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!

Week's Bay Bog Garden

Week's Bay Bog Garden is a hidden gem located in Foley, Alabama. This nature preserve boasts a unique ecosystem that is home to some of the rarest carnivorous plants in the world, including some beautiful pitcher plants. Talk about inspiration for some paintings!

On a recent visit to the preserve, Jon and I were amazed by the stunning beauty of these unique plants. Although the orchids had not yet bloomed, we were still able to appreciate the beautiful forest of ferns and the carnivorous plants that were blooming.

The pitcher plant is a rare sight in the wild, and it was fascinating to see how the plants had adapted to their environment and evolved to become such effective predators. The bright green and red hues of the plant’s leaves were striking. This specific plant, the white topped pitcher plant, is native to this mini ecosystem and is federally protected.

As we walked through the preserve, we were surrounded by lush greenery, vibrant flowering pitcher plants, and the peaceful sound of water as we ventured toward the river not the wood walking paths. The preserve is a nature lover's paradise, and we were grateful for the opportunity to explore and learn about this unique ecosystem.

We can't wait to visit again to see how the plants develop through the season, especially the orchids that we missed blooming during our visit. Really happy to see this conservation effort to protect the rare and endangered plants that call the preserve their home. It's inspiring to see the work being done to preserve and protect these unique ecosystems for future generations to enjoy.