Callaway Gardens – Summer 2008

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After two years of talking about it, Rich and I finally made it to Callaway Gardens…and thanks to Tropical Storm Fay, it rained the whole time we were there! But I saw my first hummingbirds, we were pleasantly surprised to run into some of our FL winter bird friends, and two of the butterflies in the butterfly center liked my backpack so much that they tried to come home with me! So it was a good trip overall, and we’re looking forward to going back to see the fall colors (and more hummers!!) :)

I had never seen hummingbirds up close before, so I was content to stand at the flowerbeds in front of the Day Butterfly Center for a long time, just observing the little guys zipping around.  I think I was able to get some pretty good pictures, too.

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

At first, when Rich wanted to go to Mr. Cason’s Vegetable Garden, I groaned and thought, “I don’t want to spend hours looking at peppers and carrots!” Boy did my opinion of the place change as soon as I walked in and saw all the songbirds! The garden is a certified bird habitat.

Hummingbird Nook

Hummingbird Nook

It was fun to see the goldfinches, in their bright yellow plumage, living year-round in Georgia (they only winter in Florida). This guy was pigging out on sunflower seeds and this is one of my favorite pictures ever.

Goldfinch

Goldfinch

This scruffy-looking cardinal enjoyed the sunflowers, too.

Cardinal

Cardinal

Another Florida winter-only visitor greeted us with its distinct “Phoebe” call.

Eastern Pheobe

Eastern Pheobe

In Florida, the Carolina wrens hang out in the underbrush, and you rarely see them. At Callaway Gardens, you tend to see them more.

Carolina Wren

Carolina Wren

There were brown thrashers everywhere.

http://garden.catandturtle.net/callaway_gardens/IMG_3100.jpg

http://garden.catandturtle.net/callaway_gardens/IMG_3100.jpg

We spent several hours in the Day Butterfly Center. There are tons of butterflies there, and they fly all around you.

Blue Moon

Blue Moon

Paper Kites

Paper Kites

Swallowtail

Swallowtail

Malaysian Lacewing

Malaysian Lacewing

Unknown

Unknown

Yellow Mormon

Yellow Mormon

Pioneer Log Cabin

Pioneer Log Cabin

Chipmunk

Chipmunk

Whippoorwill Lake View

Whippoorwill Lake View

Black-Eyed Susans

Black-Eyed Susans

Want to learn more about nature photography at Callaway Gardens?

Check out my Callaway Gardens page with more information about the location, map, website, photography tips, etc. It is archived by date so you can see my images from previous visits. Maybe you'll be inspired for your own trip!

Planning a trip to Florida? Don't miss my Central Florida Bird Photography Locations reference guide!