TBG | mermaidcamp

Break with Butterflies

December 27, 2013 — 2 Comments

ornament

butterfly

orchids

moth

nature study

close examination

In the dark of winter I love to visit the tropics by going to the Butterfly Magic show at the Tucson Botanical Gardens. We are fortunate to have such a special nature spot with a controlled environment. Kids and grown ups are all delighted by a short stay in a world of unusual beauty. It is also fun to be hot and steamy in a greenhouse when the wind is blowing cold outside.

Bird Houses

May 24, 2013 — 4 Comments

: copper roof

: heart house

: artist’s loft

: turquoise

: glass house

: cat bird house

: green ad pink

: gourd

: eclectic

: hut

: stacked houses

: sahuaro skeleton

: fine detail

: chile woman

: home sweet home

: radical dude

: gourd

: bird yard

: recycle

: bright pagoda

: collage

: clay and glass

: white gourd

: ceramic house

: tree of life

: cowgirl boot

: cowboy boot

: rusty roof

Have you ever thought about all the different ways birds design? What do birds look for in a piece of real estate? There must be a very wide variety of tastes. For an exhibit at the Tucson Botanical Garden artists have designed bird spaces from all kinds of materials. They are for sale. Birds have so many choices from rustic to modern. I love all of them, so it is good that I am not a bird.

Grow Down!!

March 25, 2013 — 1 Comment

post modern desertscape

Tucson Botanical Gardens hosted a demonstration weekend for local designers. The Grow Down is intended to show ways to get big use from small gardens. I attended on Saturday to see how they were doing and watch a demonstration on using shade cloth. I will go back and see the finished designs as well as the winner of the prize. My own prize goes to Realm, the group that was practically finished when the others were still working away on the installation. They show a water harvesting method, bright green fake turf, and vegetables growing in raised beds. This is exactly the kind of water use Tucson needs to cultivate. Go Realm, Grow Down!! You have my vote. The other designs were also very beautiful, but there was nothing to eat.