These were another favorite in my garden; now I enjoy them during my walks in Lincoln Park, Chicago.
Macro photograph of the delicate, small, Cranesbill flowers and buds. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Wild Geranium (Cransebill) is late spring/early summer perennial native to the Chicago area. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg.
Couldn’t leave out the Bonnet House’s beloved Spider Monkeys from my collection of images. I only saw two of the three remaining monkeys that live freely on this property. They are old and so sighting them is treasured by volunteers and staff and visitors. they are the remaining generation of monkeys brought to the estate by the Bartletts. The Bartletts brought many kinds of tropical plants as well as parrots and monkeys to brighten their summer home, the Bonnett House.
The monkeys will not be replaced because of laws against such practice, of which I have no argument. The volunteers feed them each morning making seeing them easiest in those early morning hours. I will treasure these images more when they are no longer apart of Bonnet House.
Easy to love from a distance. A Bonnet House Spider Monkey. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
One of the treasured Spider Monkeys of Bonnet House, Ft. Lauderdale Florida. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Is this what some mean when they become worried about letting immigrants into our country? They do tend to forget how this country was founded. And that perhaps they became the invasive subjects when they naturalized and literally choked out the native American Indians. Or perhaps, because they know this, they fear it may happen again and they’ll become the minority. Ok, enough politics tonight…
Anyway, the Oyster Plant (Tradescantia spathacea), is a popular Florida garden plant which has become naturalized and “gone wild”.
This bit of color in the shady part of the garden was at the Bonnet House in Ft. Lauderdale.
Close-up image of the Oyster Plant bringing color to the shady part of this garden. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Overall image of Oyster Plant in it’s setting in the interior courtyard at the Bonnet House. CLICK the image above for more information on the Oyster Plant. Coyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
All images were taken at Billy’s Swamp Safari site on the Seminole Reservation, Florida. I have no reservations about recommending that you visit this amazing place. Include in your visit the AhTahThiKi Museum also located in their Reservation; Clewiston, Florida.
View from the quaint restaurant in Billy’s Swamp Safari. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
From a distance these bovine were having lunch. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Never ending beauty. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Great Egret stands out among browned winter grasses. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
The overal scene looks so much like an untouched prairie; greens are flourishing and going on for miles and miles. The sky is never ending. A vulture scans for lunch. This prairie is wild; no telephone lines or roads interupt it’s untamed beauty.
But on closer inspection, or if you remember you’re on “Aligator Alley”, a part of I75, you see evidence that this isn’t even a wetland prairie swam or bog. It’s much wetter and is infact part of the Florida Everglades. Take the closer look into this profound region.
“Prairie” grasses with wide open skies; NOT. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Hint: Great Egrets are not found in prairies. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Alligators are definitely not a part of a prairie habitat. They do bask in the sun next to water while they await their next meal. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
The Snowy Egret takes off to continue it’s hunt for food in Florida’s Everglades. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Restored Midwestern prairie land of wild grasses and Rudbeckia and many other wondrous natives. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Black eyed Susans, aka Rudbeckia , indicates that summer is well under way in the U.S. heartland, the prairie. Illinois is the “prairie state” yet less than 10% of virgin prairie lands remain. This piece of prairie is part of a restoration project, West Ridge Nature Preserve on Chicago’s north-east side. In Chicago one does not have to travel far to pretend they are a part of a time long ago; the stuff of good summertime daydreams.
Wilderness haven inside Lincoln Park, Chicago. Copyright 2017, Pamela Breitberg
Behind the black wire barrier, a volunteer pulls weeds, non-native species, from an area restricted to non-human entrants. This sectioned-off part of Lincoln Park is one of several “Migratory Bird Sanctuaries” in the park. The designated space has earthen trails around its perimeter providing a wilderness reprieve for the urban weary. The space is comparatively small, but time spent here is relevantly grand.
Beautiful spring wildflower blooming along the trail. Copyright 2017, Pamela Breitberg
Macro view of the lovely Dandelion. Copyright 2016, Pamela Breitberg
Dandelion in the lawn. Copyright 2016, Pamela Breitberg
Now, back to nature. Here’s a couple of images of the “lions” that roam freely (and aggressively) in our lawns. The Dandelion (Taraxacum), as a flower, is pretty; take a close look.
Urban City patterns and designs. Copyright 2016, Pamela Breitberg
I will let you, the viewer, observe the many design elements in these two natural and man-made compositions.
Florida wetland patterns and designs. Copyright 2016, Pamela Breitberg
Not so innocent Trouble copyright 2013 Pamela Breitberg
Contented Trouble copyright 2013 Pamela Breitberg
Trouble resides at the near-by stable. Imagine a wild, small game hunter who craves the warmth of human kindnesses. Her split personality shows its sweet side in human’s presence allowing her welcome access to each neighbor’s gardens. Since our beloved Tigger has passed, Trouble has added our garden to her expansive territory and into our hearts. Her choice spot is directly under our bird bath, so it is certain the birds don’t share our welcoming attitudes.