Every year I shot the Passion Flower but I think this shot from a slightly different angle is the best shot yet...very 3-D, showing all the intricate levels.
It has formed a living wall on one side of the small deck where I would like to put a small spa/hot tub.
Now that the neighborhood is changing, I am not so sure about doing that because of possible privacy issues. Pondering on it.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Lit From Within
This morning glory was just one of those glorious specimen, an example of why I love to plant morning glories. I don't plant them anymore as they have naturalized in my garden. It is my chore to make sure that they don't strangle out other plants and flowers.
I just had to remove one from my basil...it was twining it's way right round it.
I just had to remove one from my basil...it was twining it's way right round it.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Orange Zinnia
I must confess that I just bought three one gallon pots of Zinnias a week ago, and managed to get them planted before they bloomed this morning.
I have always thought of Zinnias as the quintessential summer flower...and this year they have appeared to me though I usually plant them each year, usually from seed. This year the time got away from me, and I was very lucky to find these, thanks to the Barber Family Farm booth at the Clearlake Friday Night Farmer's Market!
I have always thought of Zinnias as the quintessential summer flower...and this year they have appeared to me though I usually plant them each year, usually from seed. This year the time got away from me, and I was very lucky to find these, thanks to the Barber Family Farm booth at the Clearlake Friday Night Farmer's Market!
Chicoria Bloom
I have been wanting to get chicory established in my yard for a long time. One of my favorite dishes that my Genovese grandmother made was composed of chopped chicory leaves, potatoes, green onions and olive oil. Bitter, smooth, rich and delicious.
finally this morning, to celebrate the start of summer, I found that the plant I had let bolt had bloomed. I will let it go to seed among the poppies, calendula and arugula.
This was grown from a seed packet I brought back from Italy. I see lots of blue flower chicory along roadsides, but when it died out in my mother's yard, I had thought I had lost it for good. This is a different variety, but tartly delicious and I will make radichetto as I remember my Nonna calling it.
finally this morning, to celebrate the start of summer, I found that the plant I had let bolt had bloomed. I will let it go to seed among the poppies, calendula and arugula.
This was grown from a seed packet I brought back from Italy. I see lots of blue flower chicory along roadsides, but when it died out in my mother's yard, I had thought I had lost it for good. This is a different variety, but tartly delicious and I will make radichetto as I remember my Nonna calling it.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Earwig in the Matilija Poppy
The poppy blossom is starting to droop a bit, so I was taking a closer look and found this earwig, happy as could be.
This has been a fierce year for earwigs. Every bouquet of flowers I have brought in has been full of them, and the swiss chard, and salad mixes have also been host to these little devils.
This has been a fierce year for earwigs. Every bouquet of flowers I have brought in has been full of them, and the swiss chard, and salad mixes have also been host to these little devils.
Tomato Blossom
I have the most lush tomato plants, with many many huge blossoms, but no tomatoes. Here is what About.com says about blossom drop:lossom drop can be attributed to several causes, most often related to either temperature and / or stress.
* Temperature Too High or Too Low
* Lack of Pollination
* Nitrogen - Too Much or Too Little
* Humidity Too High or Low Humidity.
* Lack of water
* Stress from insect damage or disease
* Too Heavy Fruit Set
I am pretty sure that it is the abnormally cool and humid weather we have had for the month of June. And of course, that is out of my control. Warmer weather is forecast for later this week, and hopefully, the fruit will start to set. It is very frustrating sometimes to garden so close to the water.
* Temperature Too High or Too Low
* Lack of Pollination
* Nitrogen - Too Much or Too Little
* Humidity Too High or Low Humidity.
* Lack of water
* Stress from insect damage or disease
* Too Heavy Fruit Set
I am pretty sure that it is the abnormally cool and humid weather we have had for the month of June. And of course, that is out of my control. Warmer weather is forecast for later this week, and hopefully, the fruit will start to set. It is very frustrating sometimes to garden so close to the water.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Examining Mosquito Larva
This is a strange photo that was inspired when I leaned over to check out the larva and thought to photograph them...and got myself in sort of a negative effect.. In any case, I will have to pick up some Mosquito fish when I am in Lakeport on Wednesday and pop them into Koko's bath. Usually I can tip it up and over before it gets to this state, but it is wearing out, and the rim has cracked so I can't lift it to empty it. I will have to replace it this week.
It is a neat solution for a dog who overheats with that thick coat, and it is surrounded with lots of big potted plants so it has a rather tropical ambiance under the deck. Unfortunately, the Mosquitos love the same ambiance. Fish to the rescue.
