Tag Archives: blogging

nature, Photography

Lace-Leaf Maples

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Lace-leaf maples start their spring with red, lacy leaves that over about the first two months appear to be more autumnish than springy.

April 27

Gradually, though, these leaves become a type of russet-green that signals their transition to the full green of spring.

May 11

This lace-leaf is about half-way between red and green.

November 6, 2024

I took the above photo in November, 2024. The lace-leaf in the earlier photos is pictured here in its fire-engine red, autumn garb. Isn’t it spectacular? From this peak, it gradually becomes more and more purple before losing its shrivelled leaves almost completely by February.

May 14

This photo from a couple of days ago shows an even more complete transformation to green. Its beautiful cascading shape and incredible colour changes would make it a lovely addition to any garden.

Happy Sunday.

nature, Photography

Busy Bees

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I saw this huge bumblebee searching for nectar in a rhododendron bloom. I had never seen one this large before; it was at least 20mm (0.8 inch) if not more. I wondered how it could possibly fly with that bulky, very heavy body. Although bees do not fly in defiance of the rules of aviation, it sure can seem like it!

After some research, I found that this is a Nevada bumblebee; it is common from Alaska and British Columbia to as far south as California and as far west as New Mexico.

Here is a picture of a more average-sized bumble bee; it was foraging next to the huge Nevada bumblebee and looked like a mini-cooper next to a semi-truck! I’m much more used to seeing these smaller ones, but whether large, small, honeybee or bumblebee, they are extremely important to the heath and welfare of so many of Earth’s plants.

Vive les abeilles! 🐝

nature, Photography

May 15’s Friday Fleurday

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Here is a sample of some of the spring glories we have right now.

Very pink rhododendrons.
An azalea and rhododendron cascade.
Fragrant lilac.
Snowball hydrangeas …
… and again in detail.
A rain washed peony.
And a chorus of irises.

In Canada, the long Victoria Day weekend is about to start; please enjoy your camping or barbecuing or whatever you might have planned. For everyone else, have a good regular weekend and don’t forget to enjoy the flowers. 💐

nature, Photography

Bobbin’ Robins

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As I was taking a walk a few days ago, I heard the distinct call of an agitated robin. Then I noticed a recently fledged one, hopping madly ahead of me and calling desperately for mom.

As soon as Little One saw her, (s)he stopped calling and began looking for worms or bugs. Mom continued to nonchalantly hop ahead. As soon as Little One lost sight again though, the calling started once more and only ended when mom came into view. Poor Little One then gave up and begged to be fed. It’s so hard learning how to find something to eat!

Mom is on the right, mostly hidden by foliage but with one eye visible.

Nature is a demanding taskmaster since mom basically ignored Little One’s signals.

Sorry Little One, you have to learn to feed yourself.

It was clear that mom expected Little One to forage on her/his own. There was acknowledgment from mom, but no food!

Robin parents have to be very tough, but I have no doubt that this young one will soon figure out to copy mom and learn the best spots for fat worms.

Happy Thursday.

nature, Photography

Evening Ramble

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We had a heavy, late afternoon shower followed by clearing skies and the fresh scent of spring grass, leaves and flowers.

As everything began to dry off, the sun started to set behind the mountains.

Meanwhile, I found some freshly washed western azaleas to admire …

… blooming profusely with their relatives …

… the rhododendrons.

Happy Wednesday.