The Gardens

I just realized I visited the Gardens (the Toronto Botanical and Edwards Gardens) almost exactly a year ago, last July 2nd.  It seems that every time I visit, different things caught my eye.  One likely reason is because the flowers and plants peak at different times in different years.  When I look at last year's photos I noticed that many of the summer flowers in full bloom this time last year are already wilted today.  But the wonderful thing about the Gardens is that no matter when you go, there are always things to capture with your camera.  So here it is, the second edition of "The Gardens".

Love the lavender!

Busy bee in an amazing cactus flower

This is the Spiral Mound which you can walk to the top of supposedly to get a panoramic view of the gardens - but the top is so overgrown you have to take your panoramic picture before you get to the top.  And here's the view before you get to the top...

Fuzzy lamb's ears

Amazing red maples

Random wall in the Floral Courtyard with bamboo 

Even the hostas look great in the wild garden

Awesome ornamental grasses!

 I would love to know if these are corn lilies (and they are not, my  gardener friend told me they are astilbes - thanks!)

Always photogenic

The Gardens - Almost free concert

We were at the Gardens again tonight.  Fabulous concert in the Edwards Summer Music Series with Suba Sankaran and her father Trichy Sankaran, master drummer.  The master had the drum in total control, manipulating the rhythm and the sound with such dexterity it's totally awe-inspiring.  You can hear a sampling on his website.  I had not gone back to Indian music after I fell asleep at a Ravi Shankar concert many years ago - my mistake.  Tonight, I'm quite content just listening to the drums - it's complete in itself.  But Suba Sankaran has a lovely voice - a pleasure to listen to but the drummer is the star tonight.  And the gardens in the evening light provided a suitably dramatic backdrop - wrapping up a gorgeous summer day in the city.

The Gardens

Right in the middle of uptown Toronto is a green oasis of beauty and calm - Edwards Gardens.  I'd always loved its accessibility and the peacefulness it offers - the expansive grounds and the walk down the valley provide ample opportunities for the photographer.   With the adjacent Toronto Botanical Gardens, there is the bonus of seasonal changes in the floral displays.  You can see some of them here.

One of many giant willows in the Gardens

A Monet!