Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Please Release Me

After carefully spritzing all my plants with water after dark, I released the ladybugs. Some of them started marching up my legs (I guess I looked like a plant) and I didn't notice until they'd gotten quite far. Goodbye aphids.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Bright Star

It would have been nice to have a lazy day. No such luck. Getting more comfortable, temperature-wise, outside.

Monday, June 28, 2010

There Might Be More


Still hot but there's a downward temperature trend. It didn't seem too bad, actually because we know a cool-down is coming soon. The orchids always look cool.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

It's Cooler in the Shade

Really hot again today so that air conditioning is almost mandatory. We got going early so we could soak the garden without melting. The tiny bees were happy to hang out on the agapanthus.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

A Good Day

It was well over 100 degrees today so we went for an early breakfast picnic followed by a walk. An extremely relaxing day doing just the type of things I like. Thanks to J.

Bonus (because it's soothing): Breakfast Picnic View, now with moving pictures if you click below.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Pink Eyes


There were no lupine along the river this year. The vetch is winding down. And, we have masses of these pink flowers that I've never seen before and can't identify though I have a feeling they're probably invasive.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Growing Fast


The garden is going to town. Lots of large green tomatoes. Echinacea blooms have made their appearance.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

And It Was Good

One of the deck tomato plants is doing very well. A carpenter bee swings by regularly to do the pollinating. An excellent arrangement even if I didn't have any part in the negotiation.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Wasp or Cuckoo?

This bug racket I have going is highly frustrating. If the picture isn't clear, I can't make an i.d. (and if it's clear, there's still no guarantee). Today was the warmest-feeling day of the year, so far.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Summer Hug

Here we see dahlia buds in a curious embrace. The foliage has blackish highlights. The plant is very striking with its yellow flowers.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Yes, Another Bee

And yet another species that I can't quite pin down. It was almost cool outside today. Very nice for the last day of spring.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

High and Cold

Our river is running high and cold. The sandbar is nearly submerged. It makes a great hangout for the egrets.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Which Bee?

This is a small bee and I'm not completely convinced that it's a bumble bee. I can't figure out what species it belongs to. It was very pleased with the lavender and the borage.














BONUS: Bee Movie! Brought to you by artichoke cam (click below).

Thursday, June 17, 2010

So Late


It seems to be skunk season. Although it's cooler outside, the windows are staying shut. Not pleasant.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Sweet Green Sweat Bee


What a silly common name for a cool little bee--Agapostemon is better. This year they're drawn to the oregano blooms. Many other bee species are right there with them.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Exuberant

The garden is coming into its own. A welcome breeze came to town last night and stuck around today. The windows are open.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Cute Cuke

Some of the cucumber seeds sprouted. Now they need to get going. I want to make pickles this summer.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Two in the Nest

A very poor picture due to the wind and the height of the nest (plus it's DARK under the redwoods). There are two baby hummingbirds sitting side by side. They look about ready to take flight.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Mine. All Mine


More wind from the north. The mercury was a little higher. The bees didn't care.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Old Fashioned

A nasty north wind blew all day. Very warm out. Grass fire season has begun.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Hummingbird Nest

There seems to be at least one baby in the nest. Mama hummingbird was not happy with my presence so I didn't stay long enough to get a good photo. She wouldn't go to the nest while I was around which I didn't think was good for the baby.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Lime Cluster

I might have a lot more limes this year. They're about 1/4 inch long. A long way to go.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Strawberry Fail

Mildew on the berries in the strawberry pot. Other berries are fine. Never had this happen before.

Monday, June 7, 2010

Upside-Down

We let a fennel plant bolt. The flowers seem to drive the beneficial insect population wild. I guess the plant's staying until it stops blooming.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Spread Eagle

The first couple of hot weather days always take a bit of getting used to. We're getting there. Do wish the low humidity levels would return.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Stretching


It was finally hot today but not humid. Much better. Some gardening happened.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Bump and Grind

Extremely muggy out today. The hideously overpowering scent of star jasmine was hanging in the air. This is not normal.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Orange Delight

Cloudy and windy. So cloudy that it was almost dark at 7 p.m. I think the rain passed us by, however.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Dainty

My fuchsia is starting to bloom a few weeks later than it did last year. Warm and muggy this afternoon. Mostly cloudy too.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Variegation

Warm but not hot today. But, the first day after a holiday is never that fun. Better day anticipated tomorrow.