I was eager to return to Western Australia ever since my visit in 2016, and one of the top places on my list was Kings Park. It boasts the largest collection of Western Australian plants globally, featuring over 3,000 native
In April, Scott and I embarked on an unforgettable botanical expedition that took us on a 1000-mile journey from Tijuana to Cabo San Lucas to view the rare plant life in Baja, Mexico. Our group was composed of seven guests,
In December, Scott Borden, eight friends and I visited Patagonia on a Natural Habitat Adventures tour. We visited a bird sanctuary, watched a glacier calving into Lago Argentina, stayed in EcoCamp with views of Torres de Paine, saw two pumas,
Since my column is called “My Life with Plants,” it seems only fitting that I have an article about plants that are much, much older than my comparatively short life, four thousand years old in fact. I’m talking about the
We were originally scheduled to visit the California Channel Islands on a National Geographic / Lindblad Expedition in the spring 2020, but the trip was cancelled due to COVID. We were finally able to take the trip this April and
This past October, Scott and I headed to the Carolinas’ Blue Ridge Mountains to see the fabulous fall foliage on a bicycling tour hosted by Backroads. To be able to enjoy the long rides and big hills we opted to
California Adventure Part Five – I can hear you say, “What happened to parts one through four?” Well, I’ll tell you what happened … In 2020, I turned 65 and it also was my 40th year living in California. So,
This is a continuation of our trip to Costa Rica in November 2019. See Previous 2 post for earlier places we visited on the tour. After a final look at the bird and bromeliads at the Las Cruces Botanical station
After several days in around San José we boarded small planes and flew to the Pacific side of Costa Rica to Golfito, near the Panama border. Upon arrival we boarded small boats and visited a private garden on a island
In November of 2019, Scott and I participated in the Pacific Horticulture Tour of Costa Rica. San José Our trip started in the capital city, San José. From there we did several day long trips. On a walking tour of
In October 2019, the author joined a unique plant expedition to Peru, focusing on native cacti and bromeliads, alongside a visit to Machu Picchu. Inspired by Inca history, they explored the ancient site amidst fog and rain, experiencing its stunning architecture and biodiversity, while learning about its rich cultural significance and agriculture.
In September, a plant expedition tour in Peru focused on cacti and bromeliads, offering a unique experience beyond typical gardens. The journey included crossing the Andes, visiting cultural sites, and witnessing the rare Puya raimondii in Huascarán National Park. The blooming spectacle attracted numerous birds, highlighting its ecological significance.
In July 2018, Scott and I visited western South Dakota and Wyoming. We were in search of alpine wildflowers in the mountains to the east of Yellowstone National Park. We were not disappointed. Panayoti Kelaidis had recommended the trip on
This is post is the last of a series of posts about a September 2016 trip to view the wildflowers and scenery of Western Australia. See post list or use links at the top or bottom of this post to
In September 2016, a visit to Stirling Range National Park revealed its rich biodiversity, featuring over 1,500 plant species, many unique to the area. The landscape, resembling Arizona’s with diverse flora like Kingia australis and Eucalyptus tetraptera, showcased the park’s ecological significance, culminating in scenic views from Central Lookout.
In September of 2016 while touring Southwest Australia, we set out for Fitzgerald River National Park ( 815,160 acres) a UNESCO Biosphere site. Unfortunately, the bridge across the mouth of the estuary had been severely damaged by a storm surge
In Sept of 2016 Scott Borden and i visited Southwestern Australia. We stayed a couple of nights in Esperance on the South Australia Sea. We explored the coastline and several national parks. The south coast has many large granite domes
Western Australia’s interior features distinctive orange-red soil, flat terrain, and extensive unpaved roads. The area is marked by nutrient-poor soils and unique flora. The journey includes a visit to Wave Rock, scenic stops, and the rabbit-proof fence, leading to the Ravensthorpe Wildflower Show, showcasing vast biodiversity through numerous native plant species.
At the end of September, 2016, after attending a Pacific Horticulture tour of Singapore and Bali gardens, I met up with Scott Borden for a tour of Western Australia…or as they might say in the land down under, a Strine
The author recounts a trip through South Africa, emphasizing the beauty of the Western Cape’s flora, including wildflowers and the Cape of Good Hope’s scenery. Highlights include a road trip along the Garden Route, exploration of indigenous plants, a wildlife preserve, and visits to botanical gardens and vineyards, culminating in a return home.
The biggest publicly accessible landscape in Florida is also the largest subtropical wilderness in the US: Everglades National Park. At 2400 square miles it still only protects about 1/5 of the original Everglades. The Everglades are a natural freshwater drainage
