Summer Tanager

Spending the afternoon walking around Cheekwood Botanical Gardens was a treat today. It was such a beautiful day with blue skies and fluffy white clouds and plenty of sunshine. Very, very few visitors were at the gardens so I felt like I had it all to myself. I took a stroll to the Willis Perennial Garden which I have only visited one other time. As I approached the garden, I looked up finding myself face to face with a gorgeous red bird. No sooner than we had made each other's acquaintance, he flew away.

Taking note of where he flew off to, I walked over to the opposite side of the flower garden in his direction. He was already busy flying down, grabbing something and flying off to a branch nearby. I thought he was a Scarlet Tanager, but later discovered he wasn't. He was a Summer Tanager. A bird I will happily add to my Life List. I watched him intently drop down a second time and grab a bug and fly off to a nearby branch.

I read on All About Birds that the male Summer Tanager is the only completely red bird in North America. The female isn't red either, but rather she is a mustard yellow. Odd. Summer Tanagers migrate as far south as the middle of South America in Winter. What's so remarkable about these birds is how they literally catch bees and wasps 'on the wing' snatching them up without getting stung. I hope you enjoyed this bright spot in my day. And I hope you are having a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. Back soon.

European White Waterlily

The star of the show. That is the only way I could describe this beautiful European White Waterlily as it sat afloat on the pond's surface with it's huge green Lily pads surrounding it. The reflection in the water was almost as beautiful as the Lily itself. Amazingly, every photographer around was at some point standing post with their tripod near the water's edge capturing image after image. Hence, the 'star' of the show.

I don't know what my favorite Waterlily would be should I choose one from all of the images I captured on my journey to Gibbs Gardens. There were such gorgeous varieties everywhere. The blues and purples, however, were the most stunning. Warm colors always are, don't you agree. On another note this weekend is supposed to be stellar and I have decided to plan a trek to Cheekwood to take in their Mums display. The word on the street is they have a cottage made out of pumpkins and I surely must photograph it, not to mention the S

Linking to Foodie Friday & Everything Else

Photographing a Landscape

Photographing a landscape image, and especially one in portrait can be difficult. At Cheekwood Botanical Gardens, in south Nashville, as I walked among the gardens filled with lush, beautiful Tulips in reds and oranges and yellows, I came upon this scene. My eye ran from one array of Tulips to the next moving slowing up the hill and finally my eye went up to the gorgeous Fir trees in the distance. Do you suppose the landscape designers and the gardeners who labored as they planted each bulb, knew this is exactly what they had hoped one would do? What a visionary if that was the case. My work was already done in capturing this perspective. All I need do was choose just where to position my lens to capture the essence of this scene. Just as I snapped the image, I realized too that the sun had gone behind a cloud. I was glad, because if I had taken the image with the sun shining, there may have been hot spots obscuring the beautiful Tulips. I hope I did the landscape designers justice with this capture.

I posted this image on a smaller scale. If you can't see it in its entirely on your viewing frame, click on the image and it will go to fill frame. I hope you are enjoying the weekend and your weather is as wonderful as mine is right now. As I am writing this post a Purple Finch landed on my patio, sat for a mere few seconds, and then, just as quickly as he came, he flew away. I so love Spring. Back soon. ENJOY!

Linking to Foodie Friday and Everything Else

Tulips & Hyacinths

On my last visit to Cheekwood, I encountered a gorgeous flower garden filled with bright yellow Tulips and pink Hyacinths. The second I caught a glimpse of this garden, thoughts of Easter began to conjure up in my mind. It was the perfect abode to Easter what with Sunday being the holiday. Hyacinths were originally from the Middle Eastern countries. Something I did not know until I looked up the flower itself online. Also during the Victorian era, Hyacinths were revered for their long lingering fragrance.

Those violets, if that is the flower they are, tucked throughout the entire garden made for an amazing display. While I have never been and never will be a gardener, I honestly have to say I am amazed to think of all of the work that goes into each individual garden. At every turn in the walkway, there is a different colored flower featured, not to mention a different species altogether, and then with the other flowers tucked in throughout, it surely is a big job tending to these gardens. In my opinion, the most beautiful displays are very close to the front of the botanical gardens especiallly around the Bradford Robertson Color Garden and the Botanical Hall.

There is a walkway lined with Crepe Myrtles near the Botanical Hall. Last year I was able to capture images of gorgeous yellow and red Tulips blooming all throughout those Crepe Myrtles. However, it was too early this year. If you missed that post from last year, simply go here.

Cheekwood Botanical Gardens is a truly remarkable place to visit as are most botanical gardens. There are gardens within Cheekwood that have become increasingly familiar to me. Yet, I don't think I will ever be as fond of any place as I am Bernheim, perhaps if for no other reason than it is close to home for me being right outside Louisville. It is in the sixties with lots of sunshine here this weekend. I am exhausted from work due to numerous deadlines, but I am hoping to get outdoors none the less. I wish for you is a fabulous weekend. ENJOY!

Cheekwood In Bloom

As Spring approached, I anxiously awaited the colorful Tulips as they began to bloom at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens. It is Easter weekend and I thought it no more appropriate time to offer a special post featuring these vibrant blooms. There are Tulips virtually at every turn as you walk around the gardens surrounding the Botanical Hall.

I am especially in love with the Crepe Myrtles that grow year round around the hall as well. The smooth multi hued bark attracts you like a bee to honey. Coupled with the multi colored Tulips in Spring, there is no better combination of color and texture.

Cheekwood features a variety of shrubs, bushes, trees and flowers throughout all of the many different types of gardens. But my favorite garden has to be the Robert Ellis Color Garden which is situated right behind the Botanical Hall. If you are an avid follower, you know how I am drawn to the vibrant gorgeous color in flowers and blooming trees. There is nothing more special in nature to me than seeing a plant come to life with color. It just makes me smile.

I wanted to leave you with this last image which features a special variety of Tulip. With its deep red and the slightest hint of yellow stripe on the outer edge of each pedal, it is truly exceptional. Perhaps that is why this variety was named World Peace.

This week has been a difficult week with the terrorist attacks having taken place in Belgium. The attacks touched the lives of Americans here in the States, not to mention so many people throughout the entire world. When I paused to capture these images of this gorgeous flower array, I thought of all of the people affected by violence and terror. It touches every person in some way throughout their lifetime. For many it brings anguish, not to mention heartbreak, sadness, despair, and especially fear. I wish for everyone on this special weekend a wonderful and peaceful Easter. No matter how you choose to celebrate this special time, know that God is all around us and we must find peace in every part of our lives. ENJOY!

Linking toFoodie Friday and Everything Else and Dwellings