A magic morning in Helena

This morning in Helena was magical. The magic part of it was that I was up, dressed, and out the door with my camera at six AM. Those who know me well know that I am not an early morning person. On the days I go to work I have to depend on an alarm clock to get me up. My natural biorhythms don't wake me up before eight AM, which for a gardener in Alabama comes close to being a sin. But every morning as I was leaving Helena on my way to work, I would look at the mists coming up from the waters of Buck Creek and promise myself that I was coming back one morning with my camera.

Today was the day, and it was worth it. I felt so good when I left Buck Creek park that I decided to stop by Joe Tucker park and walk around the lake there. Positively invigorating. Almost enough to make me an early morning person. Both of these parks are inside Helena, close to where I live. I am truly blessed.

Technically, these parks might not be considered gardens, but I think a garden is any planted area, whether tended by God or man, that lifts the spirit. So here are a few "garden" photos from this morning. More of them can be seen if you click on Buck Creek park or Joe Tucker park to the right under my Photo Galleries.

Early morning mists rise from the waters of Buck Creek.This old tree is a guardian of Buck Creek. The misty waters of Buck Creek -is that a beaver or a log? I'm not sure.This is a view of a newer section of Old Town, Helena, from Buck Creek.This body of water above the dam on Buck Creek is called Lake Davidson.a view across the lake at Joe Tucker parkThis is a great place to sit and watch the ducks at Joe Tucker park.This beaver dam can be seen from a bridge which crosses one edge of the lake at Joe Tucker park.
This gray heron lives at Joe Tucker park. Mallards also live here, and geese are regular visitors.Magic mornings to you all - Deborah

Young Lovers at Aldridge Gardens

Lou and I went for an afternoon stroll at Aldridge Gardens in Hoover today. This thirty acre botanical garden is right off busy Lorna Road and near the Galleria mall and other large shopping areas, but you would never know it, once inside the gates. It is a wonderful retreat. A large lake has a wooded path around it, and there are many planting areas with flowers and shrubs that bloom at different times of the year. Today mums and pansies, camellias and a sprinkling of other plants were blooming, but the main attractions were the fall foliage and the serenity of the lake.

It is a romantic place. There are seating areas scattered along the trail around the lake, and we always see young lovers there. Today a man and woman were cuddled up together on a bench at one of the lake's loveliest overlooks. I was irritated at first, because I had planned to take a photo from that spot; but of course, I wouldn't interrupt their privacy.

I did glance at them as we passed. And smiled. The "young lovers" looked to be in their seventies, at least.

Well, Lou and I have been married for thirty four years, and we still feel like young lovers, too. (Sometimes) 

Here are a few of the photos of Aldridge Gardens I took today, dedicated to all young lovers, no matter how old you are.

The bald cypress drops its needles every fall. It's tree roots form knobby knees in the water at its base.

This is a view of the lake from the wooded trail.Look close. Can you see the turtles?These grasses are called Pennisetum alopecaroides 'Cassian'.The grasses along the shore shimmer in the afternoon sun.

the serene waters of the lake at Aldridge Gardensanother beautiful lake view

Don't forget to look down. This tapetry of leaves was at my feet. The green leaves are sassafras.Fallen leaves make a beautiful, if temporary, art work.