Local photographer John Metzler regularly visits Matthaei-Nichols and many of the surrounding parks and trails, and he always shares his images with us. John has an instinctive eye for animals and birds as well as the patterns of nature and its seasons. Recently he visited Matthaei Botanical Gardens and took these photos of winter patterns and birds, including our resident eastern bluebird and sandhill cranes, which have begun to return to Matthaei and Willow Pond as the winter eases up. Check out John’s photos of Matthaei below, or visit John’s photo gallery here.
A group of Canada geese fly in the classic V formation above Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Photo by John Metzler.
An eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis) rests for a moment on a branch at Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Photo by John Metzler.
Patterns and reflections of snow and water at Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Photo by John Metzler.
Patterns and reflections of snow and water at Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Photo by John Metzler.
Patterns and reflections of snow and water at Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Photo by John Metzler.
Patterns and reflections of snow and water at Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Photo by John Metzler.
A deer resting near a trail at Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Photo by John Metzler.
The sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) have returned to Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Photo by John Metzler.
The sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) have returned to Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Photo by John Metzler.
Seed pods of the native wild clematis (Clematis virginiana) at Matthaei. Photo by John Metzler.
