In the afternoon, we were given a quick tour of the Missouri Botanical Garden - the second largest botanical garden in the world (after Royal Botanic Gardens in UK).
Really nice weather today.
There were many Red Admirals (Vanessa atalanta) in the garden, as well as Carpenter Bees (Xylocopa sp.) and honey bees.
Unknown Syrphid
Unlike the robins in Canada, the American Robins in St. Louis have built their nests and seem to be in egg-laying or incubating stages already.
There are a couple of buildings that host exotic plants, such as the Temperate House with plants from places like Mediterraneans.
Definitely has that feel to it.
There are many plants with interesting facts.
Ruscus sp. with branches like actually look like leaves. Fascinating. I assume they carry out the photosynthetic functions of a regular leaf and are one of the adaptive traits to live in temperate regions.
Gazania flower
In adjacent to the Temperate House in the famous Climatron.
A strange transparent fish swimming in a small rice paddy.
Aside from plants, there are animals to see here too, such as these reptiles.
Taken far away with my flash on. I wish I know the name of this animal.
Climatron also houses some Silver-beaked Tanagers (Ramphocelus carbo) from South America.
Taking a bath.
Climatron from the outside. Definitely a landmark worth visiting.
Then we walked more around the MBG. Engaging pollination biologists discussing about honey bees next to some bee boxes, I assume.
Through the apples trees.
Butterfly House. I like the shadows.
Prairie Garden, with a Purple Martin House in the center of the picture.
A turtle basking in the sun in the English Woodland Garden.
Beautiful colours from the Japanese Maples.
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