Butterfly

As I look at this photo, I think of that song about "the great elusive butterfly of love".

What does he see?

A frog - a fish - a dragon fly?

Statue at Botanica

Maybe she represents one of the seasons.

Shady retreat

another bench at Botanica

Bench at Botanica

Set a spell. Take your shoes off. Y'all come back now, y'hear?

Trickling stream

Cool shade and the sound of water trickling over this rocky stream - photo taken at Botanica.

Sign of things to come...

I was delighted to see this sign - I bet the new Children's Garden will be really nice. Hope it will have a tree swing, and some nice kid friendly water fountains - and butterflies and tulips... and statues and more! I can't wait to see it. Botanica is such a nice place. If you ever come to Wichita, be sure to go there. It's just about time (or maybe it IS time) for the annual tulip show.

Presents

Another shot of decorations - taken at Botanica.

1st Place

This photo, of a 1st prize photo, was taken at Botanica.

There was a lot of really nice entries in the competition.

All of them taken at Botanica.

Santa Claus

Santa was at Botanica,

delighting children as they lined up to tell him what they'd like for Christmas.

Warming up

Besides the chiminea's at Botanica, there were also some gas fueled (I have no idea what they are called) warming posts. They have flames in the upper portion and the heat is deflected in a downward direction by the umbrella style topper. This is something I've not experienced before, and I was impressed with how much warmth they provide. And, if that wasn't enough to warm up the Botanica guests - there was also hot cocoa, and hot apple cider for $1. Whoever put this together - did a nice job in considering the welcome relief of warmth in the midst of a cold winter stroll through the illuminated gardens.

Chiminea

Nature's Way provided quite a few chimineas for warm stops along the illimunated paths of Botanica. I don't know what kind of wood was burning in them, but it sure smelled good. In this photo, you can also see the sacks with lights in them - these lined all the paths and sidewalks.

Illuminations at Botanica

Taken at Botanica during their holiday illuminations display, the night was aglow with thousands of lights.

Butterfly delight

This trusting butterfly brought a moment of delight to a child, and then flew away.

Photo taken in Botanica's butterfly garden.

A Flower

Basket of flowers

A scene at Botanica, Wichita's Botanical Gardens.

Boy and bird

When I look at this boy and bird, I think of Abe and his beautiful bird photos. Have any of you ever had a bird perch on your finger?

Mother and child

This statue is found outside the entry (and exit) to Botanica - Wichita's Botanical Garden. I imagine some mothers leave Botanica, carrying a tired child to the car after an afternoon spent walking amongst the flowers and butterflies. Can anyone relate to this pose? I think they both look ready for a nap, and the child has a headstart, over mom.

Petunias

Butterfly house

Yesterday's photo was taken in the butterfly house at Botanica. Here children and adults can visit during stages from cacoon to butterfly. On the other end of this "house" is a small wooden hut where the cacoons are kept safe from harm. Once the butterflies come out, they fly around in this safe haven full of flowers. It's fun to walk through with butterflies flying all around. And, you all are right, it's hard to get a butterfly to pose! I just got lucky on that last shot.