Library Events
Detail of "California buckeye, Aesculus californica, with Echo Blue butterflies, Celastrina ladon echo. The buckeye is the larval food plant for the echo blue.
Art Exhibit
"Creatures Small –
Insects & Plants"
Art & Photography by Margo Bors
JULY - SEPTEMBER
"Like many artists who explore the natural world, I have tended to concentrate on flowers. About ten years ago, however, I was given a digital camera and discovered that plants and flowers are infinitely more interesting when you take into account the small creatures associated with them. Insects are like tiny living jewels who find the beautiful designs and colors of flowers irresistible, a ploy of nature to insure the pollination and survival of the plant which, of course, insures our own survival. Where do you find insects? A botanical garden is a very good place to start. One of my favorite insects is the butterfly, with its graceful flight and lovely colors. Many different kinds can be seen in the California Native Plant Garden where the larval food plant of most of our local butterflies are found.
"One of the best places to see insects is right in your own back yard. In my garden, which is only about 25 feet square, I have a number of native plants. Bees also love to roll around in the delicate white blossoms of the soap-plant lily. On a cool morning I find solitary bees curled up asleep in fronds of California polypody fern. My California live oak is home to many creatures, especially some fascinating orb-weaver spiders. All of the insect activity, of course, invites other wildlife, like birds, and adds to the pleasure of the garden.
Baby Blue-Eyes, Nemophila menziesii, with a honey bee, Apis mellifera.
"Throughout my career as an artist I have worked in many different techniques from watercolor to murals and photography. This exhibit features images in a variety of media with the unifying theme of plants and insects or creatures small."
The artist's reception will be held in the library on Thursday, July 10, 5–7 pm.
Visit the artist's website: http://www.margobors.com/
General Exhibit Information
Library hours: 10 am - 4 pm, seven days a week (closed on major holidays),
free of charge. Exhibitions of plant- and garden-related drawings, paintings,
photographs, and educational displays run for three-month periods. Twenty-five percent of all art sales benefit The Helen Crocker Russell Library of Horticulture.
Upcoming Exhibits
October-December
Vanishing Orchids, 19th Century Botanical Prints Collected by Jack Kramer
Story
Time & Family Walk
Looking for a fun, free and easy-to-coordinate activity? Join us in our cozy children’s book nook with comfy kid-sized cushions, a bevy of stuffed animals and lively readers.
Afterward, families can enjoy a special children's tour of the garden led by a docent. Be sure to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
This event is suitable for children ages 4-8. Held on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month at 10:30 am, Story Time lasts approximately 30 minutes. The tour leaves the Library at 11. The Library also has an excellent collection of books for children on plants, natural history, general science, and nature-related myths and stories.
2008 Schedule
New Books and Old Favorites
Including a Featured Book of the Month.
January 6th and 20th
February 3rd and 17th
March 2nd and 16th
April 6th and 20th
May 4th and 18th
June 1st and 15th
July 6th and 20th
August 3rd and 10th
September 7th and 21st
October 5th and 19th
November 2nd and 16th
December 7th and 21st
Find more events and activities for kids.
Library Orientations
Orientations can be arranged by appointment for interested groups.
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