Make like the birds and bees
May is upon us, and the birds and bees are making whoopee in the sun. This weekend, soak up some flower power on a two-day date that celebrates our connection to plants and animals.
Start Saturday with a trip to the annual wildflower plant sale at the South Shore Natural Science Center. Learn which flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds and purchase hard-to-find native and indigenous plants. Garden walks at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., trail walk at 11 a.m. Free. 9 a.m.-noon, 48 Jacobs Lane, Norwell, 781-659-2559. ssnsc.org
Spend the afternoon in Boston finding floral and feathered inspiration at the "The Brilliance of Bird-and-Flower Paintings" exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts. This show from the museum's collection showcases the rich symbolism of birds and flowers in Asian art. Sat-Sun 10 a.m.- 4:45 p.m. (show is up through June 22). $17. 465 Huntington Ave. 617-267-9300. mfa.org
On Sunday, plant the previous day's purchases (dirt under the fingernails is sexy, we hear), and then record it for posterity. You can pick up pointers about photographing wildflowers and plants during an afternoon seminar at Garden in the Woods in Framingham. Instructor Joan Weber will show you how to get flowery photos that are almost as good as the real thing; bring a camera, batteries, memory cards, and manuals. Now is also a great time to experience the garden's profusion of flowers, some rare and endangered. Register for the class in advance by phone. 1:30-5:30 p.m. $52. 180 Hemenway Road, Framingham. 508-877-7630. ext 3303. newfs.org
After dinner - Garden of Eden in the South End, perhaps? (Open until 11 p.m. 571 Tremont St., 617-247-8377. lionettesmarket.com) - catch the orchestral indie rock of Plants and Animals at T.T. the Bear's Place. About 10:30 p.m. $10. 10 Brookline St., Central Square, Cambridge, 617-492-2327. ttthebears.com 