Spring at Callaway Gardens

Posted in Birds, Butterflies, Flowers, Georgia, Nature, Tourist Attractions, WildflowersTagged , , , , ,

Our latest wandering took us on a short trip that was full of excitement. Our first stop was F. D. Roosevelt State Park, Georgia’s largest state park, in Pine Mountain. It was the perfect place for us to use as home base for exploring both Callaway Gardens and F.D.R.’s Little White House in Warm Springs.

After driving in the rain on the winding road through the park we arrived at the Visitor’s Center to check in just after a tornado warning had been lifted. Everything was fine in the campground and we set up camp just before another rain shower began.

“Connecting man and nature in a way that benefits both.” – Callaway Gardens Mission

With the sun shining the next morning we drove about 15 minutes from our campsite to Callaway Gardens.  Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Callaway Gardens opened in 1952. Today, there are many different gardens to explore, a lodge, golf course, swimming beach, and even a zip-line adventure.

Our tour of the gardens began with a stop at the Pioneer Log Cabin. From there we strolled along the Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Trail with many Georgia native plants.  The Flowering Dogwoods and many other wildflowers displayed their brilliant spring colors.

Pioneer Log Cabin at Callaway Gardens
Pioneer Log Cabin at Callaway Gardens
Flowering Dogwood on Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Trail
Flowering Dogwood on Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Trail
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Trail at Callaway Gardens
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Trail at Callaway Gardens
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Trail at Callaway Gardens
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Trail at Callaway Gardens
Azalea at Callaway Gardens
Azalea at Callaway Gardens
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Trail at Callaway Gardens
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Trail at Callaway Gardens

Next we walked on the trails to the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center for a look at some tropical butterflies. Butterflies of all sizes, shapes and colors fed on the colorful blossoms and sailed by our heads as they flew from flower to flower.

Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center at Callaway Gardens
Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center at Callaway Gardens
Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center at Callaway Gardens
Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center at Callaway Gardens
Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center at Callaway Gardens
Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center at Callaway Gardens

We learned about some of Georgia’s birds of prey at the Discovery Center. As our guide gave a very informative presentation, two different species of owl and a red tailed hawk flew over our heads during the program.

Juniper the Great Horned Owl at Birds of Prey program
Juniper the Great Horned Owl at Birds of Prey program
Barred Owl Birds of Prey demonstration at Callaway Gardens
Willow the Barred Owl Birds of Prey demonstration at Callaway Gardens
Red Tailed Hawk Callaway Gardens Birds of Prey Show
Red Tailed Hawk Callaway Gardens Birds of Prey Show

We must have just missed the Azaleas at their peak because most of the Azaleas on the Overlook Azalea trail had finished blooming. The Flowering Dogwoods and other trees added color to the landscape.

20170404Callaway-Gardens-Azalea-Trail
Callaway Gardens Azalea Trail
20170404Callaway-Gardens-Flowering-Dogwood
Flowering Dogwoods were in bloom at Callaway Gardens
Eastern Redbud Callaway Gardens
Eastern Redbud at Callaway Gardens
Callaway Gardens Overlook Azalea Trail
Callaway Gardens Overlook Azalea Trail

Our visit to Callaway Gardens included only a few of the many gardens there. It is a wonderful family destination and bicycles are a popular way to get around the park. There are several restaurants to choose from or you can have a picnic in one of the picnic areas.

17 thoughts on “Spring at Callaway Gardens”

  2. What lovely shots of butterflies, birds and blooms! The owls are such a special sighting. And to have one fly over during your program… incredible!

    Hoping you had a lovely Easter… 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Nancy, thank you! I really enjoyed seeing the owls and learning about them. I have searched many trees looking for them but have never had any luck in the wild. I hope you had a lovely Easter, too.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. We LOVED our day spent here in October 2014. I had to search my blog to figure out when we were here….sadly, I never wrote a blog post about it! We said we HAVE to return one spring. We came so close when we stayed in Cotton Hill Campground in Ft. Gaines. But our time was just so short to make a full day drive up there and back….and the Azaleas were blooming. I’m so sad we didn’t just suck it up and go after reading this. It is such a beautiful garden experience! Wonder if I can find those old pictures now….

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Before we were there last week it had been many years since we the last time we visited Callaway Gardens. We spent the day there and only saw a few of the gardens. Even though we missed the azaleas in full bloom there were still plenty of beautiful flowers and trees in full bloom. I would think it be really pretty in the fall.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Now, you have me green with envy. Wow, what a beautiful garden. Flowering dogwood, butterflies AND owls – some of my favorites. Thank you for sharing this beautiful destination, and glad you didn’t have to deal up close and personal with a tornado. Been there, done that, don’t wish on my friends. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  8. There’s nothing quite like Georgia in April. We never made it to Callaway or Warm Springs when we lived in Georgia, although I always wanted to. We’ll have to try to fit them in on one of our trips down your way.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Way back in the 70’s we used to drive to Callaway Gardens from Atlanta and ride our bikes all around there. With all the different gardens and plants there it is probably beautiful no matter what time of year you go.

      Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.