Other than the scary plane flight back home (oh my!), my time in Florida could not have been better. The company of dear friends, along with delicious food and drink, was more than enough to make me happy. The addition of warmer temperatures, even if accompanied by rain and overcast skies, and a visit to the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, made for a wonderful weekend.
“Nested in 14 acres and amongst 12 buildings, the gardens are an open-air and under-glass museum of thousands of colorful and exotics plants. The mission of the gardens is to provide an oasis of inspiration and tranquility, while furthering the understanding and appreciation of plants, especially epiphytes (a plant that derives its moisture and nutrients from the air and rain and usually grows on another plant). Selby Gardens is known for its living collection of more than 6,000 orchids, but it is also an established authority on other epiphytes including bromeliads, gesneriads, and other plants”.
I’m not sure when I’ve been to a place where I’ve known so little and learned so much! My ability with the camera did not do justice to the glory of these plants (tripods were not allowed iin the orchid house), but the photos do reveal their vibrant colors and uniqueness.
This Fig Tree had the most incredible root system.
Despite the focus on plant life, the Gardens are home to wildlife as well.
I was so focused on capturing the color of this plant that I didn’t realize until later that I beheaded this little critter.
The Rainforest Masks of Costa Rica were on display, in the 10th annual exhibition of the people of Boruca. The masks are carved from native woods and are intricately painted in vibrant acrylic pigments. Incredible!
The historic Selby estate contains gardens devoted to Bamboo and Banyans, Cactus and Succulents, Bonsai, Hibiscus, Tropical Fruit, Fern, Native Florida Plants, Mangroves, Tropical Hardwoods, as well as Orchids.
Even the gate that surrounds the property is a work of art.
Multiple visits would be needed to fully appreciate the gardens, a must see for plant / flower lovers.
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 
Wow you got some great images LB looks like a great place to visit and take photos.
Leanne, I would love to see what you could have done with your talent / camera!
Wow, you caught some really intriguing images….love the root system of the fig tree 🙂
The fig tree was incredible! I took so many photos of it, I was so enamored!
What a wonderful job on the photos and the post Laurie 😀 That root system on that fig tree is incredible. Bravo ! Have a great day.
Thanks for your always positive comments, Joe! They mean alot to me! Isn’t that Fig Tree amazing?
It really is the root system is spectacular 😀
Beautiful photos! Thanks for bringing pretty flowers to my computer screen.
So glad you enjoyed the Botanical Gardens … via my blog 🙂
Beautiful pictures! Impossible to pick a favorite!
Thank you, Angelique, for your kind comment!
Beautiful…
Thank you, Jeff. You and your camera would have been happy there 🙂
Thank you for sharing the delights of these gardens. A bit of nostalgia for me – my mother traveled the gardens of Florida and she had an orchid garden of over 100 plants right outside our back door! I was most drawn to your photo of the curling white flower thingy. Was it the shoot an orchid sent out for its flowers?
Wow! 100 plants! So your green thumb is inherited! I’m not sure about that white curly thing …I wish i’d paid more attention to the names of plants 🙂
Love the fig tree roots! How cool!
Aren’t they cool! I took so many photos of them! They had a children’s rainforest that the adults loved, too!
These are all lovely photos! I especially love the tree roots!
That Fig Tree was a favorite of mine, and obviously of those checking out this blog post 🙂
Beautiful photos!! That fig tree is amazing. 🙂
Good to hear from you! That Fig is the hit of the post (and mine, too!)
Stunning! I saved this post for this morning so I could look at the photos at my leisure – they are all equally wonderful! I so admire the eye that looks through the lens and knows how to get the fabulous image! Thank you Laurie – this is beautiful xoxo
Pauline, you always know just the right thing to say!! Thank you so very much.
Laurie, these photos are absolutely stunning. You could sell each and everyone of them in the gardens gift shop. The specimens on display are amazing. You’ve really captured the essence of the gardens, and now I want to go, too.
Sharing….
Thanks for your generous comments AND for sharing on your FB page. Smiling!
Your work is lovely.
Great work Laurie. The second picture is my favorite but they are all quite good.
Mike!! So good to read your comment, and I thank you. I love the colors of that orchid, and also the varying patterns on the petals. It was an incredible place to be!
I’m certain I’ve never seen a garden park more beautiful Laurie. You’ve managed to capture it beautify with your camera. My gosh, have you considered emailing them with the URL for this post? They would be thrilled. I think I see a spider in the one with the upside-down Gramaphone type flowers (I don’t know what they’re called. I shudder when I think of your flight. Sounds horrifying to be tossed around so violently that you’re diverted. I’d probably start crying. Looks like Alys would love to go here, I’ll add that to our list 😀
Such a good idea to share think link. I will!!
And I have to tell you that I did NOT see that spider! So glad your eye caught it. Love that!!
Yes, the flight was scary. Interesting … the wreck and post wreck trauma had me more frightened than normal (and I shed some tears, too), but I was also more patient with the schedule upheaval and just so grateful to be on the ground.
Perspective!
??? Wreck? As in Airplane wreck? What have I missed? Gads, I was under the impression you were diverted due to extreme rough weather that was tossing you about. I had no idea your plane was in a wreck…LB OMgosh. It’s worst than I thought. !!
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Awesome shots …
Thank you! I, of course, am critical of the photos, but they make for a nice post all in all 🙂
Very unique photos. Must be fantastic to see these in person!
Those are stunning photos! I loved the tree roots–something about roots really intrigues me. Also love the colorful fish in such close proximity. And the orchids–one of my favorite flowers. Ours are in full bloom right now. Thank you for taking me along on this visit to such beautiful gardens.
Looks like an absolutely amazing place and your photos are fabulous! So much beauty! 🙂
Such beautiful photos Laurie, wonderful work! Those roots of the fig tree look a bit spooky somehow. 🙂
Isn’t that tree awesome? Those roots were incredible (and yes, kind of spooky)
I’m crazy for orchids, and your photos do them justice. The tree reminds of the Lord of the Rings for some reason. Maybe they evoke magic and fantasy? Perhaps it is an Ent.
The Marie Selby is one of my favourite botanical gardens. I think you have a good eye.
Thank you so much! I’ll look forward to visiting your blog, too. From your blog name alone, I’ll bet you know many of the flowers at the Marie Selby. It was an incredible place!
Botanical Gardens are the best – especially tropical ones! Wonderful observations here!
Thank you … it was a wondeful visit and I surely wish I’d had a tripod!