Riverbanks

Some photos from recent visits to the Riverbanks Botanical Gardens and zoo.

Even on overcast days, it is filled with beauty.

The tropical plants are at their largest around September and October. Most species like the banana plants die back to the ground in winter.

These cheerful yellow flowers command attention.

Below is Angel's Trumpet. I usually forget to take a photo of the plant label so I know what they are but I remembered with this marvelous one!

A 360 view of part of the gardens in September. Jim and I often have the gardens to ourselves when we stop by on weekday mornings (I probably shouldn't share that secret).

I have chronicled the drama of the white rhinos in the past. Nothing has changed so I don't think we will see a baby here in the future. These are the 2 ladies who get along. 

Giraffes are just amazing!

The baboons are usually just scratching themselves or cleaning insects off each other. However we witnessed one in deep thought! 

A super tiny Carolina Anole. We saw tons of babies this year and not many full grown. It must have been a difficult year for these little guys!

A papaya tree.

The bog garden in early fall.

Here is the bog garden in December.

Camellias are now in full bloom for the winter months. This ginko tree was still hanging on to its fall foliage at the beginning of December. It is such a beautiful canvas for the blooms.

Before leaf clean up!

Have a marvelous day/evening (wherever you are on the clock)! ~Val

Riverbanks Botanical Gardens

Here are photos from recent visits to the Riverbank Botanical Gardens in West Columbia, SC. I take pictures every time we are here since there is always something that commands my attention.

I love the use of pinks this year. Very cheerful!

One of my many favorite flowers is this gloriosa lily.

This golden bamboo is actually in the zoo side of the park. It is the only place I have ever seen a color bamboo other than green.

A huge, pretty leaf. I like to add my hand in photo to show size.

Another pretty one.

The bog garden.

Here it is a couple weeks later. Ever changing!

Carnivorous plants that make me think of cobras.

This plant below is just cool and strange. It is hanging in a pot but it may be an air plant due to its unique appearance.

These pretty leaves appear to sit on a mismatched stick, but that is indeed their stem holding it up.

A baby Carolina Anole enjoying the gloriosa lilies. He is camouflaged in there!

A bee heading for a sunflower.

These yellow flowers are just perfection.

A gigantic black elephant ear.

Big, beautiful rose of sharons are throughout the gardens. So many sizes, colors and patterns!
 

I hope you enjoyed our garden strolls too!

Have a marvelous day/evening (wherever you are on the clock)! ~Val

Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Just sharing a collection of photos from recent visits to the Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Gardens in South Carolina.

The smallest Carolina Anole I have seen yet looking for some prey on a trash can!

We stopped by to see the rhinos. Bill, the newest resident, still seems to be experiencing difficulty fitting in with this new habitatmates. We normally don't make it out to the overlook here since it tends to be crowded but we lucked out one day so we could see this handsome guy up close!

The siamangs (the largest gibbons) recently got a cool treehouse added to their habitat. They were on the far end at the time we were there (the 2 black dots in the far tree).

One of the smelliest sections of the zoo is the farm.

It is a super cute section where kids (and adults) can feed and pet goats, llamas, chickens and more. As you can see it was feeding time when we stopped by.

The farm also features a vegetable garden which is so great for showing kids how our food grows. Since the sprinkler was on at the time, we did not get to walk through.

On the wooded nature walk that connects the zoo and gardens we spotted a deer for the first time! She kept a close eye on us.

This walk gets very jungle like during the summer.

Early in the spring I showed the rock and roll inspired gardens (Prince, Beach Boys, Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen). They have all grown in beautifully! 

I love the touch of quirkiness these bring to the overall gardens.

There is a crazy tall, skinny flower from one of the plants shooting up in the air! I think it is from some form of cacti.

The edible garden is always interesting to check out. The only time I have seen persimmons grow is here.

Figs grow really well here too. 

Have a marvelous day/evening (wherever you are on the clock)! ~Val