Pianolady's Outbox

This is one of my favorites too!

Thanks. It's one of my house wrens, and always giving me an ear full whenever I'm too close to their home.

Yes it is, the fence is quite popular with the birds and an easy photo to take from the front porch.

We have an abundance of cardinals in our area, it's one of my favorite birds, and are about the size of an oriole or robin.

This is great! I've always wanted to plant a grand piano garden, but can't convince my husband this is a good idea.

We were at Reiman Garden's Butterfly Wing at Iowa State University.

Yes, they are all from the butterfly wing at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. They have quite a collection.

I was visiting the butterfly wing at Iowa State University. You can find more information at http://www.reimangardens.iastate.edu/en/butterflies/

Our daughter was enjoying the attention she got from the butterflies with her yellow sweatshirt.

We're supposed to have a shortage, but as soon as the autumn joy started blooming, I've seen many honey bees every day. So, I'm not sure where they have been hiding.

We are currently using a Quantaray 70-300mm macro lens, but it's actually considered a low-end (aka cheap) lens. Our dream lens would be a Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR DX lens. But, that lens costs more than the camera did, so the price would have to come down for us to get one.

I too am speechless, just beautiful!

I'm not sure, it could be May Night.

Gorgeous close-up!

I love this path, it is gorgeous!

I do not know the name, however I did buy them in bulk at the home improvement store, so I'm quite sure it's a very common variety. Unfortunately, I didn't write down the name and forgot.

Thanks! We just purchased a Nikon D40 SLR. We had a Nikon N80 SLR, which was a wonderful film camera, but the film was getting hard to find, and expensive to develop.

I have this rose in my own garden too, and it is one of my favorites.

Hybridizer/Date: Herbert C. Swim, USA 1959
Parentage: Charlotte Armstrong x Peace
Fragrance: Strong sometimes, mild sometimes
ARS Color: White, near white and white blend (white with touches of pink and yellow)
Awards: Bagatelle Gold Medal 1959, All America Rose Selection 1960
28 petals

Thanks Marguerite & Jacque. Unfortunately, many of the roses have died due to the harsh winters we've had. There isn't a lot of protection from the elements in this garden, and the roses in other parts of the yard have fared much better. The garden is also too far away from a water source. I'll still have my roses, just not it this particular garden. Some of the roses do thrive, and they will stay, but tea roses do not do well here.

Best known for their 2500 sq. foot butterfly wing, Reiman Gardens is located on the Iowa State campus. A large collection of Dr. Griffith Buck roses is included in the 14 acre site.

Construction of the Lauritzen Gardens started in 1995, with new additions added yearly. This 100 acre site has become a prized attraction in the Omaha area. Located on a rolling bluff along the Missouri River, the Gardens include the rose garden, children's garden, hosta shade garden, spring flowering walk, English garden, Victorian garden, streams, pools, and much more.

This is a newer arboretum, still under construction at the time we visited.

Located in St. Louis, Missouri, the Missouri Botanical Garden is the United State's oldest botanical garden in continuous operation and a National Historic Landmark.

Thanks Chrispook. I'm a victim of my own copy and paste!