The artistic and creative musings of Gillian Olson who sells cards and prints through her PS Whimsy website and displays art on Gillian Olson Art website. The weekly "Whimsy Wednesday" Behind the Brush post will feature photographs, sketches and paintings, and give you a peek into what is happening in her studio.
First I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year.
The weather has been dreary, the days short and dark so needing some colour meant going indoors. I chose the Blodel Conservatory which is both an indoor garden and aviary. In 1969, Prentice Bloedel, founder of Canadian timber giant MacMillan Bloedel Ltd., gave the park over $1 million toward the development of the plaza, including the covered walkways, fountains and domed Bloedel Floral Conservatory.
"... over 100 birds of various species call the Bloedel Conservatory home and free-fly within its spacious dome. It was constructed through a very generous donation from Prentice Bloedel in 1969."
Made of an intricate framework of tubular steel elements supporting 1490 Plexiglas bubbles, the Conservatory is a triodetic dome, 140 ft in diameter and 70 ft high.
Inside, visitors enjoy tropical forest plants, flowers, cacti, and exotic birds including parrots. There are three simulated climates within the dome: tropical rain forest, sub-tropical forest and desert. At this time of year the dome not only has its usual array of tropical plants and flowers but also hundreds of poinsettias and some flowering spring bulbs.
After removing my coat, I spent an hour or more wandering slowly around and taking pictures.
One of the many types of orchids
The birds fly around or walk around on the pathways and the dome is filled with their chatter. Some oblivious to visitors others observing them closely. I saw one of the parrots (Casey I think) perched on a visitor's shoulder, both parrot and visitor seemed happy with the arrangement.
This is Monty the Princess Parrot
Casey the yellow crowned Amazon Parrot
A Chinese Golden Pheasant (above and close up below)
There were many small birds, some very colourful, some quite drab by comparison. I don't know the names of the small birds.
Nelson is a dwarf Macaw
Bamboo shoot
Art, a blue and gold Macaw
Another look at Casey
Lollipop Plant
Plantain Banana
Maria and Carmen, green winged Macaws
At the end of my visit I felt some colour and life had returned to my creative side, which had become drained by the hectic season and gloomy weather. I may have to return again before the winter is over, for another "fix" of colour, and with the modest admission charge (less than a movie) I think this very likely.
Colour My World:
I have been very busy reorganizing my studio and cleaning so have little creative to offer other than today's pictures.
Happy Whimsy Wednesday, until next week.....
"I cannot pretend to be impartial about the colours. I rejoice with the brilliant ones, and am genuinely sorry for the poor browns." Winston Churchill
