We went to Allerton Park in Monticello, Illinois, today. (Plenty of info at the link.) Although the mosquitos and the prickly little orange beetles were nasty, the park was beautiful. Here are a few of my shots.
Allerton mansion
Koi pond
Dying Centaur
Musician
Espaliered trees in the formal gardens. I think they're pear.
Sphinx, one of two, just outside the mansion
Woodland path, mosquito heaven
One of a pair of statues outside the walled garden
Uber-tiny toad, about a half inch long. Very well camouflaged, but Warren spotted him.
Why in the world would you call lady bugs "nasty"? Not only do they eat garden pests, but they're good luck if they land on you!
Posted by: BillyDinPVD | October 05, 2008 at 07:37 PM
Those invasive orange things aren't proper ladybugs. These are proper NATIVE ladybugs. The orange ones pinch. Hard.
Posted by: gail | October 05, 2008 at 07:55 PM
I haven't seen a single (adorable, harmless, bright red) native ladybug since the 1990's when the orange buggers were introduced.
Posted by: gail | October 05, 2008 at 08:00 PM
Me neither. The red ones, that is. The orange ones are meanass.
I love Allerton. Hope to show it to Scott one day.
Posted by: Julie | October 05, 2008 at 11:32 PM
Looks like fun Gail. Pics are great!
Posted by: MC | October 06, 2008 at 01:50 AM
Who was Allerton?
Posted by: CraigC | October 06, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Maybe we don't have the orange ones in Rhode Island or Texas - I don't recall ever having met a pinching ladybug. I'll have to start paying closer attention...
Posted by: BillyDinPVD | October 06, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Billy, just hope they don't infest your area. Even little kids hate ladybugs now. They don't even remember what the red ones were like.
Posted by: gail | October 06, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Craig, he was a very rich guy who was interested in both nature and art. If you follow the link, it tells a bit about him. He left his gorgeous estate to the University of Illinois.
Posted by: gail | October 06, 2008 at 11:15 AM