Month: July 2022

They Love the Rainy Nights

| Flower Roberts

We have had several good rains these past few days. The storm two nights ago was particularly long and drenching. It was also loud. No not the thunder…the local frogs and toads.

The cacophony of mating calls was constant and deafening. At one point an amphibian attached itself to the screen of my bedroom window(closed of course) which magnified his vocals. I laughed out loud.

Last night the chorus was totally silent. I guess the party had petered out. They did leave evidence of their activity in the koi pond.

I try to keep the fish well fed, so maybe a few eggs will be spared.

Some of the eggs have started to elongate.

A restless night is worth it to watch these develop into tadpoles…hopefully.

Amphibians love the rainy nights, but Mr. Flower does not.

FLOW

Flyer Meets Flower

| Flower Roberts

When flyer meets flower

Swallowtail butterfly on Stargazer lily

they both get a treat.

Bumble bee on blue lace cap Hydrangea

The flower makes some seeds

Swallowtail butterfly on Tiger lily ‘Splendens’ Double

and the flyer gets to eat.

Blue Crown Passion vine with unknown bug

FLOW

Teeny Tiny Nests

| Flower Roberts

Fluted Bird’s Nest fungi look like the nests of teeny tiny birds, but these ‘eggs’ are really spore cases called periodoles. The ‘nests’ are actually splash cups called a sporocarps.

The scientific name for these tiny, wondrous fungi is Cyathus striatus.

The immature nests are a lighter color and have a thin skin on top, so that the ‘eggs’ will not get launched out by a raindrop before they are ready.

Fluted Bird’s Nest / Cyathus striatus

The mature nests are darker brown with gray ‘eggs’ ready for takeoff during the next rain.

This last shot shows a mix of mature and immature nests. Nature is beautiful and magical.

Cyathus striatus

FLOW on Fungi

Walk Softly

| Flower Roberts

I must move carefully in the garden. There are friends underfoot everywhere.

Do you see it?

One of my most vivid memories as a young child is the murdering of a toad found in the sandbox at Mrs. Blythe’s nursery school. An older boy found the toad, tortured it and smashed it with a rock. He should have been sent straight to Jackson’s Training School or jail.

My sister and I took toad deaths very seriously. We had a graveyard in the woods where we buried the smashed flat, dried toads we found in the road. We would hold solemn funerals for the deceased. We also gave guided tours of our facilities to the neighbors, who I am sure were thoroughly amused.

So with this bit of childhood baggage, I fear the accidental death of one of my amphibious friends.

They are in every hole and hopping across every walkway.

When I burned weeds with my torch last night, I was on the lookout so as not to bar-b-que a little neighbor.

It’s hard to walk and work without worry when you have little friends underfoot.

FLOW

Peach and Plum Mullein

| Flower Roberts

I cut an advertisement out of a magazine for Burpee’s Southern Charm Verbascum in 1995. It has been in my files since then. I finally found one in 2020. This Flower plays the long game.

This Verbascum/Mullein has not been happy here. I have moved it… I thought. Now a struggling plant is in the old spot and another in the new location. I will keep moving it until it is happy.

Southern Charm Verbascum and tiny bee(right)

In the mean time, I will enjoy its scraggly spikes with the color combo that I love and the tiny bees that fascinate me.

The anatomy of this bloom is not the usual centered symmetry of stamen and pistil. The stamen look like purple pipe cleaners.

It struggles along but survives. I know how it feels.

Grow(and bloom)where you are planted.

FLOW

Grandfather Mountain

| Flower Roberts

We took a trip to Grandfather Mountain last week. I wanted to see the new Wilson Center.

We also wanted to see the animals in their habitat-mimicking enclosures.

There are Bald Eagles and cougars(not pictured). Also otters, elk and black bear.

We have a favorite picnic spot with a great view.

I took my eyes off my child for one second and look where I find him!

The Mile High Swinging Bridge is a big draw for Grandfather Mountain.

The twisting road up was the site of a scene in the Forrest Gump movie.

I hiked all over this mountain as a teenager. It requires grit. My dad was an avid hiker.

If you are craven some adventure, you may want to swing by Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina.

http://www.grandfather.com or email habitats@grandfather.com

FLOW

Trail Riding in the Mountains

| Flower Roberts

We spent a day on the trails last week. This is a rare treat. Our son came along.

We saw mama deer ( jumping out of right side of photo)

with her tiny fawn which paused to pose in the middle of the road.

This road is part of a gated community. Most owners show respect for the land and nature.

We came upon a fallen tree across the community road.

I am glad my son was there for the cutting, pulling and pushing so that I could be the photographer.

The raspberries and black berries by the road were ripe. They were sweet and warmed by the sun.

We always eat lunch at this bridge.

It was a great day to check on nature.

That side-by-side isn’t just for working. It transported Mama to a July 4th party in style.

The Queen Mother July 4, 2022

FLOW

(Photos from my phone. Sorry for the blurriness)