SPRING at Morton Arboretum - MyShadowProductions #170

Hey everybody !!

Well, I hit the jackpot on 4/20, no not the Weedy kind of jackPot :), but the “It Was a Great Spring Day” kind of Jackpot :) Also, (a little useless info) 4/20 2024 is the same (kind of:) backwards?

I went to the Morton Arboretum not sure if I was too late or too early for some Spring Color. Turns out it was just right (for me anyway).

The weather was great, a “Look Like Temperature of 70 degrees”, “Feel Like Temperature of 42 degrees” and “Actual Temperature of 48 degrees”, with plenty of sunshine and blue skies with classic, fluffy (I can’t think of a better term :) clouds.

What says Spring more than Daffodils, Tulips, Magnolias, Red Bud Trees, Crabapple Trees, Wildflowers, Baby Geese, Robins, Cardinals, Squirrels, Green Grass, etc. and all the fragrances that a Camera cannot capture?

Click Here for a Video created from my photos of the day.

This Short Video was part of the previous Video. Did you notice the Great Blue Heron flying or did your eyes focus on the car? Sorry it isn’t very clear, I think I “zoomed in” too much?

My vote for MVP (Most Visible Plant) of the day would be the REDBUDS :)

One thing I missed/forgot was a MyShadow photo :( 

Here is one on a different day while walking:

I also feel like Spring deserves a HAIKU :)

I saw some really cool art while walking between Union Station and the Green Line “L” stop on Clinton St, on the way to a volunteer shift at the Garfield Park Conservatory. It was in the lobby of an office building and it is called Sand Painting. Luckily I was able to walk in the building and take some photos:

You can CLICK HERE to read his website and learn about his interesting talent, he even has Videos showing start to finish of “Paintings” :)

Let’s All Have a Great Week and a Warm Welcome to the Month of May :)

Jackson Park and Garden of the Phoenix - MyShadowProductions #169

Hello again everyone!!

Jackson Park is another Park in the Chicago Parks and Boulevards System.

It is just South of the Museum of Science and Industry on the South Side of Chicago. I went to Union Station by Metra Train from Aurora, walked to State Street (15 minutes) and took the 6 Bus (express to Jackson Park), about 25 minutes.

My plan was to get some photos of the 190+ Cherry Trees in the Park before they blossomed and I did that. Unfortunately the second part of my plan was to return later when the trees were at full blossom but the weather didn’t cooperate and the buds sort of skipped the full blossom stage and started to leave.

Some of the trees had small blossoms but nothing like the full blossoms from the past that the Chicago Park District website shows here.

I had been waiting for the Full Blossoms to get follow up photos but the Park District updated their website on April 18 and said the Full Blossoms would not happen, so …….

Within Jackson Park is Wooded Island with walking trails, a Japanese Garden (Garden of the Phoenix) and a Sculpture by Yoko Ono!

The info below was added 4/26/24 (see comments below)

Garden of the Phoenix

Ho-oh-den Phoenix Temple and Garden, Jackson Park, ca. 1936, Chicago Park District Special Collections

The Garden of the Phoenix symbolizes the mutual respect and friendship that Japan and the United States initiated more than 120 years ago. In 1893, here on Jackson Park's Wooded Island, the Japanese Government built the Ho-oh-den (Phoenix Temple ) as a pavilion for the World's Columbian Exposition. The Ho-oh-den Introduced Japan's artistic heritage to Americana and remained as a gift to Chicago after the Fair The original pavilion had only a small garden; however, in the mid-1930s, the newly formed Chicago Park District restored the pavilion and added a more extensive Japanese Garden Funded by the Works Progress Administration. the project incorporated Japanese elements including a small tea house from Chicago's 1933-34 World's Fair, A Century of Progress, in Burnham Park. After this site was repeatedly vandalized during WWII, fire destroyed the Phoenix Temple in 1946, less than a year after the war ended in the Pacific. Although Japan and America entered into a peace treaty in 1952, the garden deteriorated and received only minor improvements until the early 1930s, when the Chicago Park District received a federal grant for it’s restoration.

Since then, the Garden of the Phoenix has

bean revitalized several times, including a 1992 project that celebrated Chicago's Sister City relationship with Osaka, Japan.

Today, Chicago Park District works with non profit organizations

Project 120 Chicago and The Garden of the Phoenix Foundation to enhance, maintain, interpret and promote the legacy of this historic garden and Jackson Park.

o   Please respect the high level of maintenance that goes into caring for this garden and remain on the pathways.

o   Fishing, bicycles, pets, picnics, parties, or large groups, etc. are not allowed as they disrupt this special experience.

o   This garden is under 24 hour video surveillance and closes dally an hour after sundown. Violators are subject to arrest.

CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT

 

Click Here for a Video created from my photos there along with some random photos at the Garfield Park Conservatory (beginning and end of the Video :).

Another visitor to the Park appeared to be a big fan of Yoko Ono and hopefully she doesn’t mind being a part of my photos.

I also have a Bonus Video of more “Street/Sidewalk Art from Aurora as well as a few “Guest Cities”. As always, I use the term “Street/Sidewalk Art” very loosely, just accumulating photos as they catch my eye. View the Video here.

Have a Great Week and Enjoy the Roller Coaster Temperature Swings !!

Day Trip to Garfield Park Conservatory - MyShadowProductions #168

Happy April everyone and in case you haven’t heard, there is a Total Eclipse of the Heart Sun on Monday, April 8, 2024 (a little Bonnie Tyler/Meatloaf musical humor :)

In my last Post I mentioned the Chicago Park and Boulevard System and that I had visited one of the Gems of Chicago’s “Emerald Necklace”.

The Garfield Park Conservatory is not a Hidden Gem, it is a very visible Oasis/Gem on the West side of the City of Chicago located in Garfield Park. 

Click here to read about the Garfield Park Conservatory and its history.

The trip for me involved a 15 minute walk to the Aurora Metra Station, 1 hour train ride to Union Station, 20 minute walk to N Clinton Street Station to catch the Green Line “L” train, 10 minute wait?, 12 minutes on the train and exit at the Conservatory Stop/Central Park Ave and a 7 minute walk to the entrance :)

It might sound like a lot but it is actually kind of interesting and is a good way to start a day. The Green Line (West Lake Street) passes through some neighborhoods that appear to have had better days but there are signs of revitalization. It also passes a few blocks north of the United Center (some day I will get off and get a photo of the Michael Jordan statue :)

The drawing below is a very minimal map of the Conservatory and Grounds:

CLICK HERE for a Video created from my photos taken during my visit on March 15, 2024 :)

In addition, I Get to Volunteer at the Garfield Park Conservatory. I have already completed 3 different shifts, 9am to noon. I “pruned?”, “weeded?” a small section of Maidenhair ferns/Mossy Rocks? :) and twice have Deadheaded Azalea bushes from the Show House for future blooming :)

My goal/plan is to try and Volunteer there one day a week.

Spring is trying to start here in the Aurora area and with forecasted temperatures in the 60’s (maybe low 70’s) next week, it just might happen :) Here are a few photos of “Spring” so far:

                                               A couple of Gulls visiting the area :)

The “white” along the banks is not ice or snow but “foam” from the water flowing over the upstream dams.

Enjoy your Spring  :)