Agaves, Cheekwood Botanical Gardens

Last year in Fall Cheekwood featured gorgeous Agave plants in their Fall Festival. I hope they return this year as they were gorgeous. Here's a few pics to wet your whistle.

These are Blue American Agave plants surrounded by blue flower beds. I'm not sure what that blue flower is, but it's a gorgeous display.

The varigated Agaves were planted next to yellow and orange Chrysanthemums. Wouldn't this look great in a yard for Fall. Notice the pumpkins scattered throughout this particular display.

When I Googled Agaves, including the various varieties featured here, I noticed several images where the Agave plants are planted in long rows in Mexico. No doubt so they can grow big and be exported to America. It's a rainy week here in Tennessee, but at least the high temperatures are gone. Although we still have a fair amount of humidity to contend with. I did some Fall decorating yesterday. I can't hardly wait for the cooler season to come and relieve us of all of this heat and humidity. ENJOY!

A Walk through Cheekwood - Happy Easter!

Come take a walk with me as I take in the flowers blooming in the Robert Ellis Color Garden at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens. This gorgeous garden was adorned with red and yellow Tulips in every size and variety that the landscapers could possibly imagine.

Visitors may have surrounded me as I meandered along the garden path, but it was as though I were totally alone in the universe, as I took in every vibrant red and stunning yellow Tulip popped open with sunshine diving deep into its inner beauty.

The deep reds and yellows were laden with black centers and large stamens. The varieties of Tulips was astounding with single and double and even peony shaped Tulips all around.

Oh, Cheekwood how you out did yourself on this glorious Bloom Fest celebration.

Every Spring I attempt to capture the beauty of the Crepe Myrtles as they stand sentinel keeping a watchful eye over the stunning blooms around them.

Tulips, Daffodils, Hyacinths, Jonquils, Petunias. Thank you Cheekwood for a glorious Bloom Fest. I take my hat off to you!!

I wish each and every one of you a very peaceful and Happy Easter. May your day be filled with sunshine and bright blue skies. And may all the wonders of Easter surround you. Whether it be chocolate bunnies and dyed eggs or a sit down feast of scrumptious baked ham with all the trimmings, I wish everyone peace and joy on this glorious day of Resurrection. ENJOY!

Cheekwood Bloom Fest 2019 ... Lavender and Purple Hues

What a headline! Just hang on because we're talking purple and lavender hues. A feast for your eyes!

This is a double flowering Tulip called Tulip Blue Wow. Where it got this name, I haven't a clue. But the Wow part of the name definitely says it all for me.

Say 'hello' to a gorgeous deep Burgundy Lace Tulip. I don't know which I love more, the deep burgundy hue or the lace tips that look slightly cut into the flower.

Purple Hyacinths and yellow Tulips, what more can one ask for. A stunning garden display that sits behind the Botanical Hall in the Robert Ellis Color Garden.

Capturing the full sun lit lavender Tulips was a challenge. So I bent down and snap a few pics of the Tulips with the sun shining in front and my pics snapped from behind. This is the result. You be the judge.

The Purple Hyacinth and orange Violets were a big hit on my Facebook page. You just never know what will inspire people. Matters not, because all I want is to inspire whether it's a purple Hyacinth or a waterfall. Inspiration is all I'm looking for.

Searching far and wide, I never found the name of this Tulip and failed to check the garden marker. Many of the flower petals stood wide open offering up a bird's eye view of the inside and the stamen. So gorgeous.

Cheekwood Botanical Gardens is situated just south of Nashville proper and today is the last day of Cheekwood's Bloom Fest featuring many, many, many species of Tulips, as well as Hyacinths, Jonquils, Violets and more.

I had hoped to find some cloud cover when I arrived yesterday based on the meterologist's forecast, but instead found full sun. It can be quite difficult to capture the best images in full light when shooting flower photography. Don't let that stop you. Inspiration lies in every single petal you capture.

 I hoped you enjoyed this journey through the purple and lavender hues of Bloom Fest this year. I'll come back soon with gorgeous red and yellow Tulips. You won't want to miss that. ENJOY!

Waterlily Garden at Gibbs, Kentucky Woman Series

As promised here is the next installment in my Kentucky Woman Series. Wondering just what the Kentucky Woman Series means.

Having lived in Tennessee for three years, I decided to pay homage to my home state of Kentucky.

So I am bringing you a series of posts featuring a particular subject in various images from this Kentucky woman.

Today's post hails from beautiful Gibbs Gardens which is situated about an hour northeast of Atlanta in northern Georgia. 

I have to say, this botanical garden is one of the most beautiful gardens I have ever visited.

I traveled to Gibbs Gardens on a hot Summer's day in mid August. The temperatures hovered in the middle 80's, however, the humidity was low on this particular day. Did I mention I watched and waited for a sunny, but less humid span of a couple of days to make the drive to Georgia to view the gardens.

