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.

Bright Star

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Growing Fast

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

High and Cold

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

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).

So Late

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

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.

Exuberant

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

Cute Cuke

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

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.

Mine. All Mine

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

Old Fashioned

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

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.

Lime Cluster

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

Strawberry Fail

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

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.

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.

Stretching

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

Bump and Grind

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

Orange Delight

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

Dainty

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

Variegation

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