Free Park and Botanical Garden in Florida - Photos

We enjoy going to the free parks and Florida Botanical Garden in Largo, FL.

Sure, I only have a few hundred pics from this year's Green Thumb Festival and Florida Botanical Garden. 

Lets start with the orchid photos at the Green Thumb Festival ...

My favorite mini staycation were our recent two days at the Florida Botanical Garden in Largo. See my post - Do not molest the Alligators

Here is a preview of the next installment in my mini series on the

Florida Botanical Garden in Largo 

 A corner of the country garden display

Beautiful mosaic seating area

The cuppola in the wedding garden

see my post on the Rose and Wedding Garden

 In April we had a birthday picnic at the park and I took a stroll along the water inlet. Intent on getting a shot of the waterfowl, because of gathers birdwatching contest, I didn't notice the sign "Beware of Alligators" until I was on my way back already.

 Sure enough - there had been an alligator sunning himself on the banks earlier. I really need to pay more attention, this is Florida after all:)

Of course now I can't tell you what these birds are, because I didn't win the contest or the bird book here on gather. Pout:) Who can compete with the cutest ducklings in all of South Carolina:) - posts written by Nana - a must see, if you like cute and fuzzy:)

Tise park is a habitat and these birds were not inclined to walk in front of my camera, I could barely get within 50 - to 100 feet so the shots aren't stellar. Had I known about the alligator I wouln't even have tried:)

 I'm guessing he's an egret or perhaps a heron

This one looked interesting - I've never seen a bird like this before

Then there was the Mother's Day event and garden tour of Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg, FL. Stay tuned for another post on Sunken Gardens too.

Lush - tropical - classic Florida

In between, I'm finishing up my various spring projects - I wrote about both My Secret Garden and the Spring Projects -Painting and Decorating on the front porch.

We are still enjoying the garden this time of year. It may be 90-92 during the day, but it is still nice and balmy in the evening and the early morning.

Until I get around to posting another garden walk - photo tour - here are some new garden shots.

Cherry tomatoes, herbs and flowers in my veggie garden. The tall green plant illuminated by the sun seeded itself in the green pepper pot - it must be some sort of weed. The pepper plant doesn't seem to mind, it's producing well and I've decided I like the looks of it.  

The peppers don't mind the lacey green plant, maybe it likes the company:)

I love that these daisies come back every year - no fuss - no muss.

I've been photographing the various color hibiscus blooms in my garden on my morning rounds in the garden.

I like the color striations in this one.

 ... and just for Marianne -

this years ceramic shrooms at the plant festival.

Oh and of course Jimbo wanted to say hi to all his gather friends too ...

Have a great week everyone - thanks for stopping by!

I need to go out there and start on my next project -

two mosaic stepping stones.

All images copyright 2009 by Rose H.