A mutation has occurred in one of my phlox.
A tight, miniature version of the parent.
Perfect for my Fairy Garden.
FOLLOW the Phlox!
Yellow Trumpets
I found gold today.
I was at an undisclosed location looking for a black squirrel,
when I spied bog heaven on the shore of a lake.
I got my shoes all squishy getting these photos, but it was worth it.
How ironic to find Yellow Trumpets in Dizzy Gillespie’s hometown.
The genus name is Sarracenia. I don’t know whether it’s the flava or alata species.
They are pitcher plants. They trap insects in the pitcher and dissolve them as a supplemental source of nitrogen not available in the soil.
This town has been one thrill after another.
I will be sad to leave, but my family, plants and bunnies need me.
Follow the FLOWER.
The Resurrection Fern
These fascinating little epiphytes grow on the barks of trees. They seem to prefer horizontal limbs.
When they are dry they curl up and look almost dead.
When it rains they soak up the water from the bark and..
Viola. Alive again.
Its scientific name is Pleopeltis polypodioides.
The photo below was taken on Monday.
Then again in the rain on Tuesday.
By Wednesday it looked alive again.
Viva la Fern!
I’m Getting Dizzy
Cheraw in the Spring
I enjoyed a long walk today
In my son’s new town.
He moved here this past fall,
so this is my first glimpse of spring in Cheraw, South Carolina.
The azaleas are in full flower now.
The wisteria are wafting their scents into the breezes.
The birds are nesting and singing.
I awoke to a song I did not know this morning.
I’m feeling like a Southern Belle.
I can’t think of anything more southern than moss
and magnolias,
Unless it’s an ornate gate.
Snowballs in spring are just magical.
The boy may have trouble getting rid of mama.
Flowers, Figs and a Freeze
April 6, 2016 in North Carolina.
More anomalies.
Flowers without foliage and foliage with figs, along with freezing temperatures.
My Lizard Kingdom
On any warm day, I can sneak to certain spots and spy lizards taking a sunbath.
Some of them notice me and roll their eyes my way.
The Skinks are skittish and run into the nearest crack, their faces blushed with embarrassment.
The Bluetails turn and flash their blue tails as they retreat.
I have seen them leave this squiggling blue appendage behind when caught.
The big Fence bubbas do push ups at me to show how strong they are.
This baby is still peeling. He has a piece of skin blowing up and down on his head.
Mr. Fence is true to his name here. Notice those blue scales on the chest.
I love my tiny lizard kingdom.
Follow the Reptiles.
Ranunculus Reigns in April
Bright colors, Tight petals, No thorns
Ranunculus reigns like an early rose
It actually comes from tubers, not bulbs
Likes cool weather
May have up to 30+ blooms per plant
Great source of cut flowers.
What’s not to love?
FOLLOW the FLOWER to Spring
The Annunciation Lily
I noticed that many of the annunciation paintings at the Uffizi Art Museum in Florence included a lily that looked like an Easter lily.
I was curious about a lily that churches display at Easter being included with Mary and the angel, Gabriel.
This is a white Madonna lily, Lilium candidum.
It is a symbol for purity, Christ, innocence and spring.
I also thought that Mary’s reaction to Gabriel’s news was portrayed in interesting ways.
If you search Annunciation paintings of the Uffizi Art Museum (or …of Italy), you will see many examples with much better photography. I was amazed by an angel bringing Mary flowers.
Happy Easter!
