Yesterday I did what I used to do when I lived in Spring Hill, I dropped by the botanical garden rather than drive past it. I doubted that butterflies would be in abundance in this cooler weather, and I was right. But right there in the butterfly garden I found something I haven’t seen in ages, a big fat bumble bee. And the afternoon light was nice. What a treat.
I was amazed at how solid his wings look in this photo.He was ignoring me completely as he flitted from flower to flower.I wish I could claim to have set up this shot, but it was just lucky.He was still busy when I left.
I love it when a spur of the moment inspiration turns out so well. Life is simple these days, all it takes is seeing a tiny little creature to make my day. Life is good.
Another stop at the botanical garden up the road from me. This time there were no butterflies stopping for photos, but the flowers were gorgeous.
I noticed this bluebird as soon as I arrived. He must be new.This looks like a firecracker to me.How pretty is this? You can be sure to find some shade should you decide to visit.I thought the butterflies found these pagoda plants irresistible, but they didn’t seem interested in landing on them this day.I absolutely love plumbago flowers.This squirrel was at eye level and stayed totally still for me. I guess he thought he was hiding behind that branch.
My friend suggested that I work on all the photos I have and get them ready in case we lose electricity with a hurricane heading into the gulf. So I took his advice, but without electricity where will those photos go? I guess I will unplug the computer and hope they are waiting for me after the storm. But for now we watch the weather forecasts and get as ready as we can, and wait…
The thought of another rainy day had me a little down in the dumps yesterday. But when the sun came out in the early afternoon we decided to go to the Nature Coast Botanical Garden with our cameras. The last time I was there they had recently pruned all the greenery back, and I thought it looked a bit sad. This time the greenery was lush, almost overgrown, and the butterflies were seemingly frantic in their activity. The feature photo is the two black butterflies who were in constant motion, chasing each other and flitting from flower to flower. After the fact I thought of the adjustments I might have made in the camera to help stop the action, fearing I hadn’t gotten any sharp photos. I’m actually surprised to have gotten a couple.
I guess they slowed down a little.This garden has the luxury of lots of shade, and many tables and benches that you might chose to stop at to relax. You might even bring lunch. I used to pass this garden almost every time I left the house, now it’s a little out of the way, but not too far.I love this little castle planter. I can’t resist taking a picture every time I visit.This sculpture is finished now, carved out of the trunk of a tree that stood here. What a beautiful addition to the garden.While my friend looked at the train garden I was excited to see this big yellow butterfly, who posed rather nicely for me. I really didn’t get as many good shots of him as I thought I had. The new camera has a ‘joy stick’ that you can move with your thumb to adjust your focus. It’s not natural for me to use that yet so I cut off pieces of his wings in a lot of shots.The train garden sits like a little oasis surrounded by the train tracks. The owner runs the trains on Saturdays, at least some Saturdays, and there is a button the kids can push to make the sound of the train whistle. Tucked away in that foliage are two little waterfalls, but you will have to take my word for it since they were well hidden.This train station seems new to me. Those passengers will have to wait a while for the next train.
It’s a treat to get outside even for a little while. And dinner with the photo group finished the day off perfectly.
We took a quick Sunday ride to the Nature Coast Botanical Gardens before Easter dinner. It was a quiet way to spend the day, with flowers and butterflies.
I liked seeing more than one color flowers on the bush.Lots of flowers but not so many bees to see.Seems the red-ish flowers caught my eye.I wouldn’t be surprised if this was the same butterfly that kept coming back to the bushes, much to my delight.Back he came again.And again.It seems his wing was damaged, but he flew around at will anyhow.A sweet angel for Easter.And this charming castle always makes me smile.The statue is done now, no ‘crime scene tape’ around it anymore.The little waterfalls in the shade are so hard to capture.I took a picture of the gazing ball and someone was gazing back at me.
I hope all had a peaceful Easter, with family and friends. Time just keeps passing…
I had to go to the bank the other day, and since it’s practically next door to the Spring Hill Botanical Gardens a stop seemed in order. But, unfortunately, the butterflies weren’t very plentiful while the no-see -ems certainly were. Consequently it was a quick trip, but not so quick that I didn’t notice all the changes that they have been making at the garden. First of all this sculpture, which is in progress. At the base of the wing you see a disruption in the tree trunk, which I’m sure is why the tree was sacrificed and this sculpture is being made. A beautiful solution. I hope it will be finished the next time I’m here.
Not everything was new however, just seemingly rearranged enough to make it look new. Namely the castle in the feature photo, I hadn’t ever seen it from that side before. I liked that picture.
I love this little scene and take a shot of it every time I go here, but I never sit down.I suspect that this is a moth, they only flying insect that posed for me.Just one of a few angels…Looking for dew on the flowers…This little scene is one I wish I could walk into and sit a while.
By this time my ankles were so itchy that I was ready to leave. I need to actually use the bug spray that is always in my car, but I forget it’s there. I’m hoping that the hot weather will let up soon, it has been keeping me close to home for a while now. I shouldn’t complain, soon we will be enjoying the weather that drew us to move to Florida in the first place…
Not too long ago I was at the Nature Coast Botanical Garden when the model train was running. The conductor said that his grandchildren were coming soon so he had to hurry up and finish his work on the train village. I think he did a great job. And the last time I was at the botanical garden the shrubs had just been cut back, so there were very few flowers and not so many butterflies. My how things have changed in a few weeks.
The village is next to the waterfall these days.And this little house along side the waterfall looks inviting.I love the church garden.The flowers are lovely.And so are the butterflies.Cactus buds reaching for the sky.This one is past it’s prime.A natural bouquet.I must be drawn to pink flowers.And lastly a zebra butterfly, there were many of them.
A Snowbird's Life Through the Lens 