As you can see from the slideshow, walkways and waterways abound throughout Norfolk Botanical Garden.
A couple elevated overlooks afford a birds-eye view of the surroundings.
We saw the memorial created in remembrance of the female eagle who made her home in the garden for nine years. In 2011, she was struck by an airplane from the neighboring airport, Norfolk International. Her young eaglets were taken to a wildlife rehabilitation area in the state. The male still resides at the garden, but the government has required the nest to be removed.
As we followed a meandering path along the water, we drew the attention of a few turtles. I guess they overheard us talking about food as we made our way to the little cafe on the grounds.
After lunch, we took the boat tour. I’ll share that with you tomorrow.
Oooh, a boat tour sounds fun!
It’s sad that the garden is losing the eagle’s nest, but I guess they want to prevent another accident. As I look through the pictures of your botanical garden, I can’t help but notice all that green. Very nice.
Yay, glad you’re on board, Janna! The eagles have been a big draw for the garden, especially with the webcam. It is sad, though. That’s been the male’s home for YEARS. I love the greenery, everything looks so alive.
How horrible about the female eagle. I hope the little ones, who are probably big now, are prospering now in a safer place where they can have nests. Love the photos.
Thanks, TBM. People from around the world watched them on the webcam. They were so popular, the rehabilitation center added a webcam so we could watch them grow as they prepared to be released. The public, including media, was invited to the release ceremony, in a safe area near a refuge. One of the eaglets wasn’t ready, so she was returned to the facility and released at a later date.
If the eagle’s nest is removed, where do they think he will go? This is his home. How sad.
Blessings ~ Maxi
He’s still defending his territory, Maxi. There was a major uproar over this, but I realize we can’t put planes full of people at risk. It is sad. Wonder what they’ll do about all the Canada geese…there are a lot more of them.
Following the web cam on the eaglets and eagle has been an interesting feature of the botanical garden. I wonder if they will be successful in the dispersion. If he has lived there this long, one wonders if he may just find his way back. Such an interesting story.
Time will tell, Georgette. There are a lot of other large birds around the water, what about them?
Like the other commenters, I am saddened by the loss of the eagle’s nest. Obviously, this means that one of the main draws to the gardens will be lost. Thank you for sharing this.
Thanks, Renee. I hope they reconsider.
Beautiful beautiful pictures Patti of a lovely place! The memorial for the Eagle is stunning. How sad what happened. I clicked your link about the removal of the nest. I want to google about this Eagle pair. I will be looking forward to your boat tour. What was for lunch…
Thanks, Pix. I wish I’d gotten a better picture of the memorial. It is life size! Those two eagles and their babies were loved all around the world.
Lunch was a wrap and a salad.
More lovely photos of the Garden. Makes me wonder what the Garden of Eden was like!!!!!
Thanks, Merle. Can you imagine? Eden must have been fabulous. Hope to see you at writers group tonight!
beautiful, lush greenery. very sad about the eagle and her lonely mate.
It is a sad story that keeps going, Theresa.
What a beautiful place. Your slide show is excellent. I think eagles mate for life. Is that true? Poor widower eagle flying high but alone. Maybe he will find another mate. Blessings to you, Patti…
It is a lovely place, and we had the perfect day to be outside. Thanks, Carol Ann. They do mate for life. He had some lady friends this past year, but no mate yet.
Part 2 was as gorgeous as Part 1. I look forward to the boat tour.
Thanks, Lenore!
Sorry to hear of the eagle’s plight- but what a wonderful place!
It is nice there, Tracy.
That’s a really sad story about the eagle and the airplane. I guess it’s fairly common for planes to hit birds, or suck them into their jet engines. It reminds me of a post I wrote a long time ago about nature and technology. It’s a dilemma. We need both.
We do need both, Christine. It seem Nature always comes up on the losing end, though.
Lovely to see the turtles with their heads emerging from the water
I was surprised to see so many turtles, Nicola. They must have thought we were bringing lunch!