It was as good a day as I was going to get for mid August in northern Georgia, but it turned out to be a nice day. I captured several of these images in midday when I visited the Waterlily Garden the first time. .

Then after visiting other areas of Gibbs, I walked back over to the Waterlily Garden a second time, before I left for the day. So without further fanfare, here are some of the purple Waterlily images I captured on that visit

I would like to say I could identify the exact names for all of these beautiful flowering Waterlilies, but sadly I come up short in that department. I hope you will forgive me.

At one point during my photo session, a Dragonfly decided to fly in for a brief sit down so I captured a few images of him taking a breather. I absolutely love Dragonflies.

These images feature the blue and purple hues in bloom on this bright sunny day at Gibbs. These particular hues are my favorite ones I love to photograph when I'm capturing images of Waterlilies.

For good measure, I thought I would throw in a close up of this purple Waterlily bloom. Gads, what gorgeous flowers. It's hard to imagine all of these images are different Waterlilies, but they are.

There are many gardens at Gibbs to say the least. However, the Waterlily Garden, where I captured these images, turned out to be my favorite. My second favorite was the Japanese Garden. I wished I could describe how gorgeous the Japanese Garden was. Perhaps, another Kentucky Woman Series post is in order to show you some of the beautiful greenery from my visit to that garden. The Weeping Willows with their hanging branches, coupled with the Japanese sculpture featured throughout that garden, was stunning.

I have fallen in love with botanical gardens. Soon, I hope to visit Cheekwood. I would have made the drive over to Nashville by now, but bronchitis had other plans. But, I am back in fighting form again so I hope to pay a visit there soon. I hope you enjoy these images. I loved capturing them. ENJOY!

A Beautiful Waterlily and an Update

Just a quick note to let you know I am still kicking. I have been on a break while I battle this incredulous bronchitis that I've had for over 2 1/2 weeks now. Hopefully, it's on the way out. I dream of being outdoors and taking photos, but dreams are it for now as I haven't ventured out much in weeks especially since most days the pollen count is very high. I have been following your blogs and hope all is well. ENJOY!

The Beauty of the Southern Magnolia

There is only one Magnolia tree I consider more beautiful than the Japanese Magnolias, like the ones I photograph at Bernheim Arboretum in Kentucky. That Magnolia is the Southern Magnolia tree. It's huge Magnolia blooms are unmatched. The farther south you travel, the more Southern Magnolias you encounter, which is why I am finding them in abundance here in Tennessee, and in and around Nashville.

As I traveled around the city and the outskirts last year, I kept an eye out for beautiful Magnolia blooms, but never really found any until I happened out my back door. One afternoon while taking a brief walk, I discovered Southern Magnolias all along the back of the building next to the sidewalk. I went inside and grabbed my camera and snapped photo after photo. The blooms were perfect and gorgeous. I noticed the trees were growing in other pathways around the complex.

Southern Magnolias are found all throughout the southeast United States and even more so the farther south you travel. And while the grounds under the trees are a mess with their fallen leaves and blooms, I have to say the Southern Magnolia is my favorite bloom. I captured these images last year out back, but only shared one of the photos. Today seemed like the perfect day to post these gorgeous blooms.

Soon Dogwoods will be in full bloom and shortly after the Southern Magnolias will bloom. It's odd Southern Magnolias bloom in the Summer. And sad too as once the temperatures hit a sweltering high, the blooms immediately wilt. Sad, but there you have it.

Did I mention it's snowing outside today. No accumulation is expected. Just some snow flurries passing through on their way East. With the temperatures in the mid thirties, Cheekwood in Bloom festivities were cancelled and admission is being offered at half price today. Baby, it's cold outside. Oh, Spring! Where art though? ENJOY!

LINKING TO The Scoop at Stonegable

Pansy Perfection and Turn Off the Spigot Please

Pansies are the quintessential Spring bloom. These beautiful, bright and colorful flowers are seen everywhere right now. This beauty is called an Icicle Pansy. Seriously, I have not a clue where it got it's name. I have never planted Pansies before in my planters. Every year I consider it and every year I end up choosing Geraniums instead. I love red Geraniums. They attract Hummingbirds which is a plus. I used to plant Petunias every year, but as our Summer months grew hotter, and eventually morphed into sweltering, I found Geraniums withstood the hotter months of Summer better than Petunias. Although I haven't met a Petunia I didn't love.

This variation of Pansy is called Blue Frost. Again, not a clue where it got its name. I love the bold explosion of color in the center, but I like Icicle Pansies more. I think the yellow is more appealing with the blue. I captured these colorful blooms at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens in Nashville several Springs back when I visited during their Cheekwood in Bloom festival.

