Lens-Artists Challenge #311 – What’s in a Garden?
When I read Ann-Christine’s Lens-Artists challenge for this week, What’s In a Garden? my mind went all over the place. I visit many gardens in the Austin area and other places I travel to because of my passion for wildflowers and macro photography. My goal was to feature only one location. Ann-Christine’s post helped me narrow my choices with this sentence: “There are so many ways to look at a garden, so, my idea is to see what You have found, what You see – at home or anywhere in the world.” So here is my garden for this week.
With my passion for music and photography, I immediately remembered the day I spent at Rio de Janeiro’s Botanical Garden (or Jardim Botânico, in Portuguese). You might be wondering where music comes into play here. It’s straightforward. Unless you have been living in total isolation on a desert island, I’m sure you must have heard of Antônio Carlos Jobim, aka Tom Jobim. He’s the Bossa Nova master who wrote hundreds of songs, including “The Girl from Ipanema,” one of the most recorded songs ever. Ok, just in case you have never heard that song, you can check it out here (due to copyright issues, the link may not work in your corner of the world). Tom Jobim was one of the regular visitors at the Jardim. There, he found inspiration for many of his famous hits. Jobim often had nature themes in his music.
The Jardim Botânico is located in the south area of Rio de Janeiro. It was founded by King Dom John VI of Portugal in 1808. It is approximately 350 acres. It has over 7,000 species of tropical plants, including the famous Royal Palms, and more than 140 species of birds.
The famous Avenue of Royal Palms is a 2,460-ft (750-meter) line of 134 palm trees, all descended from a single tree known as the Palma Mater. (Wikipedia). The Jardim is not only a scientific facility. It is widely used and appreciated by locals and tourists. The Jardim was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a biosphere reserve in 1992.
Here are a few images I captured on that day back in 2005. I’ll share photos of some flora and fauna in the Jardim Botânico. You are welcome to play your favorite Bossa Nova music to go along with these images.
Fauna
Flora
In closing, as I was turning the corner in one section of the Jardim, I saw the statue of Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado Mountain. Needless to say, I heard Jobim’s “Corcovado” music in my ears. Here’s a live performance of Tom Jobim with Gal Costa in Los Angeles in 1987 if you want to hear that song.
Last week, Patti got us thinking in Zigzag fashion. I had a great time with that challenge. From the beautiful and varied responses I saw, it’s fair to say you enjoyed the challenge, too. If you missed it and want to add your take, it’s never too late. All these challenges are open at all times.
I suggest you check out Ann-Christine’s challenge for this week. She provides lots of ideas you can use to submit your response to What’s in a Garden? Don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag when responding to it so we can easily find it in the Reader.
Sofia will present a new challenge on Saturday at noon EDT in the USA. Stay tuned. Please see this page to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.
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Anne Sandler
You’ve presented such beautiful images and history for us today Egidio. Thank you!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much, Anne. That is one very special garden for me.
bushboy
A wonderful botanical garden Egidio
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Brian.
restlessjo
What a lovely, effortless piece of music, Egidio, and a stunning garden. The palms are majestic.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Jo.
Tra Italia e Finlandia
Conosco la musica di Jobim, almeno in parte, anche perché la cantante Italiana Ornella Vanoni ha interpretato parecchia Bossa Nova.
Fantastica la farfalla nelle tue foto!
Egidio Leitao
Grazie mille. Ornella Vanoni ha cantato anche con altri artisti brasiliani, come Vinícius de Moraes e Toquinho. Anche a me piace.
margaret21
I can see why this garden, with its appealing back-story is the one you’ve chosen to show us today. Lovely photos!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much, Margaret.
Vicki
Beautful flowers, but it was the butterfly that caught my attention. What a beauty.
I missed the email notification of Ann-Christine’s new post and today, I find I can’t comment on her new challenge post either. I only found it through another blogger’s link. WordPress beats me. I’ll try again tomorrow.
Egidio Leitao
Vicki, I agree with you. The butterfly was a stunner. Thanks for the comments.
WordPress is very temperamental. Sometimes it works and sometimes not. I hope it’s back to normal when you try it again.
