Spring is here, at last!

Even the bees are excited.

Calendar: December 2009

Winter Wonderland at the Chicago Botanic Garden. That is a replica of the B'nai Temple.

Reindogs 2008

Went to the Reindog Parade at the Chicago Botanic Garden this weekend; unfortunately the super-cold weather this year cast a chilly pall over the proceedings. Most of the poor little dressed-up pups were so cold they were either wrapped up in their owner's arms or walking on the snowy frozen ground with miserable expressions on their faces. I did get a few shots that I liked, though.

It is true, about owners and dogs looking alike; these two long, lean loners fit together perfectly!



Two little angels, swaddled


As my friend Robbie said, "His face shows the excitement in his heart." Poor sweet thing!


I love the look on his face here too.


Princess Fussy Britches

African Daisies, in all the stages of blooming

The first time I've seen a grouping in all the different stages of bloom. The curled-in petals are the last stage, and the wide-open traditional daisies on the bottom are the first.

If I were a kid again

If I were a kid again I could go to camp and make construction paper chains and staple them to a paper plate and watch them swing in the summer breeze, instead of going to an office and staring out the windows longingly.

Although, who am I kidding? When I was a kid I liked to stay inside and curl up on the couch and read or watch TV and wait for my mom or grandmother to yell at me to go outside already and play in the sun while it was still nice out. I would do it better if I could do it again. I think. :)

Echinacea, or purple coneflower

Gargoyle Fountain, Spring Edition

Remember this photo?

This is what it looks like in the spring.



Taken at the English Walled Garden at the Chicago Botanic Garden. I am due for another visit soon!

Baby Blue Eyes

So delicate and so cheerful!



Just looking the white version, they just looked...white. It wasn't until I aimed the camera very close that I could see the purple speckles on the petals.

Like, wow. Totally.

This aster looks tie-dyed to me, especially when viewed larger.

Short-season beauties

During this time of year, there are many flowers with very short seasons, ones that I will see everywhere at the Botanic Garden one week, but will be gone for the year by the next weekend. Here are a few of my favorites that I spotted last weekend:

Lilies of the Valley.


Bleeding Hearts.


Allium (globe onions). These will be in full bloom by next week.


Colombine. (I always see the signs for this, but never the actual flowers. Caught 'em this year!)

Two for Wednesday

African Daisy


One of the few so far that have fully curled its petals. They should be in full bloom everywhere in a week or two.


Bird Bath


I love the drops of water flinging into the air.

Aster close-up

The spring flowers are giving way to the summer ones at the Botanic Garden. I think I'll be spending more time there this summer than I did last. I've really missed it!

Spring Trees in Bloom

Blooming trees only last a few weeks in the spring, but they are gorgeous when they're here! We see them everywhere, especially the small trees along the train station and downtown and down our street. They've just started to turn into green this week, so I was glad I captured a few shots at the Botanic Garden before they were gone for the year.

On Evening Island, by the carillon tower


Around the bridge to Evening Island


Crabapple Tree Row


Purple explosion by the greenhouse


Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

Bleeding Hearts on the vine

I've taken photos of bleeding hearts many, many times, but they've always been close-ups like these. This is what they look like on the vine.





In a week or two, this will all be back to plain green foliage, but right now, it's quite amazing to stumble across patches like these.

Tulips: Gold, Peach and White

Sensory Garden: Color

This is probably the last weekend for tulips at the Chicago Botanic Garden. I'm glad I got there when I could!

Almost seasonal set

After all these years of photographing the Chicago Botanic Garden, it appears I am still missing an autumn shot of this path. I will rectify that this year.

Spring. Taken in May 2008.



Summer. Taken in June 2007.



Winter. Taken in December, 2006.


Seasonal sets are among my favorite things to photograph. I'm open to new suggestions of sets to create!

Spring Tulips

The Chicago Botanic Garden knows how to do tulips right! I love the variety of colors in this bed.

Reindogs 38-42: The Pug Collection

This last set is for my husband, who loves pugs most of all.



Poor little thing was so cold, he was shivering in his owner's coat most of the morning.



Could someone wipe my nose please?



Perfect, thanks!



It's like looking in a mirror. Spooky!



Okay, I kind of get my husband's point. This one is terribly cute.

Hope you enjoyed the whole Reindog series (all are available to view here.)

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Reindogs 31 - 37: Not quite a sleigh full of reindeers

But awfully close! There will be one more Reindog post tomorrow, but I wanted to make sure all these fine pups got their due notice.



"OMG it's Christmas Eve! It's Christmas Eve! I'm so excited!"




A Navaho blanket is Christmas-LIKE, isn't it? But he was plenty warm!



His Christmas bow was on the other side. But I couldn't get a good shot of this gorgeous dog from the other side.



What a sweet old pup.



The pink of this boxer's wings matches the pink of his eyes and snout, doesn't it?



The hat is seriously adorable.



Remember poor Max, the loyal dog in "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas", who was burdened down with a fake antler on his head and who had to pull the sleigh with all the stolen loot? Doesn't he look just like Max? Hee!

Check back tomorrow for the last of the Reindogs! It's been a fun month.