Eclipse Leaf Patterns
Posted: August 21, 2017 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: eclipse, nature photography 15 Comments
I heard on the Eclipse reports to watch the shade thrown by trees. This is our peak at 66%. Notice the sunlight is making crescents. The light outside was noticeably different, but not enough for the birds here to be silent.
As the moon is moving away from the face of the sun around 1:58, the crescents widened along with the sun.
By 2:09 the shapes are less distinct.
Near the end of the Eclipse, the sunlight through the trees was returning to normal. We only had a partial Eclipse and it was really interesting to watch. I will be looking forward to 2024 when the Total Eclipse will happen in Texas!
PS I did manage to make the Eclipse into a gardening subject…haha!
Ready and Waiting for the Eclipse
Posted: August 21, 2017 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: eclipse 2 Comments
We are only getting about 66%, but I will take what I can. I found a way to make a viewer online and luckily found the glasses a few weeks ago. Can’t wait.
High and Out of Reach
Posted: August 21, 2017 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: Automatic Gardening, Bartram's Garden, Evening Primrose, Gardening, Gulf Coast gardening, Oenothera grandiflora, rabbits, Southern Gardening, subtropical climate, Subtropical Gardening, William Bartram 18 Comments
One of my favorite plants is William Bartram’s Evening Primrose (Oenothera grandiflora). I purchased the original seeds at Bartram’s Garden in Philadelphia. The instructions said they were difficult to germinate, so I was thrilled when I was able to grow them.
Unfortunately over the past few years, the rabbits have taken to eating them or just biting the stems in half. This year, I was determined to grow some Primrose to replenish my seed supply. I managed to get six plants to grow in pots and elevated them in a tall planter.
It worked and the Evening Primroses bloomed. Soon I will be able to collect seeds for next year.
Service with a Smile
Posted: August 14, 2017 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: Automatic Gardening, Backyard Critters, Gulf Coast gardening, My Kitchen Window, nature photography, rabbits, Southern Gardening 10 Comments
I noticed some motion on the back porch and spotted the rabbit named Patch near the back door. Apparently, it was rabbit snack time. Patch waited for me outside the garage door for a afternoon snack of sunflower seeds.
Birds Hate It
Posted: July 16, 2017 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: Backyard Critters, birdbath, Cardinals, Carolina Wrens, My Kitchen Window, Southern Gardening 9 Comments
I recently got a new birdbath. It is clear, yellow, looks great in the garden and can be seen from my kitchen window. It is a replacement for an old one, that the birds loved. As it turns out, the birds hate this one. I thought it was because of being clear, so I added some stones. Not one bird has stopped by.
The new birdbath is easy to keep clean and always has fresh water in it, but that does not seem to be enough to entice the birds. The very cute Carolina Wrens prefer a bath in this toad station that is always dirty.
Or sometimes they use the rim of the upside down fire pit when it holds water.
The wrens, Frick and Frack will even take a soak in plant saucers, which are not clean at all. Even the Cardinals prefer the water from the dirty saucers.
I found evidence of the Wrens enjoying a couples’ spa day. After a soak they finished with a mud bath in the planter (notice two dents). Sometimes we can try to do what we think wildlife would like, but it doesn’t always work out that way. I guess the new birdbath will just have to please me and not the birds.
PS I am shopping for a new one that they will like and I have another one that the rabbits and squirrels enjoy along with the birds.
Design in Nature
Posted: July 3, 2017 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: Automatic Gardening, Gardening, Gulf Coast gardening, Southern Gardening, subtropical climate, Subtropical Gardening, Texas Star Hibiscus, Year-round gardening 9 Comments
Early one morning, this Texas Star Hibiscus caught my eye. It was partially opened and the sun was shining through the green star making it look like stained glass.
Unfortunately, the view from human eye always looks better than a photo and the glow is not quite captured.
Before long, the flower opened separating the green star. Nature has an endless variety of beautiful designs.
Dazzling Disneys
Posted: June 19, 2017 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: Automatic Gardening, Disney Ginger, Gardening, Gulf Coast gardening, Hedychium coccineum, Southern Gardening, subtropical climate, Subtropical Gardening, Year-round gardening 18 Comments
The Hedychium coccineums, otherwise known as Disney Gingers, are dazzling this year.
The Gingers are blooming a little earlier this season, due to rain and an early Spring.
The Disney Gingers have really multiplied this year and have very robust flowers. Quite a few haven’t bloomed yet, so the show will be extended for weeks.
