they only need watering once a month during the winter and maybe twice a month during the summer months so I’m adhering to that advice and so far so good.
Wonderful examples of succulents…all shapes, sizes and those with furry bits too! Pleased that the birds stayed away or we’d all have missed your lovely photos!
Thank you so much, Lletty! Yes, I was glad the birds kept their distance otherwise you would have heard me screaming all the way from the domes to the lakefront!
I love the shapes, lines, and textures in your pictures. Those particular textures are better to experience with the eyes than the hands. 😉
Thank you! Yes, I kept my fingers well away from those sharp spines!
Great photos and narrative. I’ve never been to the domes.
Thanks, Chris! It’s been such a long time since we were there last that I’d forgotten just how beautiful it was inside the domes. It was one of the first places that my in-laws took us to visit when we first came over to the US.
I am glad that you braved possible bird intimidation. Your photographs are lovely.
Thanks, Tom! I’m glad I took the chance. I think I was probably prompted in part by the fact that my husband would have been extremely cheesed off if I’d refused to go in, after driving all that way to get there.
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Lovely succulents, Sue!
Back from a vacation 🙂
Thank you, Indira! I hope you had an enjoyable time on your vacation.
glorious assortment of tropical plants perfectly presented with your wonderful photos!
Thank you so much! I’m glad you liked them.
Glad you braved the birds to get these beautiful pictures.
Thank you!