25. Iron (the metal) or steel - 52 in 2021 Photo Challenge
A little history behind the Praying Mantis:
Brommel was excited about having his artwork on display in Altoona when he was approached by the Master Gardeners in 2010 to build a praying mantis.
“I was asked if I would be offended if they wanted a sculpture that had a purpose beyond art,” Brommel said. “I said it depends on what its purpose is.”
The gardeners explained that the park had two purposes.
First, to serve as a contemplative garden; a little bit of paradise so people could become centered.
Second, to teach people who have had a physical disability how to garden.
So the gardeners and Brommel came up with the praying mantis sculpture, which worked out well for Brommel, who had a longtime fascination with the insect.
“I was intrigued by them as a child because I could never find a live one,” Brommel said. “I just saw pictures in books.”
In order to understand praying mantises, Brommel ordered an egg case with 150 babies in it. He put them in his yard and observed them for a summer.
“The praying mantis is the T-Rex of the insect world,” Brommel learned. “Even eating makes them hungry.”
He said they eat flies and mosquitoes and everything except bees.
“The gardeners told me they won’t eat bees because the praying mantis doesn’t like food that fights back,” Brommel explained. Source: Des Moines Register Newspaper, Jan. 1, 2015
Tags: Praying Mantist metal sculpture John Brommel Master Gardeners Enabling Gardens Altoona Iowa 52 in 2021 rust iron
100/100 This garden is in Altoona, Iowa. I love to take the camera to the gardens a few times during the year and take pictures. I have done this in the spring, summer, and fall. Now, I haven't ever done this in the winter. I believe I must commit to that this winter when there is snow in the garden!
The Enabling Garden in Altoona started in 2002 as a collaborative effort between Polk County Master Gardeners and the City of Altoona. The master gardeners say that their mission is two-fold for the gardens, as quoted in the Des Moines Register Newspaper, "First, to serve as a contemplative garden; a little bit of paradise so people could become centered.
Second, to teach people who have had a physical disability how to garden."
It is a gorgeous place to visit.
Tags: Master Gardeners of Polk County 100 flowers in 2021 flowers White Cosmos Mexican Aster
This garden is in Altoona, Iowa. I love to take the camera to the gardens a few times during the year and take pictures. I have done this in the spring, summer, and fall. Now, I haven't ever done this in the winter. I believe I must commit to that this winter when there is snow in the garden!
The Enabling Garden in Altoona started in 2002 as a collaborative effort between Polk County Master Gardeners and the City of Altoona. The master gardeners say that their mission is two-fold for the gardens, as quoted in the Des Moines Register Newspaper, "First, to serve as a contemplative garden; a little bit of paradise so people could become centered.
Second, to teach people who have had a physical disability how to garden."
It is a gorgeous place to visit.
Tags: Master Gardeners of Polk County
This garden is in Altoona, Iowa. I love to take the camera to the gardens a few times during the year and take pictures. I have done this in the spring, summer, and fall. Now, I haven't ever done this in the winter. I believe I must commit to that this winter when there is snow in the garden!
The Enabling Garden in Altoona started in 2002 as a collaborative effort between Polk County Master Gardeners and the City of Altoona. The master gardeners say that their mission is two-fold for the gardens, as quoted in the Des Moines Register Newspaper, "First, to serve as a contemplative garden; a little bit of paradise so people could become centered.
Second, to teach people who have had a physical disability how to garden."
It is a gorgeous place to visit.
Tags: Master Gardeners of Polk County
This garden is in Altoona, Iowa. I love to take the camera to the gardens a few times during the year and take pictures. I have done this in the spring, summer, and fall. Now, I haven't ever done this in the winter. I believe I must commit to that this winter when there is snow in the garden!
The Enabling Garden in Altoona started in 2002 as a collaborative effort between Polk County Master Gardeners and the City of Altoona. The master gardeners say that their mission is two-fold for the gardens, as quoted in the Des Moines Register Newspaper, "First, to serve as a contemplative garden; a little bit of paradise so people could become centered.
Second, to teach people who have had a physical disability how to garden."
It is a gorgeous place to visit.
Tags: Master Gardeners of Polk County