A couple days ago I talked about walking to the Botanical Gardens here in Rio. I skimmed over it pretty quickly because I wanted to talk about the gardens today. About 2 times a year, I walk alone from the apartment, around the edge of the Lagoa, entering the Jardim Botanico (Botanical Gardens) by the main gates to stroll up and down the open tree lined walkways, taking photos without watching over my shoulder, relaxing, going my own pace without any concerns that others (Camillo) may want to sit or to leave before I am ready.
Some days I sit on a bench and watch the children play, but always making the walk up through the imperial palms, and no matter which direction I go, or whether I sit for a bit, I eventually make it back into a far corner where the orchid and bromeliad houses are. Every walk brings me new delights - spaces of mystery, a glimpse of elegance from the past, spaces that invite and the color of spring.
On a bad day, all I find is an hour of peace in this loud and brassy city, and on a good day – on a good day there are moments where I find flowers new, flowers exotic, flowers happy, and beauty hidden waiting to be found. and if I pay close attention I can find leaves dancing, leaves wrapped up tight and leaves that show us how to best use the sun.
Please take a minute and look to see what else I saw this past week, a bounty you will enjoy.
Ginger, these are just lovely. You know what I like about you? Your posts always express such an appreciation for everything around you, even when your surroundings aren't the most beautiful or peaceful. You always manage to turn a negative into a positive.
ReplyDeleteThis botanical garden looks amazing and your photos are stunning. I like your play on words with the flowers and the leaves.
Your album is spectacular.
Oh Ginger those photos are so so so lovely.
ReplyDeleteOhhhh and the header picture!
ReplyDeleteGinger, been a while since I have been by for a visit. Nice shots, and a nice way in how your words express yourself. Glad I dropped by today.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos; you're right, the full album was worth a visit. Definitely marking Jardim Botanicals on my "to do in Rio" list.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, we were looking for the jail turned artesan shop; didn't find the one in Recife, but did visit the one in Natal.
Heather, the boys would love the garden, they can run and explore and pretend and the Brasilians wont think anything of it. I love getting off the paths and walking between the trees, looking for bugs and birds and unusual flowers or seeds. Kids love that.
ReplyDeleteOne of those places that I want to go to! And your new header picture is fantastic.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful - love all the color of the plants and flowers!
ReplyDeleteThe greatest header you have ever had. You now must tell us how you did it.
ReplyDeleteGinger, these shots are beyond compare. Thank you.
Lucky you to have access to such a lovely place.
ReplyDeleteWow - these photos are gorgeous! I would love to take that walk with you. I really like the palm tree lined path. Thanks for sharing this favorite spot. I love the mosaic header, also. How did you do that?!
ReplyDeleteGinger! What a wonderful post! I could FEEL your thoughtfulness through your pictures! What a gorgeous place. Thank you for taking us with you!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I can feel the warm breezes of Brasil even up here in the cold North. The close-up of the leaf with its pattern and structure was incredible.
ReplyDeleteThanks for showing us your favorite place to shoot photos!
Magical, breathtaking. What a special pace to walk, observe, and take beautiful pictures.
ReplyDeleteI love the color of that blue gate, it makes me happy!
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful place! love the shot with the row of columns. awesome.
ReplyDeleteI love that row of palms, just beautiful as is all your flowers and pictures.
ReplyDeleteamazing pictures! Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThe pictures are breathtaking Ginger! I am looking at them and my fingers are getting itchy to start painting again. You should make a floral calendar for the new year. What a beautiful place to spend the morning! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat vibrant, amazing photos. Love your dancing leaves!
ReplyDeleteOooh I just loved the gates and walkway in the middle - beautiful shootout!!
ReplyDeleteGinger these are beautiful! I can definitely understand why this is a favorite place for you.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos, Ginger. I love botanical gardens.
ReplyDeleteObviously you took us with you on a good day. No wonder this is your favourite place to take photos, it's just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThat stag horn fern and the two rows of very tall palms, they look so tropical.
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ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos in different angles and flowers of different colors and shapes. Thanks for touring us in your favorite place to take photos. And I am so amazed looking at your header.
ReplyDeleteI love that blue fence and those trees are absolutely beautiful. You captured each photo in a most exciting way, GingerV.
ReplyDeleteI can just smell all those flowers. It is fall here and things are starting to die off. Brrr. Old man winter is on his way.
Love your favorite place to take photos - great shots! I'd love to see what's on the other side of that blue gate. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing!
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Wow! Gorgeous photos. I love the blue gate and the tunnel like view next to it. I also love the mosaic behind your title. Your post that goes with your photos was also beautiful. Very inspiring post!!
ReplyDeleteGinger...these are fresh, alive, vibrant, engaging...have you considered submitting these in photo contests?
ReplyDeleteThese are really spectacular.
Great photos!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
LOVE the blue gate.
;^)