A Visit to the Japanese Garden, Auburn

First of all, Happy Mother's Day! One of our parishioners (a mom) mentioned the Japanese Garden in Auburn. I had not heard of it! And as it was just a 40 minute drive away, off I went!

Thankfully, the weather has been just lovely now. Lots of sunshine with the highs in th low 70's and the lows in the upper 50's. Simply perfect. And perfect for walking around a garden and taking pictures. Here's the entrance with me (1). Close to this entrance is a "remembrance walk" which was basically a wide path flanked by tall trees (2). I took a couple Japanese art courses in college and was not impressed with the lack of care for the rock gardens such as this one (3). Now we didn't study gardens too much but I know they are sort of like landscape paintings where the pebbles represent water and I believe there be some rake lines around the large rocks? I don't really know for certain, but most of the rock gardens, suhc as this one, looked like they needed some TLC.

Another selfie with another Asian arch on the grounds (4). This Aussie plant is commonly called a "fried egg bush" because of its flowers (5-6). These other flowers were tiny yet many covered large hedges in the scented garden; they smelled like jasmine (7). Unfortunately, we were visiting in the Fall (they say "Autumn" and laugh when I call it "Fall") and not many flowering plants were blooming. Not even the roses in the rose garden. Here's one of the few rose still looking fresh that I could find there (8). We came across this mosaic bench in the midst of a tiny maze (9). I liked the energy in the work.

This is a peek under an archway looking toward the main section of the Japanese Garden (10). Andrew, a Lebanese parishioner, had met me at the garden (11). Here's some shots by a "reflection pool" (12-15). Australia doesn't really have any native plants that lose their leaves. I've been told if a tree's leaves change colors, it's a sign that it was imported, like this maple tree (14). Alongside one of the lakes, we found some massive geese (16-19). (They looked like they could lay golden eggs!) Here they are making all kinds of noise when a tourist got too close taking pictures, forcing them to get up and scoot away from their rest (19). (I promise it was not me—I'd be too worried about getting "goosed!")

There's one spot in the park where you can climb up some steps and get a nice overview of the gardens (20-21). I find this tree (I don't know its name) fasicnating; it looks like a weeping willow but is an evergreen (22). Thankfully, we did not encounter the monster that made this huge web! (23)

At the centerpiece of the Japanese Garden is a huge lake with tiny islands ithat are like bird sanctuaries (24-25). Here are some ducks enjoying the wonderful Autumn reflections (26-28). From a tiny Japanese cottage, you can get nice pictures of the ibises that were taking baths and stretching their wings in the warm sun (29-33). Nearby, some turtles were sunbathing (34-35). Here is a water fall, and another Japanese archway (36-37).

Outside the Japanese section of the park, they also had a small zoo of local wildlife: wallabies (38); a peacock (39) and a couple of old emus (40). This is a final view of the main section of the gardens on the way out (40). Finally, as we were departing, a bride showed up in this old Jaguar for some pictures (41).

Next week I'm visiting Miranda and seeing some old friends from the Basilica of St. Josaphat in Milwaukee; ahe and her family is Aussie. Then I hope to hit Vivid Sydney for the third straight year in a row. And then, I am on holiday for a month in the States; I won't be blogging then. (I thought I should forewarn you!)