Tina Schell
A marvelous post Egidio, featuring a place I will most probably never see. So thank you for featuring it, it look spectacular!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the feedback, Tina. It was a great visit for me, too.
tobyo
What lovely images!! Oh my, sooooooo many fabulous photos!
Egidio Leitao
Toby, many thanks for your positive feedback.
Toonsarah
What a fabulous garden! I love the avenue of palms and the water lilies in particular, also that super view of Christ the Redeemer. The Girl from Ipanema is famous of course (we visited the bar in Ipanema where Jobin is said to have written it) but I confess I don’t know much about his other work.
Egidio Leitao
Sarah, that is such a neat story you shared. Thanks for doing so and for your feedback to the post, too.
Tranature - quiet moments in nature
Beautiful images Egidio and what a stunning garden! I can imagine it would inspire many song writers and many other artists too ✍
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much for your kind words.
Prior...
what a wonderful garden and to think it started in 1808 – I can only imagine the many folks that were inspired here – and the many songs it helped cultivate
enjoyed this post
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for writing. I appreciated your comments very much.
Prior...
;0)
Kaayee Puzzles
I love how you highlighted the garden’s serene beauty and vibrant atmosphere.
Egidio Leitao
I am happy you liked that. Thank you.
Leya
Thank you for posting on this beautiful garden – that I will never see with my own eyes. I can easily see why you have chosen it…I also see that my favourite orchid is there – thank you! The cattleyas always steal the show. But, I also was surprised to hear “The Girl from Ipanema”! I know that song well, but never heard its title or who wrote it. I am very pleased, Egidio, to have learned this too. A wonderful post from start to finish! Botanical gardens are one of the places I always visit when I arrive in a new city.
Egidio Leitao
Ann-Christine, fate would have it that your favorite orchid was included in my post. I’m glad the post resonated with you. Thank you for a wonderful challenge and your feedback here.
Leanne Cole
That avenue of Royal Palms is something else. So many different and exotic plants. Beautiful post Egidio.
Egidio Leitao
Many thanks, Leanne.
photobyjohnbo
On our only trip to Rio, we were concentrating on all of the places where tourists know and visit. I can see we missed a place that is just as worthy as any of the other attractions.
I love your edit on that Avenue of Royal Palms.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, John. There is always so much to see everywhere we go. One cannot see it all, and that’s a sad realization for me when we travel.
Teresa
That garden is just magical, Egidio.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Teresa. I also felt that way as I walked around that garden.
PR
Amazing scenes, Egidio!
Egidio Leitao
So glad you liked them, PR. Thank you.
Kaayee Puzzles
Thank you for sharing this beautiful glimpse into such a unique spot!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you for your kind feedback.
Lindy Le Coq
Oh, my Egídio! Jobim – my first exposure to his sensual sound was the Album “Wave” from 1967. A few years ago, I was part of a small Jazz Trio and sang Corcovado, and other Bossa Nova songs, a bright spot in my life experience. And, your Macro’s are stunning!
Egidio Leitao
What a small world! You sang Jobim. That is great. Thanks for the feedback.
Albatz Travel Adventures
Wow, what a gorgeous garden! I see I will have to get to Brazil. The creatures and flowers are wonderful, and, although I have seen those large cupped lily pads I have never seen one in flower – such a beauty…
Egidio Leitao
Elizabeth, I do hope you go to Brazil and have fun. Thanks for the feedback on the post and photos. Those lily pads can be even larger in the Amazon.
JohnRH
Beautiful Egidio. I love The Avenue of Royal Palms. Impressive!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, John. That Avenue of Royal Palms is the iconic image of that garden.
Sofia Alves
Splendid photos, Egídio. The Royal Palms are breathtaking 🙂
Egidio Leitao
Thanks so much, Sofia.
Philo
Amazing examples!
I love the Avenue of Royal Palms!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much, my friend.
pattimoed
Oh what a beautiful combination, Egidio. Music and gorgeous images. Strange, I thought I had already commented on your post, but I didn’t see my comment. I’m having a lot of trouble with WP, as you know. I love that image of the royal palms. Lovely and majestic.
Egidio Leitao
Patti, first off, thank you for writing. I also thought you had already commented and was surprised by this note, too. WP is messing things up for a lot of people.
Rupali
A well maintained garden. Lovely images.
Egidio Leitao
I appreciate your feedback. Thank you.