The American Indian Museum-Architecture

The National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) was established in 1989 and opened to the public in 2004. The architecture of the NMAI is designed to reflect the traditions and culture of Native American people. The building was designed by architect Douglas Cardinal, a member of the Blackfoot Nation. Cardinal's design is meant to evoke the natural landscapes of North America, particularly the mesas and canyons of the Southwest. The building is made of a combination of Kasota limestone, glass, and steel, with a curvilinear form that suggests the flow of water and wind.

Here are some photos of showing the unique architecture style of both exterior and interior. Enjoy!

(Noticed the colors on my hair? it was created by a ray of light coming from the ceiling)

Exterior

Interior

Magnolias in Enid A. Haupt Garden (Smithsonian Gardens)

 The stunning Magnolias in Enid A. Haupt Garden only bloom for a short period in March. Fortunately, despite two days of unusual winds, the flowers were still in full bloom when we visited. The magnolias lend an impressive presence to the Smithsonian Gardens, and we were thoroughly enchanted by their beauty and the lovely spring day.

 Here are some of the photos taken from our visit.  Enjoy!

Moorten Botanical Garden

The Moorten Botanical Garden is a beautiful and unique garden located in Palm Springs, California. It was established in 1938 by Patricia and Chester Moorten, who were renowned horticulturists and collectors of rare desert plants and features a diverse collection of over 3,000 desert plant species, including cacti, succulents, and other plants native to the deserts of North America and other parts of the world. 

One of the highlights of the Moorten Botanical Garden is its "Cactarium," a greenhouse filled with rare and exotic cactus species from around the world. The garden also features a butterfly garden, a meditation garden, and a gift shop where visitors can purchase souvenirs and plants.

The Moorten Botanical Garden is open to the public year-round, and admission fees are reasonable. It's a great destination for nature lovers, hikers, and anyone interested in learning more about the unique and fascinating desert plants that thrive in the Palm Springs area.  Here are some photos I took during my visit. 

The Palm Trees in Palm Desert

Located in the Sonoran Desert of Southern California, United States, Palm Desert is a city as its name suggests, the city is known for its abundance of palm trees, which are an iconic feature of the desert landscape.

The palm trees in Palm Desert are primarily of the Washingtonia genus, which includes the California Fan Palm and Mexican Fan Palm species. These tall and slender trees can grow up to 100 feet tall, with a crown of large, fan-shaped fronds at the top. The trees are typically characterized by their smooth, gray trunks and their ability to thrive in hot, arid climates.

Palm trees are a ubiquitous sight throughout the city, here are some photos of them that I took during my visit. Let me know how many different types of palm trees you identify because there are many different types of palm trees I saw and photographed.

Here are some of the names of different types of palm trees:

California Fan Palm (Washingtonia filifera); Mexican Fan Palm (Washingtonia robusta); Canary Island Date Palm (Phoenix canariensis); Mediterranean Fan Palm (Chamaerops humilis); Bismarck Palm (Bismarckia nobilis) and Pindo Palm (Butia capitata).