The butterflies are blooming

Every year at Meijer Gardens in March and April, the butterflies bloom. I love that time of the year. I head out there several times even if it is only for an hour or so (memberships are great). These didn't pop in exactly in the order I wanted but it really makes no difference.

This little guy seemed really intent on letting me take his picture. I think I took about a dozen.

I've only had one person be able to tell me what this is. I know. Do you?

Pretty cool flower. I think it is something new out there.

I tried a new "filter" on this one. It is called Posterization. Sure changed the original photo.

This one is probably my favorite one. It has gotten the most comments for the folks at work.

I have all these photos cycling through on my screens. It is so much fun to share my photos with others.

A long time coming

It was brought to my attention last night that it had been 3 months since I last posted.  Boy time sure flies.  Much has happened since the last post: a couple of vacations, a stay in the hospital (while on vacation) from which I have completely recovered, Thanksgiving weekend with a trip to OH, a big snow storm today for our first significant snow of the season.  There was anywhere from 4” to 15” in the area depending on where the measurement was taken.  I got maybe 7” or 8”. 

A couple weeks ago was the first night of the Christmas tree display at Meijer Gardens.  One of my favorite exhibits of the year there.  The other is the butterfly exhibit in March/April.  It was a great night for photography and I had a great time.

The above picture was taken in the conservatory part of the gardens.  That’s also where the butterflies come alive in the Spring.

This is a section of the lights in the ceiling of the restaurant.  Pictures don’t do them justice at all.

 

One of the many trees inside the building.  I think there are about 50 trees on display.  Each is decorated for a country. Can’t read the sign for the country this one represents.

 

I had rained off and on most of the day so the walkways were wet and reflected the lights perfectly for taking pictures.  The rain had stopped and the temp was not too bad.

 

Leonard DaVinci’s American Horse is probably my favorite sculpture in the gardens.  I have no idea how many pictures I have of it taken at various times throughout the year.

Another sculpture in the gardens is this one of Fred and Lena Meijer.  The gardens are named for them.  They have donated a very large amount of money for the gardens and continue to do so.

 

Meijer Gardens

The butterflies are in bloom at the gardens.  I've been out there once to take some pictures.  Tried to go out again on Saturday but it was jam-packed.  I may go again Good Friday.  I have the day off.

This was my evening project tonight.

 

I sure wish I had thought and got an email or something for this guy.  I love the picture.  The little girl is holding their ticket into the gardens.  I shot this through a tree from quite a distance away.  Telephotos are great.

A Beautiful Day

Today is a perfect day!  It was our first 70 degree day since last October.  The humidity was log and there was a nice breeze.  A great day to be outside.  So after work, a friend and I went to Meijer Gardens to view the butterfly exhibit and walk the trails through the gardens.  Being a sunny day, the butterflies were very active.  One of the butterflies we wanted to find was the Clear Wing.  Thanks to one of the visitors there, we found one.  Because they have clear wings and are not very big, they can be very hard to find.  Nope, no pictures this time.  Hopefully I'll get back out there before the exhibit is over (end of April) and get some more butterfly pics. 

Once outside, it was sooooo beautiful.  We walked around the sculpture park but didn't take them all in.  Time was a factor.  Then we walked around the farm house and barn and took the boardwalk at the edge of the pond and enjoyed the guess, swans and ducks.  I so enjoy the gardens.  Can't wait until more flowers besides the daffodils, pansies and miniature iris are in bloom.