Early Bloomers

T

he Star Magnolias were bursting open at Aldridge Gardens today. I think it might be a bit early, but we really haven't had any prolonged cold weather at all here in Birmingham this winter. I love these floppy petaled blooms back lit by the afternoon sun.

EGGS!!!!

Aldridge Gardens

A mother duck, from the nearby lake laid about 30 eggs inside this tree trunk.  She'd taken a little break from egg sitting so we could get a closer look.  The security guard told me that the first one was blue and all the rest white, although they all appear bluish in my photos.

I spotted those cute little guys from yesterday's post and asked if they had seen the eggs. They were so excited to see them.

Oh Look!!!!

It was my pleasure to show these two adorable boys a very special place.  Come back tomorrow to have a closer look!

Heads Up Alabama!

Corinne Cox's Creative Whirl

Today we have a guest blogger/photographer...Eva Singleton! She and brother Davis joined me for a wonderful afternoon at Aldridge Botanical Gardens in Hoover yesterday. These gardens are lovely anytime of the year, but right now there is a most unusual art exhibit. The Alabama Psychological Association Foundation sponsored "Heads Up Alabama! Psychology Promotes Healthy Living". Twenty Alabama artists were chosen to put their creative touches on 3 foot tall ....heads! This is a not to be missed exhibit. Originally these pieces were placed throughout the gardens, but rain damaged the stands so they are now being placed around the covered pavillion. Some remain nearby. The exhibit runs through August 31.

My Eva has shown a lot of interest in photography lately. In fact she's taken over her mom's camera , probably a good thing. Today she has chosen two of her photographs to share with you. I captured the photographer at work shooting her favorite piece - Back to Nature by Tracie Noles-Ross. Eva says she likes this piece because " it has people and animals on it and it's just cool!" I'll have some more to share in the weeks to come.

Merci ma chère Eva for my new profile photo as well!

Bises,

Mumsie

FROM SNAPSHOTS TO PHOTOGRAPHS

My next series of five two hour classes will be starting again soon. For those in the Birmingham AL area, contact me for more details. These classes are designed for the amateur photographer who wants to improve their vacation and family photos!

DISCOVERING THE MAGIC

For the more experienced photographers out there, I have a new class starting in September that will focus on creative ways to photograph our city!

"A Set Goal" by Palo Pallas

Pitcher Plants

I took this photo at Aldridge Gardens recently. I was fascinated with the shape and color of these unusual plants. I thought it migh be Swamp Lilies, but a Google search proved me wrong. I sent a pic to my faithful reader and gardener Harriet, and she passed it along to husband Richard, a plant afficianado. Richard declared it a Pitcher Plant. North American Pitcher Plant according to Wikipedia. Merci to the Reavis family for helping me out.

The Bench

Taken beside the lake at Birmingham's Aldridge Gardens in Hoover.