Sunday, May 27, 2012

Missouri Botanical Garden

I have heard many great things about the Missouri Botanical Garden and they are all true!  I flew into St Louis for a short visit to Missouri and was able to spend a couple of hours in the garden.  It is one of the best botanical gardens I have ever seen and I recommend it highly.  Here is the front entrance and they were preparing for the Chinese Lantern Festival.
Missouri Botanical Garden Entrance with Chinese Lanterns, Dragon Pillars Gate

Dragons Embracing the Pillar in Latzer Fountain, Spoehrer Plaza

Dragon in Latzer Fountain, Spoehrer Plaza

I would like to go back to the garden at night and see the Chinese lanterns with the their lights on. 
Moonlit Pathway

Goddess Blessing Buddha

Lotus Flowers

Chihuly glass on top of the gate and Lotus lanterns in the garden

Double Seventh Festival

Climatron Conservatory and Four-Faced Buddha Lantern
The Climatron is the geodesic dome conservatory behind the four buddah lantern.  It is one of the best conservatories I have ever seen.  The interior is laid out very well with a single path that goes through out the conservatory.  There is a excellant collection of plants from the tropical rain forest.

Hibiscus

Bromeliads and Ferns

Chihuly Glass sculpture in Water Cabbages

Cycad

Begonias
Begonia

Begonia

Begonia

Ginger

Cycad

Heliconia


Staghorn Ferns, Bromeliads and Orchids

Poison Dart Frog

The Shoenberg Temperate House hugs the north side of the Climatron.

Shoenberg Temperate House


Shoenberg Temperate House


Shoenberg Temperate House

Assorted carniverous plants


S. leucophylla, Pitcher Plant

Looking down into another pitcher plant
A fine looking Corpse Plant.  Be sure to stick your nose into the bloom!
English Woodland Garden
Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas


Blanke Boxwood Garden
Porcelain Dragon
The Garden’s Porcelain Dragon is created from tens of thousands of Chinese cooking utensils – bowls, spoons, bottles, wine cups and more, brought together through traditional handtying techniques.

Porcelain Dragon


Porcelain Dragon

Porcelain Dragon

Porcelain Dragon

Porcelain Dragon


Chihuly glass in the main entrance

I'm ready to go back to the Missouri Botanical Garden.  We were only there for a few hours before it closed.  I know that there is more to see.  Although we were there for only a short time, I'm glad we went.  I've spent more time in other botanical gardens and saw far less.  If you would like to learn more abou the Missouri Botanical Garden, click on the link below.
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Another Dove Nesting in the Garden

Here is another Dove nesting in a hanging basket in Terra's garden.


Here are some pictures I took in Terra's garden.










Monday, April 23, 2012

Baby Doves

There are at least two nests of baby doves in the garden and near our house.  These two birds are in a nest that is built in a plant tray under the house.  Mike found them and took this picture.
Mourning Dove,

And I found this egg shell under our parking structure.  The nest is up between a couple of beams and the parents sitting on the nest.  I'd would take a picture but it will disturb the birds.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

First Oriole for 2012!

I've had the BirdCam set up in front of this feeder for two weeks, waiting for the Orioles to arrive.  This afternoon the BirdCam videoed the first Oriole to show up in the garden.  No other pictures of Orioles, just this one video.