Treed Paths at VanDusen Botanical Garden, Vancouver

Vancouver's VanDusen Botanical Garden draws garden enthusiasts from around the city, province and beyond. I visited this wonderful garden recently, partly because brother Mark and Amy were visiting, and partly because Yves asked whether I might have any photos of peaceful pathways, possibly something including a bit of light shining on the path ahead. This suggestion gave me a useful theme for the early afternoon. The sunlight on this hazy June day was quite bright, so taking pictures in partial shade was a good idea.

This is the most complicated pathway, one eventually crossing some water. If you click on the picture to enlarge it, you can hopefully see the turtles sunning themselves on one of the rocks.

My second pathway is more typical of the garden, having crushed stone and borders of plants with a canopy of trees. For most visitors, this path simply takes you from one part of the garden to another, but I like the path itself.

I was intrigued by the way this path turns mysteriously, seeming to continue endlessly.

Within the park (or garden) is a small quiet self-contained section which is surrounded by trees. This is what the entryway looks like after entering it.

Walking, walking, looking, walking, stopping to admire flowers before walking some more . . . a bench can be a welcome sight. This bench invites me to bring a book the next time, pause, listen to the birds, and enjoy life.

I like the darkness of this covered path, with the promise of light ahead. To me, this is a metaphor for life.