The Three Bees

B stands for birds bees and butterflies and there is no shortage in the garden. No shortage of earwigs either but let's save that for another (rainy) day.

I love the way the wings are crossed on it's back and it looks like it's little arms are holding on to the flower.



When snapping so many shots in an effort to catch the right angle or simply get the picture before it takes flight again you may end up with unexpected objects in the picture.

Upon closer examination of this one there appears to be a fly dangling from a flower.

And here is a bee heading straight for the butterfly... unaware when releasing the shutter that this was the case.

While sitting on the patio, camera at side, along came a monarch butterfly. Thirty-seven frames later taken from a distance of about 20 feet or so using the optical zoom, I managed some okay images of the winged monarch. Much patience was required as it fed for quite some time (or so it seemed) at each flower, sometimes at not the most flattering angle for a photo. Shortly before ending the photo session, another monarch arrived and then a third. Three monarchs fluttering around the was too much for me to handle so that's when I decided to get back to work (in the garden). I am not sure how long I actually sat there. I do know that if I am going to be on that patio for any length of time, the camera comes with me. Even so, the elusive hummingbird shot right past me and I've missed the dragonfly, various birds and on and on.

You can barely make out the head of the baby robin in this photo. It was hard to get because of the branches in the way - maybe just how mama robin planned it.

This little bird looks like it is posing for me ha ha. Will have to ask Craig what bird it is or resort to looking it up in the book. Ask me the name of a plant and I'll probably have the answer but when it comes to birds, I know only a few (add to list of things to get better at).

Gone With the Wind

We had a little wind storm a couple of weeks ago (late posting... again) and were lucky to sustain only minor damage. Looking at these pictures you would think it was worse.

This tree branch came straight down and impaled itself into the ground.

The wind snapped the pole on one of our umbrellas and sent it flying into the neighbours yard...

and sent the cast iron urn hurtling as well. As you can see from the load in the pickup, the rest of the damage was minimal, just a few small branches. We're thankful - it could have been a lot worse.

Dexter the Lookout Dog in His New Garden

Dexter moved a couple of weeks ago into his new home and garden. This being a blog about "all things gardening" I believe I can now officially include Dexter. I believe Dexter is going to be a great gardener or at least a great gardener watcher.

Dexter loves to watch and listen. He can sit (or stand) for ages just looking. He especially likes to look at the birds but will look at just about anything.








Dexter's new backyard is ready to be landscaped and the new owners (Dexter's mommy and daddy) are gung ho to get things done. The property has good bones (just like Dexter) but needs some work. Happy gardening Dexter, we'll be checking in on you from time to time to see how you are doing.

Through the Garden Gate

Last Sunday (yes, I am late posting) I left my garden to view some other gardens on the local garden tour. Attending every year and always come away with many beautiful images and ideas etched in my mind.


This year while I was gone, Craig fixed the bird bath water feature, cut the grass, secured my new "garden lady" in the ground, moved the face on the tree to where it could be seen (it became hidden behind the virginia creeper) and did the dishes. Am I spoiled or what?!


We began the tour at this lovely garden full of wonderful plantings lovingly looked after by the man of the house. All I can say is - he must be retired because it is a huge garden and very well maintained. Boy I wish I could grow lavender like that (add to list of things to get better at).


Even the land behind the guardrail on the road is planted up and looking good.

The owners of this garden were going to clear out the area between their property and the neighbour's due to the fact that there were several dead trees and it was a mess and a bit of an eyesore. In the end, both parties agreed to transform it into a natural area and pathway. They now can both access it from their respective yards and enjoy the beauty. Walking through it we found ourselves re-living our childhoods - what a great place for kids! It's like a little fairy tale forest. It includes a swing and seating area (furniture obvioulsy made from the fallen or dead trees. I could have stayed there all day - it was so cozy and being out of the sun, cool.

Good, there must be grandchildren to enjoy the natural woods because here is a pair of boots - probably outgrown - in the garden. Nice touch.

This waterfall is fed from a natural spring. No wonder the garden is so lush. Am I envious?

Every garden needs some whimsy. Heather and Missy this one is for you both. A garden isn't complete without a garden gnome - or a collecton of garden gnomes. Not sure what that thing in the centre is.

Do you think if I ask nicely, Craig will build a birdhouse like this one for me?

This isn't a garden you say. No it isn't but it is what you see when you visit many of the gardens in the town where I live. This is Lake Huron and it forms the backdrop for the next garden on the tour.

This garden is absolutely stunning. There is no grass to cut. I can imagine myself gardening with the lake beside me.

This garden boasts a breathtaking view, a bunkie/playhouse for the grandkids, an abundance of perennials and annuals, a gazebo, various privacy fences and many sculptures and ornaments. It is a little paradise on the lake.

Anyone for a swim after a hard days gardening? The lake is literally at the back door.

Critters

I don't know if this is the robin who's nest I recently posted pictures of And Then There Was Fog but I guess it could be - or it could be one of many other robins that frequent and nest in our yard. What I do know is that they seem to have a little bit of an ego. For instance, this one actually posed for me. I would take a shot and it would turn, move a little closer etc. until I ended up with several pictures at different angles. This (or one of the 'other' robins) likes to sit on the side mirror of my truck and look at itself and pick at the mirror. It will jump/fly from the mirror to the roof and back again and again. Ego? Obsessive compulsive? Maybe it's something in the water. It will be in the driveway when I get home from work just waiting to take it's place on the mirror. Oh yes, and it poops on the mirror; again and again.

While taking shots of the modest robin, I turned to see this bunny out having breakfast.

Yes, there is an abundance of critter life around. Craig has twice seen deer nearby. Once in the neighbour's yard on one side of us and once in the neighbour's yard on the other side. I haven't seen the deer yet but am now always watching. We live in the middle of town but there is a ravine nearby and I know that deer have been nibbling (chomping) at the garden of a neighbour across the street. Her garden was on the local garden tour this past weekend and I laughed when I saw the sign she had posted near the nibbled plants - 'Deer Feeding Area'.

Cornus kousa

This Kousa dogwood has a special place in my garden and my heart.

Common name: kousa dogwood
Type: tree
Zone: 5 to 8
Family: Cornaceae
Native Range: Japan, Korea, China
Height: 15 to 30 feet
Spread: 15 to 30 feet
Bloom Time: May - June
Bloom Color: White to pinkish (bracts)
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low

Pink Marshmallows

Pink Marshmallow Fuschia

Cheeky

Chippy looks like it has the mumps with it's cheeks so full. We know now why Chippy has been hanging around so much...

it (she?) has a home under the shed. How quickly they can create a doorway!

I Heart You

The hostas a loving all this rain and moisture. Their hearts are happy.

This 'Blue Angel' hosta has always been the biggest hosta in my garden but this year it has outdone itself being about 5 feet in diameter. Wow. Sadly, it (the beautiful regular rains) could all change in a heartbeat as the hot, dry dog days of summer arrive... or maybe not this year? Ha, my guess is yes, it will get hot and dry at least for a little while. The rainwater in the rainbarrels will be used up and the hose will have to come out.