Flowers and Gardens Everywhere

 

Trees are in spring bloom at Sonnenberg

Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion  State Historic Park is now open for the season and this year’s garden season promises to be outstanding.  Perhaps the most well-known gardens in the Finger Lakes, Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion shares the legacy of Frederick and Mary Clark Thompson and their beautiful summer home, “Sonnenberg” or sunny hill.  After Mr. Thompson’s death in 1899, Mary Clark Thompson traveled throughout Asia and Europe and returned home to create her exquisite gardens from ideas she gathered around the world.  There are nine formal gardens in all.  From the elegance of the Italian Garden, the solitude of the Japanese Garden or the mystique of the Moolight Garden you’ll experience the art, the beauty and unique architecture  of Mrs. Thompson’s vision.

Tulips in full bloom at Sonnenberg

Throughout the estate, the trees and spring flowers are in bloom now. Mid-June  brings the annual Rose Week event as more than 4,000 rose bushes will be in full bloom in the Rose Garden.

Tour the 40-room mansion, stroll at your own leisure or take a guided tour of the grounds and gardens at Sonnenberg.  Finger Lakes Wine Centeris also located on the grounds at Sonnenberg where you can enjoy wine tastings from more than 40 Finger Lakes wineries.  There’s a gift shop and small outdoor cafe too.  

The Rose Garden at Sonnenberg

Events are held throughout the garden season at Sonnenberg:  Mother’s Day Tea, Rose Week, Father’s Day car show, Friday night Moonlight Stroll Music series, Arts in the Garden and more. 

Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion State Historic Park is a Great Finger Lakes Find!

Bird Watching in the Finger Lakes!

The Baltimore Oriole

Spring in the Finger Lakes is a fun season of the year as we watch the earth come back to life with brightening skies, beautiful flowers in bloom, leaves and early spring buds on the trees. But it also means the  the migrating birds return.  I love to see the first colors in the trees (before the leaves actually come out). You’ll see the finches change from brown to a vibrant yellow, orange of the oriole, the blue birds are bright blue, the red of the cardinals, and perhaps most anticipated is the return of the hummingbirds as a sure sign that spring is here.

There are many natural parks and trails, bird watching can be done anywhere in the Finger Lakes, but here are a few great locations to view our feathered friends:

The Blue Bird is the official NYS bird.

In Victor, you’ll find two favorite bird watching places. The Maryfrances Bluebird Haven has a trail of approximately one mile which circles the property traveling through open fields and through woods allowing visitors to see bluebirds in their natural habit.  Also the Ganondagan Native American Historic Site  provides several nature trails where you will see not only the birds, but many varieties of wildlife, plants and historic memorabilia about the Native Americans who lived there.

Can you tell? Coopers Hawk or Sharp-Shinned Juvenile?

On Canandaigua Lake,  you’ll find Kershaw and  Lagoon Park located at the north end of the lake and Cumming Nature Center  at the south end of the lake.  A variety of Hawks as well as the Bald Eagle have been sighted many times on Canandaigua Lake.

 

The Rose-Breasted Grosbeak returned in mid-April

Upcoming bird watching events  in May include: All About Bluebirds at Cumming Nature Center; Eagles at Hemlock (annual watch for the returning Eagles) or Tails and Trails narrated walk at Ganondagan. Get your binoculars out and your cameras ready to go and enjoy the spring colors of the birds.