Rose Scented Stroll...

It's been over a week since I've posted anything here at Hootin' Anni's abode. Master Bathroom prep for redecorating has kept me a bit locked up with no where to go but on the ladder. Up and down, up and down. Thursday afternoon, after a lunch break, I felt like getting out in the fresh air and walking... even if it had rained and threatened more to come within the next few hours of that day. The forefront of the massive hurricane [Patricia] that hit the west coast of Old Mexico was barreling down on parts of Texas by the beginning of Thursday, so there have been bouts of heavy rain and now flooding from the storm after landfall. But, on my afternoon break, it wasn't all that wet. I drove to the Botanical Gardens to get out and about and see what bird activity I could find out in the Garden's Wetland Preserve and Gator Pond. By the time I arrived, the winds had kicked up...keeping the birds inactive. I walked the entire 180+ acre perimeter/pathways and enjoyed the quiet and solitude.  From a few species of water fowl to turtles and tortoises - to the butterfly house, and rose cotillion to the arid desert with the cactus blossoms just readying to open for the night, I stopped a while at the wetlands preserve to watch and took photos. Before leaving, I also walked the Tropical Plumeria Path with all the beautiful blossoms that linger.

Throughout my 2 hour walk the high winds scented the entire area with sweet roses. Everywhere I went, the spicy fragrance of roses permeated the air...

A few cactus blossoms:













...an outdoor orchid



Part of The Butterfly House



Some Fenced Areas holding Turtles, Tortoises and Lizards:




The Rose Cotillion and Fountain:




A Northern Cardinal [male]


The Plumeria Path



A Curlew in the Wetlands Preserve