Last week, I visited the UW-Madison Arboretum; it surprisingly turned out to be great day to stop by. Children's programs were in progress, so it was fun to see the kids interacting with the critters and learning about the plants. The turkeys, in particular, seemed "excited" about the youthful activity.
I regularly volunteer at the Arb, but is was nice to wander around, observe, and enjoy at my own pace. Many plants in the Native Plant Garden were blooming, budding, and thriving after plentiful rain and sun, including:
Spiderwort
White Wild Indigo
Canada Anemone
Wild Roses
Field Oval Sedge
Smooth Phlox
Common Milkweed
Lead Plant
Oxeye Sunflower
Also, I had time to observe and enjoy the "Preserve" art installation, near the Arboretum Visitor Center. If you live in or near Madison, or plan a visit, check out the display.
It draws inspiration from Aldo Leopold, author of A Sand County Almanac, and research director for the Arboretum for 15 years, from 1933-1948.
The display showcases 1,000 documented species, demonstrating local ecological richness while inspiring conservation action and environmental stewardship.
The display is beautiful and educational.
Spiderwort
White Wild Indigo
Canada Anemone
Wild Roses
Field Oval Sedge
Smooth Phlox
Common Milkweed
Lead Plant
Oxeye Sunflower
Also, I had time to observe and enjoy the "Preserve" art installation, near the Arboretum Visitor Center. If you live in or near Madison, or plan a visit, check out the display.
It draws inspiration from Aldo Leopold, author of A Sand County Almanac, and research director for the Arboretum for 15 years, from 1933-1948.
The display showcases 1,000 documented species, demonstrating local ecological richness while inspiring conservation action and environmental stewardship.
The display is beautiful and educational.
Visitors can "sit awhile" inside the enclosure, on comfortably arranged Leopold benches. "Preserve" is definitely worth a visit if you're in the area. It will be in place through September 27, 2025.
Next up: more coverage of the Memphis Garden Fling. It was a stunner!
Great displays at your local arboretum, Beth! That is probably the best turkey photo I've ever seen - their pose makes me think of the Rockettes ;) The flowers are lovely too.
ReplyDeleteThank you. :) The turkeys were "cooperating" because they were displaying for the kids. The timing was good for me to see it and snap some photos. The Arb is a wonderful destination and resource, for so many reasons.
DeleteWhat a great place, I wish I was near something like that. I used to be. I see wild turkeys around my neighborhood, but they are never showing off!
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa: Yes, it's a wonderful resource for the community. And the Aldo Leopold display is really special. It was a beautiful day, too.
DeleteWonderful post!! Beautiful photos of many plant friends :) And Leopold was such an influence back in the day, while learning about conservation. Neat to see the exhibit.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Hollis. Yes, Leopold is a special figure in our history. The exhibit is nifty. :)
DeleteI love all these beautiful photos. Hugs.
ReplyDeletersrue.blogspot.com/
Thank you. It was a lovely day, full of inspiration. :)
DeleteThank you for sharing these beautiful gardens Beth! The photos are wonderful and I love the one of the turkeys. They actually posed for you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lee. The turkeys were fun...I think they were reacting/posing for the children visiting the Arb that day. :)
DeleteHi Beth, thank you for sharing. We hardly ever get to Madison these days. Our son Sam does, I will share this with him because he would enjoy it. He will go to the gardens to walk, I will tell him about the Preserve.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carla
I think Sam would enjoy it. If you get to Madison before late September, it's worth a visit. :)
DeleteWe see turkeys from time to time. Great pictures. I wanr some of that sunflower! Amelia
ReplyDeleteHi Amelia: Thanks. Turkeys are entertaining, aren't they? Such regal creatures, but their antics are entertaining. Yes, the Heliopsis and later Helianthus blooms are beautiful flowers of summer. :)
DeleteWhat fun, your turkeys look as if they have very important business to attend to. Great flower photos too.
ReplyDeleteHi Chloris: Thanks. Yes, it was so fun to see the children enthralled with the turkeys. And the turkeys certainly were entertaining with their displays!
DeleteThose turkeys are great! I'm intrigued by the Preserve exhibit.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I didn't realize I wasn't signed in. Last one was me!
ReplyDeleteHi Susie: Thanks for letting me know. :) The exhibit is amazing; if you're in town this summer, it's definitely worth a visit!
DeleteI so wish that I'd spent more time there when I lived in Madison from '85-'89, but alas, only visited once (in my pre-garden-mad former life) and can't remember much!
ReplyDeleteThe Arboretum has changed so much over the years. I didn't start visiting much or volunteering until 2014.
DeleteThat sounds an interesting visit Beth and great that there are activities designed to engage children and young people 😀
ReplyDeleteIt was a wonderful day for a visit to the Arb! Sometimes those special days just sort of happen, and they bring great experiences and great memories. ♥
DeleteI love a turkey sighting. What a great day!
ReplyDeleteYes, it was a wonderful, unexpected visit to the Arboretum. So many surprises, including the displaying turkeys. :)
DeleteThis was extremely creative. I would never look at a canning jar and think of anything artsy.
ReplyDeleteJeannie@GetMeToTheCountry
Yes, it's a very creative and beautiful display. The next time I'm there, I think I'll explore the individual jars a little more.
DeleteJust read about an eagle, rescued in Wisconsin. Given a fish skin graft to repair a ripped open leg.
ReplyDelete“She insisted on watching everything I did. I could not put a hood or a towel over her. Her wings were restrained but she never resisted and was so tolerant of all the time it took. She was stuck in an indoor room to keep it clean, no water, no bath and we had to keep a bandage on the whole time. She was amazing.”
Fascinating. Thanks for the update: I'll search for the story. That is wonderful!
Delete