Can I change the subject now? Oh, my God. Could someone turn off the spigot. It has rained and rained and rained and rained here in Tennessee. I kid you not. It has been raining since the middle of February and we're going into the first of April. There are so few sunny days, there's no way to plan a trip to Cheekwood to see their beautiful Tulip display this Spring. I want to get over there and take in all the Tulips, but it's a scheduling dilemma when every day its raining and on the weekends too. I love that Spring is here and there's an explosion of blooms. Tulips, Daffodils, Pansies, Jonquils. You name it, it's blooming. Not to mention the trees in bloom. But could we get some sun please. ENJOY!

Among the Magnolias II: Kentucky Woman Series

Come along as we continue my Kentucky Woman Series. I want to share more of my time at Bernheim with you. I consider Bernheim sacred. I have spent many seasons visiting here. I have captured thousands of images of bees and birds and trees and flowers. I have photographed the colorful pink and yellow Japanese Magnolia blooms in Spring. I have hiked leaf strewn forest paths in Autumn. I have even driven the heavily laden snow covered road next to the arboretum in the dead of Winter. Every season at Bernheim has a story to tell and I have visited in every season to see that story told.

In Spring, the Canadian Geese and tiny Goslings swim around Lake Nevin. In Summer, the Yellow and Black Swallowtail Butterflies flit in and out of the Butterfly bushes. The Autumns, oh, the Autumns are especially gorgeous. The entire forest drive is a sea of yellow and orange with dots of red thrown in here and there. There are more gifts here given us by Mother Nature than any one person can count.

Today, I share images of the beautiful yellow Japanese Magnolias in bloom from past visits. It takes a tremendous amount of patience to wait as Winter's grip lets go and Spring begins to open up with its Daffodils and Crocus and Magnolia blooms. The reward is worth the wait. I captured these beautiful blooms on especially warm Spring days in the arboretum. The aroma from the Magnolia blossoms filled the air as I walked around the trees. It enveloped my senses and left me virtually intoxicated.

I especially love to peruse my archives after a visit in search of the best image to crop closely revealing the intricate details hidden in the center of the blossom. The Magnolia species has approximately 210 genus. These ancient flowers are said to have existed long before bees even evolved. Beetles are the main forager of these trees. Perhaps that is why their stamens and pistols are so tough. They need to be hardy to withstand the damage beetles can do. What's that old saying, beauty isn't everything.

When you walk among the Magnolias at Bernheim, you can't help but notice their craggy branches. They appear as ancient as the species itself. There are various species of yellow and pink Magnolias throughout the arboretum, in various sizes and shapes of blooms as well. I've witnessed each and every one. Thing is, I believe the largest and hardiest blooms open later than their far daintier counterparts.

I have a love affair with Mother Nature. I admit it. Bernheim only makes my love affair even more worth the while. This place is near and dear to my heart, and for long as I'm walking the face of this Earth, I will return here as often as time and distance allows.

I hope you will allow me to share a true story. I remember visiting Bernheim for the very first time on a field trip in elementary school. I sat at the picnic table and ate my lunch with all the other kids. Then afterwards we were allowed to wonder around the woods. Low and behold, I climbed high up on the hill above the picnic area, and became so enthralled with the woods that I nearly got left behind. Until a head count revealed someone was missing from the bus. I remember being up in the woods when I heard a voice from down below calling my name. I climbed back down the hill, and sure enough, I was the last passenger to get on the bus. This really happened. I kid you not. Could it be that even at an early age I knew this place was special.

I will forever be a Kentucky Woman in every sense of the word. And every time I write another post in this series, I am reminded of that. I thought this might be the last of my series, but I feel another installment could be in order. Stay tuned. ENJOY!

Linking to Stonegable The Scoop

Among the Japanese Magnolias: Kentucky Woman Series

For a brief few weeks in very early Spring, even before the first official day arrives, Bernheim Arboretum's Japanese Magnolia trees burst forth with a stunning display of color. Witnessing this event over the course of those weeks requires perseverance. As the old adage says, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

The first Japanese Magnolias customarily spring forth even before the other trees in the arboretum. These trees set among the other ornamental trees just outside the gates of the arboretum. As the earliest days of Spring approach, these particular trees ready themselves with vivid dark pink buds, ready to burst open, while the temperatures continue to fluctuate between Winter and Spring. The vivid pink Magnolia buds find their moment, at just the right temperature, and open to reveal glorious pink blooms.

As I walked among the arboretum trees in year's past, deep green fuzz appears as buds. Soon slick buds of varying pinks will adorn the craggy branches mixed in with the blossoms themselves. The sun and shade illuminates the petals revealing various hues of pink. Large clusters of Japanese Magnolia buds and blooms are present on every branch on every tree in a display of brilliant color.