It is a neat solution for a dog who overheats with that thick coat, and it is surrounded with lots of big potted plants so it has a rather tropical ambiance under the deck. Unfortunately, the Mosquitos love the same ambiance. Fish to the rescue.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Matilija Poppy
Last year, the Matilija poppy in my yard didn't bloom at all, it was overwhelmed by the grapes, oak and willow. I figured that it was in just too much shade and wasn't ever going to bloom in that spot. And as happens in a jungly backyard, I rather forgot about it. This year, it has triumphed over all the other densely growing plants and shot up to surprise me this morning with this beautiful blossom.
I think I will have to put consider putting some of these over on the land...they should do great! And as an extra bonus, they are a California native!
I think I will have to put consider putting some of these over on the land...they should do great! And as an extra bonus, they are a California native!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Blue-Green Algae on ClearLake
http://lakeconews.com/content/view/9068/764/
Here is the current update on the blue green algae which is now causing huge problems at the south end of ClearLake.
I think I will put off my kayak tour for a few days until conditions change and the water is tested.
Here is the current update on the blue green algae which is now causing huge problems at the south end of ClearLake.
I think I will put off my kayak tour for a few days until conditions change and the water is tested.
Heart of Darkness
The black hollyhock is blooming profusely which made me realize that while I scattered the seeds last year, none apparently germinated...very unhollyhocklike!
The garden is growing wildly even in this unseasonable cool weather. The grape vines are shooting up at an alarming rate and I am having to get after them before they block off some areas entirely.
The only disappointment is that my tomatoes have not set any fruit. My Brandywine has exhibited a really awful blossom drop...the stem leading to the blossom is withering into brownness and doing nothing. There is not too much to adjust, but I will try taking the dripper out completely for a bit and let them dry right out. They are so huge and lush that I don't want to lose them now.
The garden is growing wildly even in this unseasonable cool weather. The grape vines are shooting up at an alarming rate and I am having to get after them before they block off some areas entirely.
The only disappointment is that my tomatoes have not set any fruit. My Brandywine has exhibited a really awful blossom drop...the stem leading to the blossom is withering into brownness and doing nothing. There is not too much to adjust, but I will try taking the dripper out completely for a bit and let them dry right out. They are so huge and lush that I don't want to lose them now.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Blue Petunia
Inspired by another flickr member, I am after my petunias. It is amazing that I have neglected to photograph them. It is much trickier than I had thought. It totally depends on the time of day, the wind and the particular flower. I know that might be true of most photos, but with these, say as opposed to the hollyhocks, the difference is startling. I have deleted many many shots, and I know I can do better than this with practice.
KOKO & The FIG
I have found it very difficult to photograph Koko with a straight on shot...she alwyas turns at the last second, but this time I caught her in the act of turning from an intense investigation of a Brown Turkey Fig tree.
She is a very loving but odd odd dog.
She is a very loving but odd odd dog.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
While my back was turned...
While the bee retrieval scaffolding was up, even though I watered the Black Bamboo, I did not notice this huge shoot that was busy working it's way to the sky! As the scaffolding was being dismantled yesterday I suddenly spotted this...it is twice as big as any other stalk on the plant, and fully three times as tall as the tallest...must be 20' tall. It will be very interesting to watch it leaf out.
Plants are amazing!
Plants are amazing!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Shooting into the Creek
I think I must be very tired of people, and late this afternoon, even my garden couldn't bring me solace. I was planting some zucchini plants and basil when I realized that someone was shooting an airgun into the creek.
I let it go until one of the shots landed in the water in front of my kayaks. I finally leaned over the fence to see a young lad busy shooting into the water. After I had shouted, "Knock it off, " he was being careful to shoot directly in front of him. I asked him to stop, but ya know, as a former middle school teacher, all I got was lip as my father would have said.
No parents were home at the time but soon arrived and of course I could hear him making all sorts of wild claims and a few more shots of bravado.
I finished my watering and poop patrol and came in. I might have to go out and take a photo to post later.
When I work on this computer, the SD drive is corrupt and crashes if I try to put the disk in. Not good. I will have to buy an external card reader or work up where it is hot!
And boy this followed right on the heels of a pretty disgusting discovery over on the land. Makes me tired alright.
I let it go until one of the shots landed in the water in front of my kayaks. I finally leaned over the fence to see a young lad busy shooting into the water. After I had shouted, "Knock it off, " he was being careful to shoot directly in front of him. I asked him to stop, but ya know, as a former middle school teacher, all I got was lip as my father would have said.
No parents were home at the time but soon arrived and of course I could hear him making all sorts of wild claims and a few more shots of bravado.
I finished my watering and poop patrol and came in. I might have to go out and take a photo to post later.
When I work on this computer, the SD drive is corrupt and crashes if I try to put the disk in. Not good. I will have to buy an external card reader or work up where it is hot!
And boy this followed right on the heels of a pretty disgusting discovery over on the land. Makes me tired alright.
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