A botanical gardens on the other side of the state

On January 6, 2025February 5, 2025 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography3 Comments

While Brett and I were on our “No power” trip (no electricity from Hurricane Milton) to the east coast in October we spent an afternoon at McKee Botanical Gardens in Vero Beach. It was our first time in the Vero Beach area and I had heard about the Gardens from friends who live nearby. It was a beautiful place to wander around and the gardens were full of things blooming and flying.

The gardens were started in the early 1920’s and there were a lot of tall old trees.

I managed to find a few migrating birds including a northern parula, a black throated blue warbler and a Swainson’s thrush.

A pileated woodpecker flew in while I was looking for migrating birds and started eating the seeds on a nearby palm tree.

There were so many different types of lizards. Tons of them in all sizes but we didn’t see any bigger iguanas. The bottom one is an invasive Peter (or rainbow) rock agama that was introduced into south Florida’s wildlife in the 70’s. They have recently made their way farther north and are now plentiful in Vero Beach.

We were taking a break on a bench and this squirrel brought his snack over and ate in front of us.

The Hall of Giants is an original building of the gardens and was built to house the largest table at the time (found in New York City), built from a single piece of mahogany.

The gardens also had a lot of tiny waterfalls.

Linking to A Stroll Thru Life

Craving yellow, red and orange

On November 26, 2020November 9, 2020 By dinajohnstonIn Vacation6 Comments

Now that we are well into November, I’m really craving fall leaves. Normally, Brett and I would have taken a trip in early October to see fall leaves. Last year we were in Boston and the the year before in Utah and we saw a lot of yellow and orange. Here in central Florida, we don’t really see fall leaves until late December if that and this year we just had day trips close to home. I was looking through some old folders and found these pictures of the leaves in the north Georgia mountains. Years ago Brett and I were visiting relatives and went hiking at Amicalola Falls State Park. It’s about an hour north of Atlanta so it was easy to get there. It hadn’t been raining for a while so there wasn’t much water coming over the falls but the leaves were amazing.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Another waterfall with little water

On December 11, 2018December 11, 2018 By dinajohnstonIn Vacation2 Comments

During our vacation in Utah, we hiked up Lisa Falls in Cottonwood Canyon knowing that there would be very little water coming down due to the drought. It was a quick hike up and the view was amazing so even though we only saw a trickle of water, it was worth the walk.

Beautiful views along the hike. After the falls, we crossed the street and hiked the Little Cottonwood Canyon trail along the river. More on that later.

Heading back to town after a day of hiking,

Linking to Wednesday Around The World.

No donut at Donut Falls

On November 20, 2018April 30, 2021 By dinajohnstonIn VacationLeave a comment

We headed out early in the morning driving through Cottonwood Canyon. Our destination was Donut Falls. It was an easy mile and half hike up the mountain and the weather was cool. We took our time, stopping to take pictures along the way. The trees were beautiful and we saw only a few other people. I had read that during the summer months the trail has traffic jams with so many people so I’m glad we were there in the fall.

We should have known there would be very little water at the falls due to the drought but it was still worth the hike. We didn’t feel like sloshing through the water to get to the cave that has the hole where the water comes through so no donut fall shots. We worked up an appetite and headed back to Park City for a late lunch.

Linking to Wednesday Around the World.

Hiking under the water fall

On May 31, 2018May 7, 2018 By dinajohnstonIn flowers and plants, Vacation8 Comments

Our visit to Noccalula Falls north of Birmingham would not be complete without a hike down to the river and under the falls.

A quick video under the falls to show how loud it was with the water crashing over.

The hike down wasn’t bad. The weather was cool and the rain held off.

As we got closer to the falls, we had to be careful climbing over the slippery rocks.

The wall under the falls was full of these little birds nesting. This was cropped up and they blended in pretty well. My sister saw one fly into the nest. Otherwise I don’t think we would have noticed them. I think this is a northern rough wing swallow. A first for me.

SkyWatch Friday

Noccalula Falls

On May 17, 2018May 1, 2018 By dinajohnstonIn Vacation8 Comments

I left Brett back in Tampa and headed up to Birmingham to visit my sister over Easter weekend. Even though Friday was going to be a cloudy rainy day, we risked it and headed up about an hour north of Birmingham to visit the past. Noccalula Falls was our destination. I hadn’t been since the early 70’s and was wondering if it looked the same. I’m sure a lot has changed but I remembered the park looking bigger. The story is that an Indian princess was already in love with someone else but her father told her she had to marry a neighboring chief instead so she fell to her death. Full story here. We were there after a big storm so the water was heavy coming over the falls.

Looking through the trees and down the Black Creek Gorge.

Some of the old buildings on display throughout the park.

Canadian geese at the top of the falls.

I found some old pictures that my dad had taken of the falls back in 1973. My sister and were posing on an old wagon (I’m on the left). We looked for the wagon when we were there but couldn’t find it. I think we were pretending to hold on to the reins. My dad always liked actions shots

SkyWatch Friday

Pretty on Sarasota bay.

On February 1, 2018December 30, 2017 By dinajohnstonIn flowers and plants, Tampa bay sights3 Comments

The Selby Gardens in Sarasota sits right on the bay. It was a warm beautiful morning in late November when I was there for the first time with my sister.

It’s a small botanical gardens and a bit far from my home in Tampa. Not sure if I will get down here again soon. My favorite part was the conservatory that had a lot of orchids. We happened to be there during an orchid exhibit which was pretty cool.

SkyWatch Friday

In memory of my Dad.

On April 17, 2016April 17, 2016 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography7 Comments

The entrance to the Japanese Gardens at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Lots of things blooming in late March.

Growing up I spent a lot of time at the Japanese Gardens in Birmingham. It was one of my parents favorite places to go and walk around. My Dad would take a lot of pictures. I was busy playing in the grass and feeding the fish. I was probably wondering when we were going home so I could play with my friends. Now, 30 years later I am there taking pictures without my Dad. This post is in his memory. He died in April 2001, 15 years ago.

Shine the Divine