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.
Looks such a perfect day for walking!
ReplyDeleteI'm delighted by your collages, so beautiful macros, I specially love the adorable butterfly and the puppy!
Léia
Your collage is very nice. Love the snail. Looks like a nice day to enjoy the outdoors.
ReplyDeleteLooks 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.
ReplyDeleteDarla
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.
ReplyDeleteLovely nature shots. Must have been a fun walk. :)
ReplyDeleteIf 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!
Super post, EG! What a wonderful place! 100 acres! Amazing. Your photos show it off very well! I like the "mascot"!
ReplyDeleteRe your question: Yes, we've driven Acuras since 2003. Good car.
Lovely walk, your photo collages are great.
ReplyDeleteThese 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. :)
ReplyDeletejust don't stand under the birds that ate the berries... ha ha
ReplyDeletei love the top 2 left leaves on the second collage, they are just gorgeous. all of these have your WOW factor.
forgot to say I LOVE THAT SNAIL!!!! REALLY I DO!
ReplyDeleteFall. Perfection. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful day and walk. Right now it is storming so hard here, I'd love a day like those in your photos.
A lovely day with lovely pics!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteI would have enjoyed a walk like this, but I would not have recognized ten percent of the flora and fauna you see.
ReplyDeleteYea!! I'll be visiting a local arboretum this Friday. I hope we have good weather.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures, as always. I really envy you for this arboretum: nothing like this around here, maybe in other towns...
ReplyDeleteMy 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...
ReplyDeleteGreat shots. I love arboretums and gardens, there's one in Denver I need to visit one day soon.
ReplyDeletewe have had some lovely weather recently, haven't we?
ReplyDeleteI love the photo collages, great shots.
Gill
Great pics and I have to say that I also love that snail!
ReplyDeleteThe sun always favors the garden walkers---well almost always. LOL
ReplyDeleteLove your collages. My computer won't let me do that anymore. MB
It looks as if you had a great day for the outing. I really like your collage.
ReplyDeleteI love the design on the snail.
ReplyDeleteYou got some some wonderful shots during the arboretum walk. Fun to spot the snail without trying.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a great tour. I love arboretums. Nice photographs.
ReplyDeleteLove your collages! What a great place for a nature walk and photo opportunities.
ReplyDeleteYou gave us a close-up look at what you saw.
ReplyDeletewow! beautiful pictures with beautiful colors, I like all their delicious frames. I walk along the trail.
ReplyDeleteI'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:-)
ReplyDeleteI didn't realise witch hazel had cones - I think our witch hazel has died:-/
What lovely captures of a fall day. Love the mosaics -- great way to display several photos in small format. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice hiking this is! I enjoyed your photos very much.
ReplyDeleteYou have captured the beautiful nature, I enjoyed your photos and shared your joyes...
ReplyDeleteGreat captures.
ReplyDeleteEG, I really love both collages, but that first with all the fall color sure grabs me. Very, very nice.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful collections of natural wonders found on your nature walk!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your collages, especially the second one. It was the snail shell that did it for me.
ReplyDeleteGlad you took me along on this lovely walk through the arboretum in your beautiful world.
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