Monday, September 26, 2011

Aboretum Trail/ Our World

On a trail at the Aurora Community Arboretum

Last Saturday, a group I belong to sponsored a nature hike for members of gardens clubs in our area. The morning started out grey, threatening rain but  about three dozen brave souls joined us. Luck was on our side.  As arboretum guides greeted us, out came the sun!

Some of what we saw

The easy trails of the hundred-acre arboretum wend their way through a tree and woody plant collection - more than a hundred species - that volunteers have been planting and caring for on town-owned land since 1995.

Several monarch butterflies flew over and around us as we walked. Our mascot (upper left-hand corner) was on a leash as we passed colourful sumacs and spindle tree leaves and berries,  as well as witch-hazel cones.

More of what we saw

Snails! I saw several and I wasn't even looking for them.  Working clockwise: a few milkweed pods were ripening and about to let their seeds fly out on silky parachutes, and  tiny crabapples decorated slender branches.  Birds had clearly feasted on the elderberries.! A few blue chicory blossoms opened in the sun but the angelica blossoms had long ago faded and gone to seed.

More photos from Our World can be seen by clicking HERE.

37 comments:

Cezar and Léia said...

Looks such a perfect day for walking!
I'm delighted by your collages, so beautiful macros, I specially love the adorable butterfly and the puppy!
Léia

Roan said...

Your collage is very nice. Love the snail. Looks like a nice day to enjoy the outdoors.

Darla said...

Looks like a great walk. I like those tiny witch-hazel cones. I even like the photo of the snail and I'm not a snail fan.

Darla

Shammickite said...

So nice to have the weather defy the rainy weather forecast and turn out sunny and warm, espcially for your nature walk. I've never been to the arboretunm in Aurora, I'll have to go and find it, it looks like a nice walk.

Halcyon said...

Lovely nature shots. Must have been a fun walk. :)
If you want to see more snails, stop by my garden. They've been eating the leaves off my hosta and other plants. But I don't have the heart to trap them. I find them sort of cute in their own way. Wouldn't mind some more butterflies though. Very pretty one you have here!

Lowell said...

Super post, EG! What a wonderful place! 100 acres! Amazing. Your photos show it off very well! I like the "mascot"!

Re your question: Yes, we've driven Acuras since 2003. Good car.

Gillian Olson said...

Lovely walk, your photo collages are great.

Penelope Notes said...

These are wonderful collections that show the intricate detail of a forest walk. How wonderful that volunteers dedicate themselves to an important environmental task such as this. Thanks as always for sharing your world. I, too, can find a snail at just about every corner. :)

MadSnapper said...

just don't stand under the birds that ate the berries... ha ha
i love the top 2 left leaves on the second collage, they are just gorgeous. all of these have your WOW factor.

MadSnapper said...

forgot to say I LOVE THAT SNAIL!!!! REALLY I DO!

Joyful said...

Fall. Perfection. Beautiful.

What a beautiful day and walk. Right now it is storming so hard here, I'd love a day like those in your photos.

Kathy said...

A lovely day with lovely pics!

Sivinden said...

Beautiful photos!

Jack said...

I would have enjoyed a walk like this, but I would not have recognized ten percent of the flora and fauna you see.

Craver Vii said...

Yea!! I'll be visiting a local arboretum this Friday. I hope we have good weather.

VP said...

Great pictures, as always. I really envy you for this arboretum: nothing like this around here, maybe in other towns...

Judy said...

My favourite shot is the elderberry cluster, almost cleaned of berries! You make it look like art! Rather than a branch that is done its useful life...

Al said...

Great shots. I love arboretums and gardens, there's one in Denver I need to visit one day soon.

Gill - That British Woman said...

we have had some lovely weather recently, haven't we?

I love the photo collages, great shots.

Gill

Michelle said...

Great pics and I have to say that I also love that snail!

Small City Scenes said...

The sun always favors the garden walkers---well almost always. LOL

Love your collages. My computer won't let me do that anymore. MB

George said...

It looks as if you had a great day for the outing. I really like your collage.

Randy said...

I love the design on the snail.

Carver said...

You got some some wonderful shots during the arboretum walk. Fun to spot the snail without trying.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

That looks like a great tour. I love arboretums. Nice photographs.

Karen said...

Love your collages! What a great place for a nature walk and photo opportunities.

Martha Z said...

You gave us a close-up look at what you saw.

Leovi said...

wow! beautiful pictures with beautiful colors, I like all their delicious frames. I walk along the trail.

jabblog said...

I'm glad your day turned out well. What a lovely place to walk with so much to see. I like the group mascot - very cute:-)
I didn't realise witch hazel had cones - I think our witch hazel has died:-/

Nancy said...

What lovely captures of a fall day. Love the mosaics -- great way to display several photos in small format. :)

Minoru said...

What a nice hiking this is! I enjoyed your photos very much.

Gypsy Lala said...

You have captured the beautiful nature, I enjoyed your photos and shared your joyes...

Indrani said...

Great captures.

Rose said...

EG, I really love both collages, but that first with all the fall color sure grabs me. Very, very nice.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful collections of natural wonders found on your nature walk!

Oakland Daily Photo said...

Enjoyed your collages, especially the second one. It was the snail shell that did it for me.

Francisca said...

Glad you took me along on this lovely walk through the arboretum in your beautiful world.

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East Gwillimbury is a rural town less than an hour north of Toronto, Canada's largest city. My family calls me CameraGirl because I take my camera with me wherever I go.