I love my pretty city

From this weekend.

Spring is here, at last!

Even the bees are excited.

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!

Old Schoolin' It

Haven't done a flower post in a while, so here are some shots from the Anderson Japanese Garden in Rockford IL.

Irises around the pond



Faces to the sun


A welcoming entrance

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!

Spring Tulips

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

Spring Tulips

One of the few shots that weren't wildly overexposed during my last trip to the Chicago Botanic Garden. Just when I start to think I'm getting a handle on my photography, I pull a rookie move and don't check my settings or my exposure. Alas!

The French Quarter, as seen from the convent grounds

Almost looks more like Europe than it does an American city, doesn't it?

Blues on the River

A street performer in the French Quarter, New Orleans, spring 2008.

Verandas in New Orleans

The French Quarter in the spring. So pretty.

(Yes, I am back. I will try to post every day this week, I promise. I have New York and New Orleans photos to share!)

Spring in Central Park

The trees were starting to bloom in Central Park in New York on my birthday weekend.
We had yet ANOTHER snowstorm back in Chicago, two weeks later.
No fair!

Green Striped Tulips

I've never seen this color of tulips before!