of False Starts and Flowery Finishes

Armed with the Nikon F-301 film camera my son gave me, and a fresh roll of film, I set off to Kanapaha Botanical Gardens bright and early. And, on the pretense of keeping it running properly while he is away on deployment, I also took his sporty convertible instead of my boxy Honda. You can't be too careful about vehicular maintenance!

I had been looking forward to seeing the gardens again. Kanapaha has a couple of big plant sales each year, the biggest of which are Spring and Fall. In the fall, the accompanying orchid show is a treat, and I was eager to work with my camera some more.

Arriving at the Gardens, I followed the somewhat circuitous path indicated by the kids volunteering from NJROTC, and made my way to the parking area in a field out in the back forty. Entering from the far side of the park, the first stop is the Water Gardens and I positioned myself for what I hoped would the first of more than a few terrific, if lucky, shots and pushed the button. The camera made a lugging noise, beeped uncooperatively several times, and then refused to do anything else. I'm no engineer, but I deduced that perhaps the batteries were dead so.....

Back to the car I traipsed...back out the winding path to the main road...and off to the nearest gas station. OK, so maybe I'm a bit of an idiot, but I had a dickens of a time figuring out where the batteries went. But about the time the Indian behind the counter inside was probably starting to wonder what on earth I was doing out there, I located a little screwy knob on the bottom of the camera and - voila - battery compartment. That little chore done, back to the Gardens I drove...back around the circuitous path...back to the parking field to a new and improved spot which offered shade under an oak tree (and also birdy poopy on the seats when I returned later in the afternoon)...and back to the Water Gardens.

The Water Gardens, including its ponds, streams and waterfalls, as well as irrigation throughout the park, are supplied with reclaimed water from Gainesville Regional Utilities' nearby Kanapaha Water Treatment Plant. The reclaimed water is high in nitrogen and phosphorous, and the perfect brew for the many species of water plants, including the world's largest water lily, Amazonian Water Platters. Now, all that greenie stuff is well and good, but what I really like is feeding the koi!

Electing to bypass the orchid show and plant sale for the moment, I entered the path which winds from Garden to Garden, meandering around the periphery of a wide expanse of meadow which is the center of the park.

The first display is the Vinery, where wisteria and Confederate jasmine cover the arbors and trellises. Bumblebees and butterflies feast on nectar from more types of flowering vines than I can name, including honeysuckle, passion flower, and lace ferns.

From there, the path leads into the Nature Trail where, on your right, is a giant ship's anchor found off the coast of St. Augustine, the oldest city in America, in 1939.

The Nature Trail is North Central Florida in her next-to-natural state. The meandering path curves though an at once wild, and well tended, hardwood hammock of native species such as cabbage palm, Southern Magnolia, live oak, laurel and sugarberry trees. And, as is not uncommon in this part of Florida, the Nature Trail also offers prime examples of sink holes!

The long path through the shady Nature Trail opens up into the enormous Herb Garden, which is tended by my friend, Jonathan. Hundreds of herbs, for countless purported applications, are arranged in geometrical, maze-like patters. The "Knot Garden," though now past its seasonal prime, is planted in a classical Celtic knot. Informational signs offer names and uses of each plant, some of which are familiar and some highly unusual.



According to ancient writings, Buddha found enlightenment sitting under a Bo Tree. This is Jonathan doing his best to get a clue under a Bo sapling! It takes a Bo Tree hundreds of years to mature, so this may take a while! ;)

One of my favorite displays at Kanapaha Gardens is the bamboo forest, which is the largest collection of bamboo in the state. It is peaceful there, in the shade of hundred-foot-tall forests. The wind rustles the leaves and gently rattle the canes, as water trickles from the shishi-odoshi fountain.

Walking slowly, trying to take it all in, I made my way from garden to garden. Each time I walk the paths I see something I missed before; some new treasure of Nature, the simple appreciation of which brings me peace and contentment.The photos didn't come out half-bad, either!

(click to enlarge)