Scenes from Seattle

Seward Park is the Northwest cousin of Green Brook Park and others designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. It is a peninsula of old-growth forest that juts out into Lake Washington.
Peter and I went to this picnic area to join an Audubon tour, but it must have left on the dot of 8 a.m. So we took our own tour.
Here's a glimpse of the lake. I have never seen such enormous trees, including redwoods and many evergreens (that's why Washington is known as the Evergreen State).
Here's a garden by the Audubon Center, which is also the Environmental Center.
Lush growth and magnificent colors greet the eye at every turn.
Seattle's ties to Japan include many gestures of friendship, including gifts of sculptures and trees. Here is a temple lantern.
Rhododendrons thrive in Washington and we saw many elegant displays around the city.
I wish Dr. Palermo was here to identify all the species of trees.
This bush outside Audrey and Peter's house is a real stumper, with its huge leaves and big clusters of black berries. You can bet I will be referring to my "Plants of the Northwest" book when I get back home.
Another stop today was at Volunteer Park Conservatory, where we saw ferns, palms, cacti, bromeliads and more.

We also went to the new Olympic Sculpture Park.

Here I am with a Calder to one side and the Space Needle in the background. Seattle holds art in high regard and funding is generous for spectacular projects such as this. The Seattle Art Museum purchased the land in 1999 and the park was developed over eight years. It includes lots of plantings and walkways that complement the sculptures and provide a memorable experience that bears repeating as the seasons change.

Thanks to Audrey for co-blogging.

--Bernice Paglia