… on a nearby subject and then repositioning the composition on lights that are farther away. In addition to boken backgrounds, you can add glowing orbs to the foreground by shooting through … than your point of focus. You might even bring your own small battery-operated strand to hold in front of your lens. No tripod; no worries Tripods are not allowed at Lightscape. Instead, … subject and conceal any color noise. If you’re new to photo editing, try a class at the Garden in Photoshop or Lightroom. There is no replacement for a solid tripod, but these easy hacks will …
Type: Blog
… atreus are clearly visible. Photo by Stuart Seeger via Wikimedia Commons This blue beauty is in the genus known as the owl butterflies ( Caligo ). They’re called owl butterflies because the … Caligo translates to “darkness,” which corresponds to the fact that they prefer to fly in the early morning before their predators are out and about. They are native to the tropical … South America, and are among the world’s largest butterflies! There are a few other species in the owl genus at Butterflies & Blooms, including the giant owl and the forest owl. However, …
Type: Blog
… or lavender. Make your own wrapping paper: Wrapping paper that is glossy or shiny, or has foil in it usually cannot be recycled. Try decorating sheets of butcher paper for something more sustainable, or wrap presents in the comics section of the newspaper. Try out some of these ideas and get inspiration for more on December 15 at our free Gifts from the Garden drop-in. It is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Burnstein Hall of the Regenstein Center. …
Type: Blog
… Research in the CaraDonna Lab investigates the interplay among species interactions, population dynamics, … biodiversity loss, pollinator declines, urbanization). We are also particularly interested in temporal ecology and the flexibility of species interactions. We address research questions … and we love working as a collaborative team. These days, most of our research takes place in the Colorado Rocky Mountains at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory and also within The …
Type: Staff bio
… of the largest, most diverse, and most beloved of all plant families. An edible orchid in an ice sphere adorns a cocktail from chef Daniel Boulud, marthastewart.com Why, yes, that's an orchid in my cocktail Noted French chef Daniel Boulud paired with a mixologist to come up with a white … Harris Have your orchid and eat it, too London-based sugar artist Robert Haynes specializes in creating, and teaching others how to make, “botanically correct sugar flowers.” Orchid mantis …
Type: Blog
… very similar to that of a flowering dogwood. The orange dead leaf butterfly is at home in broadleaf forests of India, where it blends in with dead foliage during the dry season, going unnoticed by all but the sharpest predators. … Here at Butterflies & Blooms , this butterfly seemed to seek out dead, brown leaves in the tree canopies and use them as a place to blend in. I always got a kick out of showing …
Type: Blog
… like to share one of my favorites: the hackberry, Celtis occidentalis . Hackberry may not be in the top ten trees you think of, but maybe it should be. Take a look at the interesting texture … side of Parking Lot 4. Scroll back up—do you recognize the large picture above? This was taken in McDonald Woods, along the trail near Parking Lot 4. The large tree to the left of the bridge … this tree is that the fruits—hackberries—feed birds, squirrels, and other woodland creatures. In the summer, caterpillars of mourning cloak, question mark, and hackberry emperor …
Type: Blog
… We’ve officially reached planting season, and it is now safe to put in warm-season flowering annuals, vines, herbs, and vegetables. Horticulturists at the Chicago … such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and squash. Happy planting! Summer plantings await in the production greenhouses. Get the best performance from your plants with these tips from the … planted annuals for two weeks. Continue to plant new perennials, ornamental grasses, and roses in containers. If plant roots are root-bound (encircling the pot), make four cuts into the bottom …
Type: Blog
… few horticulturists for their gardening resolutions—whether at the Chicago Botanic Garden, or in their own backyard. Feel free to snag one of their ideas for yourself. Heather Sherwood, … Michael Jesiolowski, senior horticulturist, entrance gardens I want to include more bulbs in my perennial plantings. Bulbs might not be the first thing that comes to mind when going plant shopping, but they can be used to complement perennials in bloom or massed on their own to make a bold statement. How about an early summer combo of …
Type: Blog
… Even in the quiet months, the Garden’s natural areas are bursting with birdlife. Our restoration … lively red-headed woodpecker community commuting between Turnbull Woods and McDonald Woods. In early spring, the nature trail also becomes a prime perch for watching the warbler migration … from the North Branch Trail as you approach Dundee Road—where a pair first built their nest in 2024. In 2025, they successfully fledged a young osprey: tagged and weighed on-site by Cook …
Type: Blog
