Since there seemed to be quite a bit of rain in the forecast, I decided that Friday would probably be the best time to visit the Morton Arboretum in Lisle for my annual dose of daffodils and magnolias. It was sunny with reasonably mild temperatures but I could see the wind was going to be a bit of a problem. These conditions require some patience, waiting for things stop dancing about.
The place is packed! Probably because The Trolls are still on display and there happens to be a plant sale going on, plus the appealing sight of daffodils and magnolias in bloom has brought people out by the hundreds. The car park is almost full when I get there and I end up pulling in next to this guy, with the hope that my car doesn’t suffer the same fate.
The magnolias are, as usual, spectacular! It’s too bad that their blossoms don’t last longer. Timing is everything when visiting for the specific purpose of seeing something at the peak of blooming and some of the pink flowers are past their best but others are just gorgeous! I love magnolias and even bought our girls magnolia charms for their bracelets this Easter.
You never know what you’re going to come across when walking down a woodland trail at the Arboretum. And it’s rather creepy, sitting among the trees, listening to them creak and groan in the wind. Looking down, I can see evidence of branches that have come crashing to the ground and hope that I’ve picked a safe spot to take a rest. And while I’m gazing around I spot a bird that I don’t think I’ve seen before. Other than the usual cast of characters, robins, sparrows, cardinals and a few others that I recognize, I have no idea what this one is, so any suggestions as to its identity are welcome.
Over at Lake Marmo everything is basking in the sunshine. A turtle paddles by, while a goose enjoys a snooze on the bank and a gigantic fish peers back at me from the gloomy depths below the bridge by Hemlock Hill.
The Troll that overlooks Daffodil Glade is in for a rude awakening. There are almost as many visitors as there are daffodils. Lots of kids rushing about, trampling the flowers underfoot. Well, you’re only young once, and I guess the temptation is probably just too great to resist. How quickly things change! I’m glad I went to the Arboretum yesterday. It’s snowing today!
The Nature of Things 
Fun narrative and great photos as usual. I like the underwater photo of the fish in particular.
Thanks, Chris! The fish were enormous in an almost scary kind of way!
I believe that is a white-breasted nuthatch. I get quite a few at my feeder. We don’t have snow yet today, but it’s forecast for later this afternoon. Rumors of 5-9 inches have now been modified to “less than an inch”. You certainly have a lot more blooming trees and flowers than we do yet. I’m looking forward to my tulips, forsythia, apples, and crabapples blooming. I’ve only seen one daffodil in bloom yet on my property.
Yes, I think you are right about the nuthatch, Scilla. The late snow flattened most of our daffodils but the tulips held up alright. Now we are just getting massive amounts of rain. At least the grass is looking nice and green.
Love magnolias too – seems like a great place to go.
I try to get there at least twice a year, in spring and autumn.
Marvelous captures all of them. ❤️
Many thanks, Irene!
A thoroughly enjoyable visit for your readers to delight in. Thank you.
Thanks, Tom! You would never know it to look at these pictures but the weather has been really miserable here for the past couple of weeks. So when we do get the odd sunny day it’s best to make the most of it.
I am a big fan of magnolias. I love the woodland “nymphs” and ogres too!
Thanks for stopping by, Patti.