Mobile Botanical Gardens

The Mobile Alabama Botanical Gardens is a lush, expansive garden located in Mobile, Alabama. Jon and I recently visited the garden.

As we walked through the gardens, we were surrounded by a diverse collection of flora, a small bog garden, a magnolia grove, a longleaf pine forest, a Japanese maple garden, and the most expansive collection of azaleas I have ever seen.

One of the highlights of our visit was the crimson bottle brush bush, which was full of hundreds of bees. It was amazing to see how so many different types of bees together.

We also enjoyed learning about the history of the garden, which dates back to the 1970s when the once-private garden was donated to the city of Mobile. Since then, the garden has grown into a beloved landmark and cultural attraction for locals and visitors alike.

During our visit, we were lucky enough to attend their weekend plant sale. It was an exciting opportunity for us to purchase some unique plants and take a little piece of the garden home with us. I finally found a plant that had been on my wish list for years - a "big leaf magnolia tree". I was thrilled to finally be able to add it to my own garden. I also picked up an interesting hosta plant for my mom, and some heirloom tomato plants for my dad's garden.

Overall, our visit to the Mobile Alabama Botanical Gardens was a delightful experience that we would highly recommend to anyone visiting the area. It's the perfect place to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Alabama and explore the incredible diversity of flora and fauna that the garden has to offer.

3D Printing Your Own Hanging Bird Feeders: A Fun and Easy DIY Project

If you love spending time in your backyard, you probably enjoy watching the birds that come to visit. But if you're tired of constantly refilling your bird feeders, or you're looking for a new project to try, why not 3D print your own hanging bird feeders? I decided to model and print one, I have the free file linked.

With a few simple tools and materials, you can create your own custom bird feeders that are both functional and stylish. Here's what you'll need to get started:

The free file: https://cults3d.com/:1154498

• A 3D printer: We used the Creality Ender 3 Pro, but any 3D printer should work.

• Filament: We used Polymaker PolyLite PLA, but any PLA filament should work.

• A 3D model: We've made our model available for free on Cults3D, or you can create your own using 3D modeling software.

• Zip ties and super glue: These will help you align the halves of the bird feeder and hold them in place while they set.

Once you have all your materials, it's time to start printing. We recommend using a .28 layer thickness, 2 walls and 15% infill for the best results. We also printed our bird feeders in place, with no supports needed. The offset circle design keeps the feeder from taking on rain, but we recommend drilling a hole in the bottom just in case.

Once your bird feeder is printed, it's time to assemble it. We added alignment holes to our design to make it easier to put the halves together. You can use zip ties and super glue to align the halves and cleanly clamp them in place while it sets. Trim the zip ties and leave them in place to ensure a strong hold.

Finally, hang your bird feeder in a spot where you can enjoy watching the birds come to feed. You can use any type of birdseed you like, but we recommend using a mix of sunflower seeds, millet, and cracked corn to attract a variety of bird species.

With your new 3D printed bird feeder, you'll be able to enjoy watching the birds in your backyard without having to constantly refill your feeder. And, best of all, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that you created it yourself using 3D printing technology. Happy birdwatching!

Afterglow by Christine Cannon at the Cochran Gallery

I recently had a solo exhibition of my paintings at the Cochran Gallery, in my hometown of LaGrange, Georgia. Growing up in LaGrange I was fortunate there were some resources for community engagement in the arts already in place. Wes and Missy Cochran have really brought a lot to the area with the Cochran Gallery. I appreciate the programming and work that the Cochrans bring through LaGrange. It is a great service they provide to the community.

I was really excited about the opportunity to show my most recent works. The space is large, bright, and open. I installed the show just after Christmas and it ran through the end of February.

The opening reception was a blast and I caught up with several friends and family I have not seen in a long time. The interactive component is alway so fun to experience with others. I was thrilled to see Hillside Montessori brought a group of students to see the exhibit. I have stolen and plagiarized some of their adorable images from their Facebook post below.

Thank you to the Cochrans and to everyone who came out.

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