Ideas for places to visit in the Midwest
A lone lily in the reflecting pools around the Jewel Box in Forest Park. The Jewel Box is a display greenhouse in the park with flower gardens surrounding it. For more photos from the Jewel Box and Forest park visit: https://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Forest-Park/
Sunflowers in Columbia Bottoms in Northern St. Louis County. This is the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. After visiting the Sunflowers, go to view the merging of two of the worlds major rivers.
Note that currently this area is closed due to flooding.
Driving across this bridge is not for the fainthearted. The bridge is over 26,000 feet long and if going, it is best to go to the bridge website for a weather report as the deck will sway in high wind. Since the deck is 200 ft above water chances for high wind are pretty good.
There are a number of parks around the bridge for great photo opportunities. Spend a little time here and then head for Mackinac Island!
See more of Northern Michigan: https://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Up-North/
Coneflowers at Forest Park’s Jewel Box. This is an area around the Jewel Box’s reflecting pools and one of Forest Park’s very scenic areas.
I wanted to say something about this flower for this post but had little idea what it was. With the magic of Google, I looked up “daisy with big center” and presto, found it!
If you are not familiar with St. Louis’ Forest Park, here is a link to my photos of this very impressive park: https://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Forest-Park
The Grand Hall Allegorical Window in St. Louis Union Station. It features hand-made, hand cut Tiffany Glass positioned above the Station’s main entryway. These three women represent the main US train stations during the 1890’s, New York, St. Louis and San Francisco.
Another classic structure in the Mississippi. This and the building in the previous post are are intakes for the City of St. Louis water works. What is this? For more information see: https://fox2now.com/2015/02/13/rare-glimpse-inside-mississippi-river-water-intake-towers/
This is a view of the St. Louis skyline from the deck of the Chain of Rocks Bridge. In addition to the buildings, you can see the St. Louis Arch. The little French Chateau building in the foreground is actually the water intake for the St. Louis water supply and is actually quite large and is really two stories tall.
Next to this structure is another intake that looks like a small castle.
This bridge has the distinction of being one of the Route 66 bridges crossing the Mississippi into St. Louis. Built in 1927 it was replaced in 1967 and turned into a walking/ bike trail. From the bridge you get a pretty spectacular view of the river and of downtown St. Louis.
https://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Missouri-Botanical-Garden/i-Sj7STkh/A
Walking around the Missouri Botanical Garden I found this scene. This is a great place to explore its 80 acres and be sure to take a camera since every inch is a horticultural masterpiece!
https://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Missouri-Botanical-Garden/i-NqZFSqR/A
A scenic overlook at the Missouri Botanical Garden. This is one of the great attractions in the St. Louis area.
The Missouri Botanical Garden opened to the public in 1859 and began to grow in the European tradition of horticultural display combined with education and the search for new knowledge. Today, 158 years after opening, the Missouri Botanical Garden is a National Historic Landmark and a center for science and conservation, education and horticultural display.
The is a great place for photographers. There are endless opportunities for amazing photos. And the each season everything changes and it is time to go back!
Great Rivers Imaging 