The Gardens in Late Winter

The sun was out this afternoon, and the temperature was perfect for enjoying the Albuquerque Botanical Gardens.


This time of year - well, maybe all year round - my favorite part of the Gardens is the Japanese Garden. It is so peaceful.






Here is a close-up of a yucca plant, and a version of the same picture that I turned into an abstract piece, using Photoshop. The yucca is New Mexico's state flower. This variety has curly "threads" along the spiky leaves. We have a large one of these in our yard, at the side of the house.


For the most part, winter still has a grip on the gardens, as seen in leafless trees and a few remaining berries from last summer.



But there were definite signs of a new beginning. Spring is on its way!




And speaking of "new beginnings" . . . this soon-to-be-married bride and groom were at the gardens with their photographer, to take wedding pictures. The bride was beautiful, in her fur-trimmed white cape. For their trek through the park, though, she was wearing black athletic shoes, while the groom carried her sparkly blue heels, to be worn for the photo shoot.