The most beautiful garden in America lies practically in my back yard. Today I have it almost to myself and I meander, like a sleepy summer stream, along its paths and bridges. All around me are the scents of nature, the bright blooms of spring and the sounds of the over 5000 animals that inhabit the St. Louis Zoo.

It rained all morning today, but even so I spent most of my time outside in the Bird Garden. The solitude I enjoyed there was refreshing! I particularly enjoyed the view from the open pavilion overlooking the cranes. A stream rushes through the garden, under a sinuous board walk and out near the Cypress Swamp in the 1904 Flight cage. It is the sort of place where it’s easy to forget what time it is! Remember, admission to the St. Louis Zoo is free, so if you haven’t been hanging with the animals, you really have no excuse!

By the way, I took my cameras with me.