I have more photos to share of the Conservatory and a few from the Academy of Sciences. It was difficult to get really good photos at the academy but it really needs to be visited in person to get the full benefit anyways.
In my last post I shared photos of the orchids primarily but the bromeliads were just as colorful and interesting. The room they are housed in has a large pond centered in it and filled with aquatic plants.
![DSC_0025 DSC_0025](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-e6D5LxaTx20/Tvng5uRFlII/AAAAAAAADVU/h00q28GktUg/DSC_0025_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Bromeliads and carnivorous plants overflow tables, pots and hang from faux trees. Some have blooms and others have vivid foliage that is lovely.
![DSC_0026 DSC_0026](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-O19I-4j107s/Tvng75jarOI/AAAAAAAADVk/HCWBtsbwOIc/DSC_0026_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
A Pitcher plant..
![DSC_0027 DSC_0027](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jwmdrHpphV4/Tvng96Bx9LI/AAAAAAAADV0/-qJKjmzax1Y/DSC_0027_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Who needs flowers when you have fuchsia pink foliage…
![DSC_0031 DSC_0031](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-esPagD8LPdA/TvnhA5-sMqI/AAAAAAAADWE/qRb7m_P6YqQ/DSC_0031_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
![DSC_0032 DSC_0032](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Y1VCU_w4mvo/TvnhEeUjstI/AAAAAAAADWU/F1qS2nJJrNI/DSC_0032_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
![DSC_0035 DSC_0035](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zMAd9yGgCMA/TvnhF61YvCI/AAAAAAAADWk/OIk1yt4eEsg/DSC_0035_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Did you know that the Pineapple is a bromeliad? The first ever cultivated or so the docent said. If you look close you can see a pineapple growing in there.
![DSC_0052 DSC_0052](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-owheR12K0Y0/TvnhHm4ATyI/AAAAAAAADW0/ukBfEYPEvaE/DSC_0052_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
So many interesting shapes of blooms.
![DSC_0038 DSC_0038](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-StP5uOSUTSk/TvnhJiNTl-I/AAAAAAAADXE/vhz0Z-e5JNg/DSC_0038_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
And combination of colors
![DSC_0040 DSC_0040](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JHIiLr13C1s/TvnhLZJvLnI/AAAAAAAADXU/k3eJG5eiXmU/DSC_0040_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
![DSC_0042 DSC_0042](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-grLUHxNGQpo/TvnhNoCLdsI/AAAAAAAADXk/mjJPZoa5jYQ/DSC_0042_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
See the water held in the center? In the wild frogs place their babies in there along with some extra eggs for them to nosh on as they grow, high up in the rain forest canopy. The darker pink ring is actually the water line.
![DSC_0046 DSC_0046](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7i2YrSatHvA/TvnhP_5jLdI/AAAAAAAADX0/8ZojhMEh-uc/DSC_0046_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
![DSC_0045 DSC_0045](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jiqEQHX7Xes/TvnhTz3r2GI/AAAAAAAADYE/SVOhQD0784M/DSC_0045_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
![DSC_0047 DSC_0047](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YLtsuDAQd08/TvnhYCbXhZI/AAAAAAAADYU/wtWpWEJHQSI/DSC_0047_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
This lily pad hanging from the ceiling is a casting of the one they have in the pond normally, right now it is dormant but they said this past summer it bloomed a least 15 times. It is 8 feet across.
![DSC_0053 DSC_0053](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Wdt1LFx513U/TvnhasdaO5I/AAAAAAAADYk/G_AeuKvACiA/DSC_0053_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
You see the pink flower beside it? When it first opens up it is white, then certain beetles land on it, it closes around them but does not harm them, and when it opens back up and lets them free it is then pink. They do not know why.
Some of the plants you may recognize as they are commonly as house plants.
![DSC_0077 DSC_0077](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-v2W7eF-8FpE/TvnheHrahII/AAAAAAAADY0/erDuYoDG4w8/DSC_0077_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
I know, you have had enough of plants. Well, how about an albino alligator. This was one of the decent photos I got at the Academy. At first he just does not look real, you stare and stare at him until he moves. An interesting critter.
![DSC_0022 DSC_0022](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NmQ7zq1tdgY/Tvnhg8JpKeI/AAAAAAAADZE/Eav9XCRlUY0/DSC_0022_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
The waxy green frogs are aptly names, they remind you of silly putty.
![DSC_0018 DSC_0018](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ex9VWvhSgvo/TvnhiiICVRI/AAAAAAAADZU/kieZZ5-aJKA/DSC_0018_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
![DSC_0017 DSC_0017](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ITlYvFPkmUM/Tvnhko4Tw9I/AAAAAAAADZk/SFe30s6Q6pw/DSC_0017_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Nice big rattlesnakes.
![DSC_0013 DSC_0013](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TTNBxIK2Mbg/TvnhmjT2EXI/AAAAAAAADZ0/wpEDKg3aB5o/DSC_0013_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
And lots of butterflies in the greenhouse dome.
![DSC_0042 DSC_0042](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MV6C_REU9Ac/TvnhouvtVlI/AAAAAAAADaE/Dk067y-zOM8/DSC_0042_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
You get the picture of how diverse the Academy is, an aquarium also filled with the most interesting creatures. I found the sea anemones much like under water flowers. so bright and colorful.
Well, that is all I have time to share this morning, time to get to work around here. More signs to paint and I am finally getting around to building my painting table! I hope. At least it is on my list today.
Have a great day!
![signaturePamela signaturePamela](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CjsWoPUBJ2c/TvnhpN23L4I/AAAAAAAADaU/GzeaALVCIY0/signaturePamela_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800)
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ekhvyqRkZvM/Tmql3eHPrkI/AAAAAAAAHG0/aQ0-otOfYE4/s150/z%2BWoman%2BApron%2B1b.png)
So glad I stopped by! I learned so much from this post. Now you have me really wondering about that white bloom turning to pink after catching a beetle thing! I was not expecting the albino alligator and almost jumped out of my seat! Thanks for the tour!
ReplyDeletewow, i love your banner & hens. your photos remind me of visiting the Botanic Gardens in Washington DC ... but it's a tiny place. there are no alligators there ....
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful & Interesting pics ! Thanks for sharing ! Happy New Year !
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures! I'm looking forward to heading up there some time this year. Have you ever been to the Huntington Botanical Gardens down south? Absolutely beautiful.
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