It just feels that way, today. A sadness that pervades my mood. Saying goodbye to warm days and the sun for a few months, must be it.
Many projects await. Things will pick up… the winter season is lively on this island. It’s just a certain interlude, right now… A lull.
Tag Archives: nature
Blooming – Photo Wednesday
Spring is about… More dailight, warmth, sunshine. Plants are responding. Nature is exhuberant. My fingernails resemble those of a nine-year old boy… short and dirty… from working in the garden.
Beauty. Indoors or outdoors. Quiet happiness.
First: indoors, a hibiscus celebrates sunshine.
And outdoors, on one of my walks… I came across a lovely orchid: Western Coral-root (Corallorhiza mertensiana).
And on another excursion… I found the lovely, but deadly Death Camas Lily (Zigadenus venenosus). Best to admire this one from a distance, no touching, and certainly no ingesting…
East Point on Saturna – Photo Wednesday
This afternoon, I went to East Point for a walk. Beautiful day, lovely surprises. First, the view, from the cliffside…
Then, a close up of gorse (Ulex europeanus), an invasive species brought over a long time ago, and making its way around the islands. Spiny, nasty plant with gorgeous bloom… There has to be a good side to everything, right?
And finally, a jewel on the cliff… Indian paintbrush (Castillejia), native wildflower blooming in the sun on a cliff… It cheered me up no end.
Bull Kelp – Photo Wednesday
All around this island, when you stare at the water, you see bull kelp. Starting to grow early in the season. In full bloom, later, during the summer. Almost poking out of the water in early fall. Too tall for low tide!
Here is an informal picture of bull kelp (nereocystis luetkeana) floating about in the current. This annual kelp grows to impressive size (90 feet+) in one season, then breaks down and washes up in the most interesting “curls” on the shore, in the fall.
It creates forests underwater, where countless creatures hide, live and make a living.
Garden Time
Time to take a look at my neglected garden, clean up, try to eliminate the blackberries that are making an incursion… Dangerous business, blackberry removal. Must get thicker gloves. In the meantime, bumblebees are having a party in the rock cress (aubrietia) that is growing over the stone wall.
