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!

Can Spring Be Far Away?

This week the temperatures are going to be in the 70's here in Tennessee as well as the Eastern United States. I wonder if Winter is really done or the warm temperatures are just a tease. Something tells me that we have not seen the last of Winter. I found this beautiful Japanese Magnolia bloom in my archives recently. Every time I pass over it I linger. It is so beautiful. I would love to be able to capture the Japanese Magnolia trees and the Crab Apple trees in bloom at Bernheim this Spring. Perhaps I can. Have a wonderful week. 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!

Japanese Magnolia, Bernheim Arboretum

As I made my way back to Nashville from Louisville, after a brief visit with family for the Easter holiday, I stopped for a visit at Bernheim Arboretum. I love to capture images of the Japanese Magnolias in bloom in early Spring. It was sad as frost had pretty much obliterated a great deal of the blooms. I walked around the trees snapping an image here, an image there. This particular bloom, as you can see, had a bit of frost bite too. I love to photograph flowers with a beautiful blue sky in the background. Sometimes I even position myself so that the perspective includes that gorgeous blue sky. It seems to give your image a boost. Have you been enjoying the beautiful Bradford Pears that have been in bloom for the last few weeks? Here in Hendersonville they were gorgeous. The Dogwoods should be in bloom soon it not already. I hope you are having a wonderful week. We have strong storms coming through late today. ENJOY!

Reflections, Cave Hill Cemetery

Several times a year I visit Cave Hill Cemetery which is located in the center of the city of Louisville. Cave Hill is not your average cemetery. It is actually a Victorian era cemetery and an arboretum and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There are over 120,000 people buried in the almost 300 acre cemetery with a signicant number of military as far back as the Civil War. It's an amazing place to visit. What I enjoy about this cemetery is not only the ornate headstones with their architecture and the sculptures adorning many of the headstones, but the many sizes and shapes. Some are large enough to be small houses. Did I mention the individual mausoleums scattered everywhere throughout the cemetery. Their fascinating, every one.

I visit Cave Hill Cemetery to see the beautiful ornamental trees and bushes of every variety imaginable which grow throughout the acreage. Spring is gorgeous with all of the flowering trees and bushes and flowers. Fall is just as beautiful with reds and oranges and yellows everywhere. This year my visit was a tad late and most of the foliage had fallen.

After driving through the entrance of the cemetery, I followed the map I had up on my iPad, and made my way to the back of the cemetery where a small lake sits hidden away from most visitors. A large limestone cliff butts up against the lake on all but one side. I had hopes that there might be a photo op there and as luck would have it, I was right. A beautiful tree covered in yellow leaves hung over the lake. Even better was the diffused light as the sun was hidden behind cloud cover which allowed for some beautiful reflections on the water.

Before I leave you, I might add that if you live anywhere in the central or northern United States, you have snow on the ground or are getting snow this week as we are here in Kentucky tonight. Fall has given way to Winter, in mid November no less, which is not typical, but not surprising after the Winter we had last year. I hope this finds you safe, warm and nestled warmly on the sofa with a warm drink in hand. I leave you with this parting thought. I did not want to become up close and personal with the 'polar vortex' but obviously I didn't get a vote. ENJOY!

Luck of the Irish to You

Bernheim's first Magnolia Hybrid trees are beginning to burst open with soft white blooms. Spring is showing definite signs of awakening with yellow Daffodils and purple Crocus.

Yet Winter continues to hold tight bringing cold temps and snow showers making its way across the Heartland. Hang on Spring as the warm breezes, the golden sunlight, the bright greens of new grasses and the vibrant colorful blooms will come. And least I forget, and in remembrance of my Mother's heritage which she gracefully left with me and mine, "Luck of the Irish to You", on this St. Patrick's Day Sunday. ENJOY!

Cherry Dogwood Buds

Although the skies were slightly overcast today, as I drove the usual parameter road around the Arboretum at Bernheim, I still managed to get out and take a few images, in particular of this beautiful Cornelian Cherry Dogwood. This particular Dogwood is indigenous of Europe and Western Asia. And I admit that I had never met its acquaintance in past visits to Bernheim. This is the first year I have driven up the Overlook Drive at Bernheim on an early Spring day. But I'm glad I did, because this was the only tree in the entire Arboretum that I found to be in the midst of bursting open with these gorgeous bright yellow blossoms. That's not to say there aren't lots of trees ready to burst open.

Last year Kentucky experienced quite an early Spring. During this same week last year I was photographing the Magnolia Hybrids in bloom. Not so this year. Spring is taking its 'ol sweet time. But that's OK, as I'm perfectly happy photographing this beautiful Cherry Dogwood. A few more weeks and Spring will be in full swing. I realize some of you folks are under siege by the fierce winter storm dumping more snow in the Rockies. And I know many of you are still shoveling out from the winter storm that dumped heavy snow on the Eastern seaboard and New England last week. I feel your pain. Here in Kentucky we are going to 'Spring Forward' tonight and lose an hour on our clocks. We'll have to adjust our body clocks as well. But tomorrow we'll find the light of day lasting later into the evening. I like the sound of that. Hope you are having a fantastic weekend whether you're shoveling snow or on the hunt for Spring blooms or just hanging out on the couch. ENJOY!

Holiday Quote

On a recent visit to Bernheim, while strolling along the Sun and Shade Trail in the Arboretum, I captured this image of the tiniest of pine cones growing on a Canadian Hemlock tree. The smell was nothing less than heavenly. Especially at this time of year, many of us are known to wax nostalgic at the fantastic and wonderful aspects that the holiday season brings to mind. This quotes touches on many of those aspects that are near and dear to my heart. ENJOY!

Red Maple Leaves

What more can you say about gorgeous red Maple leaves.

Words don't do it justice. ENJOY!