Autumn Colors At the Gardens

As fall quickly slips away and the cold, winter weather starts to move in, I thought I'd share a few fall photos from this year. Last week my husband and I took a walk at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens to see what we could find.

Butterfly, Butterfly, Butterfly....

"Just living is not enough," said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower." ~Hans Christian Anderson




I met up with a friend and went to the Norfolk Botanical Garden today. They have a fabulous butterfly house and butterfly gardens. Today the butterflies were all over and not just inside the butterfly house but all over the gardens. It was a perfect day for them.

Here are a few of my favorites. You can see more on my FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Butterflies, Water Lilies & Hydrangea's

I took another trip to the botanical gardens here in Norfolk again. I've never been to any other botanical gardens but this one rocks. They make sure there is stuff blooming year round (course the winters don't get too cold here) and it's just a really good place. They've done an excellent job.

Today my focus was on the new Butterfly House they've opened. I took one of their classes they have available. This particular class gave me the opportunity to go into the butterfly house 2 hours before it opened to the general public. Because we (there were 18 other participants) were in there early before the heat got too bad, the butterflies were not as active as they get as the day goes on. They also gave us permission to move in and around the plants, off the paths, so we could get closer to the butterflies and caterpillars.







To see all my favorite butterfly and caterpillar photos from today CLICK HERE!

After the butterfly class, I went walking around the gardens. I couldn't resist. Not only is it great exercise and a wonderful walk - there's always something new blooming...

The water lilies and lotus flowers were gorgeous! Water Lily's and Lotus flowers are different although commonly referred to as the same. Lotus flowers have a tall stem and their center is very different. Water lilies, float low, sitting on the water. The bloom is very similar so it's a common misconception.





The Hydrangea's were the other flower I specifically looked for today. They were beautiful. I loved the mixed purple & pink ones.



To see the rest of my favorite garden photos from today CLICK HERE!