Chicago Botanic Garden – Spring In Retrospect

Spring in retrospect at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The colors were stunning and this rare sunny day provided everything that you could hope for in the way of scenic beauty. I also got to the Garden before the rain shattered the tree blossoms which is something I usually manage to mistime.

 

Tulip Time In Lombard

Lilacs aren’t the only attraction in Lilacia Park in Lombard at this time of year. The tulips certainly get their share of attention and deservedly so.  Seeing all these beautiful flowers reminds me that it’s probably time to replace some of the tulip bulbs that are past their prime in my garden.  I always find it hard to discard any plants that have done so well in the past (it feels rather like a betrayal) but I know those bulbs, that have long ceased to put out any flowers, will have to go.  Time for some new stock and fresh color. Perhaps I’ll try a few of these.

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge – Passion For Purple

This week, the choice is ours for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge and for me the decision was easy. Purple! My favorite color.  For more on this challenge go to Color of Your Choice.

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge – Orange and Pink

This week, Cee has chosen orange and pink as the color combination for her Fun Foto Challenge.  Not such an easy task when trying to track down both colors in one picture.

For more on Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge go to Orange and Pink

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge – Blue & Yellow

This week, Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge is all about colors and more specifically, Blue & Yellow. Going through the photo files, the blues & yellows really stood out, making it easy to find these images taken at the Chicago Botanic Garden, Morton Arboretum, Wausau, Green Bay Botanical Garden, Como Park Zoo and my own garden.

For more on Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge, go to Blue and Yellow.

Nature of the Dance – Men’s Fancy and Northern Traditional

I would like to share a few more images taken at the American Indian Center’s 63rd Annual Chicago Powwow.  The costumes and dances were of particular interest to me and luckily the weather was perfect for bringing out all the colors on display.

One of the categories in competition dancing is Fancy.  The dance originated in Oklahoma and requires considerable agility and endurance. The costumes certainly live up to the name, being extremely elaborate with feathers, ribbons, bells and all kinds of brightly-colored accoutrements. It is said that the dance may represent warriors preparing for battle.

Although not quite so flamboyant, the costumes worn for the Men’s Northern Traditional dance are still considerably ornamented and are most impressive. The costume may include an Eagle feather bustle, bone bead breastplate, leggings, beaded moccasins and ankle bells. The dancer sometimes carries an Eagle feather fan, pipe bag or dance stick and paints his face to represent a traditional family or national emblem.

There are several different interpretations of the dance which is thought to either represent a warrior recounting his feats in battle or searching for his enemy while other stories mention a hunting or gathering role. Some of these dancers look quite fearsome so I’m guessing it has more to do with the fighting aspect.

 

 

Autumn Bonus

Who would have thought we’d be walking about in our shirtsleeves in 70 degree temps at the beginning of November but such was the case today.  A splendid autumn bonus that was best enjoyed in the open and preferably in a place as beautiful as the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Soaking up the sun and making the most of every moment, we’ve seen a lot of changes at the Garden over the years but none more spectacular than the change from summer to autumn.

We are so lucky to live within easy driving distance of this wonderful garden and love to visit no matter what the season but there’s something just so spectacular about the fall months.

Brilliant colors at every turn and in all parts of the garden and with the warm temperatures we were able to take our time to appreciate one of nature’s miracles.

Green Bay Roses

On our way home from Mackinac Island a few weeks ago, we stopped off in Green Bay overnight and were delighted to find that our hotel was just a short drive from the Green Bay Botanical Gardens.

I find it difficult to ignore the opportunity to take a stroll around a garden especially as gorgeous as the one in Green Bay, so even though we were somewhat weary travelers and the weather, though sunny, was rather on the hot side, we took advantage of our Chicago Botanic Garden membership which affords reciprocal privileges and paid the garden a visit.

I love roses but never seem to have much luck with mine.  The ones in the Lux Foundation Rose Garden were just fabulous! I wish I could tell you the names but as usual I was too busy taking photos to make notes.

The colors were dazzling and the scent of the roses took me back to my grandmother’s garden which, although nothing like the one at Green Bay was, to my young eyes, an earthly paradise.

Every time I visit a place like this, I come home with a renewed determination to replant my rose bed and grow something really spectacular yet somehow it never works out. But I keep trying!

Color

“The world is full of colour!

   ‘Tis Autumn once again

And leaves of gold and crimson

   Are lying in the lane.”

Adeline White.

The Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

On a recent trip to Iowa we were thrilled to discover a new treasure, (new to us, anyway) The Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. What a beautiful place this is! Opening in 1980 the gardens have continued to flourish and now feature such delightful areas as the hosta, English, Japanese, herb and rose gardens to mention but a few.

They have a wonderful collection of daylilies as well as many other perennials and a colorful display greeted us at every turn.

I was especially drawn to the English garden, of course, and having arrived at the Gardens early in the morning, we found this secluded spot very peaceful.

There are more than 1200 hostas thriving in the shady areas of the garden and because slugs like hostas and wrens like slugs there are lots of little wren houses scattered about. These tiny birds seem to have done an excellent job of protecting the plants.

There are several pieces of artwork in the Gardens, sculptures ranging from whimsical to traditional can be found under the trees and among the flower beds.

Among the flowers blooming in the Gardens are many gorgeous varieties of roses and some splendid dahlias. And wild flowers have their own special area too.

And everywhere you look you’ll these little chipmunks dashing about.

Down by the lake in the Japanese garden we could hear frogs calling to one another and I was rewarded with an excellent opportunity for some quality one-on-one time.

If you are anywhere near the Dubuque area, and even if you’re not, I can highly recommend a visit to the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. They are an absolute delight and what’s more there is no charge for entry which in this day and age is amazing!