One particular Spring the temperatures were especially mild leaving the beautiful Magnolia blossoms to linger on the branches. On that visit I walked among the trees, stopping at one point, as I realized something amazing. I took a breath and smiled. The pungent fragrance of Magnolia blossoms filled my senses. I gave thanks to the warmer temperatures for allowing the blossoms to give up such a magnificent aroma. Everything around me was enveloped in beauty to see and smell.

As a photographer, you want to take the most breath taking photos when you are capturing images of flowers. As blooms clung to branches wide open, the stamen inside revealed a landscape all its own. I attempted to capture its beauty as I came in close to the blossom snapping images. Some blossoms opened only slightly while others seemed to open as though to welcome you in.

Anxiously awaiting early Spring, with its varying degrees of temperatures, requires patience. Knowing the end result will be glorious buds, in various hues of lavender and pink, helps to ease the pain. Seeing the visual display of magnificent buds and blossoms and taking in the fragrant scent of Japanese Magnolias leaves you feeling as though you have experienced something truly magical. God surely planned it this way and I am so utterly happy he did. I hope you will plan a trip to Bernheim during this season. And I hope you will experience what I have in years past. I will be back with a second post on this subject. Only it will feature the hues of yellow that are displayed alongside the pink Japanese Magnolias. I hope you will come back. ENJOY!

Up Close With A Turk's Cap Lily

On the road to Clingman's Dome, which leads to the highest elevation in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, if you look very closely you just might catch a glimpse of the beautiful Turk Cap's Lily. If you are very lucky, you will find a spot to pull off the road to photograph them as I did on my recent visit.

Before my trek to the Smokies, I had read on the national park's Facebook page that the Turk's Caps were in bloom. I immediately wanted to photograph them. I didn't think I'd actually get to. So imagine my surprise when I found them in bloom along the road up to the summit of Clingman's Dome. The Turk's Cap Lily bloom in Summer in the higher elevations of the park. Since I rarely visit the Smokies in Summer, I had never made their acquaintance until this trip.

Along the road to Clingman's Dome I only saw one clump of Turk's Caps, but on the way back down there were several. Luckily I found a spot or two to pull off and capture these images. Needless to say, I was in my glory. Oddly enough, I thought I might see these flowers blooming along the road up to Newfound Gap, as that is a higher elevation too, but I didn't. We are having an 80's kind of weekend here in Nashville with an occasional scattered thunderstorm. Could it be that the 90 degree days are behind us. Wherever you are, I hope you are enjoying the weekend and your weather is cooperating. ENJOY!

Sunflowers, Batey Farms

Batey Farms is almost an hour from Hendersonville in Murfreesboro, here in middle Tennessee, as the locals call it so it was a trek, but I was aptly rewarded. The Sunflowers were in full bloom at the farm. The huge field they planted didn't make it through the rainy Spring, but about ten rows of Sunflowers did. I arrived right when the Sun was directly overhead giving me the best light of the day. Don't you just love when that happens. I love the huge green leaves that accompany each Sunflower.

Have you ever wondered how many Sunflower seeds each flower yields. No doubt the farmers can answer that question, but I haven't a clue. To think these gorgeous flowers bring such beauty to our world and to top it off give us delicious Sunflower seeds too. Isn't Mother Nature amazing.

Of the 200 some images I captured today, these are my favorites I am sharing. I love close ups of Sunflowers the most. One beautiful large Sunflower bloom is all I need to satify my thirst for the Sunflower, but I still tried to capture some images of numerous flowers. This is one of my favorites.

The heat and humidity today wasn't nearly to the degree of the past week which made being out in the middle of the Sunflower field a tad bit more bearable, although it was still hot. I hope you are staying cool here in the States with this 'heat wave' in full swing and no relief on the horizon. For those of you down South in the throws of a snowy Winter, stay warm. ENJOY!

Dogwoods at Bernheim

On my visit to Bernheim Saturday, I noticed quite a few Dogwood trees. I hadn't really noticed how many there were in year's past.

As I was driving up to the arboretum I saw this small Dogwood off in the distance. I love these trees in bloom with the bright green grasses having just sprouted for Spring. The sky was a beautiful blue with white fluffy clouds which made it all the better.

Soon all the Dogwood blooms will be gone for another year. Oh how I love them. Sadly, I missed the Japanese Magnolias and the Crab Apples this year. Perhaps next year.

Before reaching the arboretum on the perimeter drive, sits this small lake with a bridge across it. I noticed the Dogwoods up on the hill. The reflection of the bridge was almost perfect as the wind had died down and the water was very still. I hope you enjoyed the Dogwoods. The Crocus are gone. The Daffodils are gone. Soon the Tulips will be gone. And of course, the Dogwoods. Leaving us with Summer's flowers. Foxgloves and Roses and Daisies and Black Eyed Susan's. ENJOY!