I have enjoyed nature and it's beauty for as long as I can remember. Photographing it to share is a new hobby. I still have much to learn. Any helpful hints and constructive criticism is always welcome.


I will try to post new items weekly so check back. It is my pleasure to share nature's gifts with you. I find myself amazed at some of the beauty I find while out for a walk.


Feel free to use any postings for personal use. Uses for monetary gains are strictly prohibited.


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"Just living is not enough." said the butterfly. "One must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower."

- Hans Christian Anderson

I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.

-John Burroughs

Friday, November 5, 2010

Missouri Botanical Gardens


The Missouri Botanical Garden


The dome contains tropical plants and a dinosaur exhibit.  The kids loved it and the park hosts birthday parties here.
 On a recent trip, I spent a few hours visiting the Missouri Botanical Gardens in St. Louis.  What a wonderful place!  I highly recommend it to everyone. 

They have three large water lily ponds and many smaller ones scattered about.  The lillies are in so many colors and combinations.  I never imagined there were so many different ones.  They also grow the giant ones native to Asia.  The pads are easily two feet in diameter with huge white flowers.  I included a few water lily pictures.  It was near noon when I visited and the sun's lighting was harsh.  Also, the lily flowers were often far from the edge where I could stand to photograph them.  I would have given almost anything to put on a pair of waders and get in the ponds for  some closesups!

Not only were the lillies wonderful, I was amazed at the types of gardens (Japanese, Chinese, Victorian, and many more), the variety of flowers, and the insects that were there.  Even a garter snake was seen slithering along a path.  I seen at least three weddings taking place on the day I was there.  It was a lovely place for that.

I am happy to share some of my photos.  I seen so much and took so many photos.  I think if I lived closer to this botanical garden, I would start a blog dedicated just to photos from there. 

Enjoy the photos, but being there in person is the best!  Make sure to bring your camera! 

Not the best shot, but I wanted to show the giant lillies.  They had blown glass balls of many colors and patterns floating in this pond with them.

This is the first blue water lily I had ever seen.  It was gorgeous!

Another beauty!

A Toad Lily.

A Blue Hairstreak Butterfly on a very unique milkweed that had red flowers with yellow centers.

A Skipper butterfly on verbena.  Butterflies and bees are everywhere in this garden.
The center of this lily almost seemed to glow like an ember.


Hope you get to visit this place soon!  See more about this place online at http://www.mobot.org/.


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1 comment:

  1. UnknownDecember 28, 2010 at 2:10 PM

    My Botany teacher said that his mom used to drop him and his brother off here while she shopped in the city. He said that he and his brother watched the man who took care of the lillies and that is what made him decide to go into Botany. I would love to go see it sometime! Thanks for sharing!

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