Looking on the bright side

There's a bit of good-natured banter between our kids (in Canada) and ourselves when the subject of weather comes up. They tell us about the latest storm and how much snow they got and how cold it is. We try not to dwell on the warmth and sunshine down here, and while they ask about it, I don't think they always want to know. Yes, they may have to shovel snow, but on the other hand they don't have to pull weeds, like the one I found today, out of the flower beds. From my point of view that's a fair trade.

(60mm  f4.5  1/320 sec  ISO200)

Joining in the phun

If you've been here before you might have seen me mention Scott's phun phriday theme. Well, I don't get to participate too often, mainly because I forget too often. But I remembered today and decided I'd join in. Even though I did go out and shoot a few photos on our walk this evening, I  played around a little with a shot I'd made just before the end of last year - actually I played around with a bunch of them, just phor phun - and chose this one. Hope you had phun with photography today too.

(60mm  f4.5  1/40 sec  ISO200)

Imminent extinction

Our lawn is a good news/bad news story - the good news is that it's relatively green; the bad news is that most of the green is due to weeds - more specifically, an abundance of dollarweed. While I was pulling weeds out of the lawn a couple of days ago I grabbed my macro lens and captured some of the tiny but exquisite blooms I discovered. After filling 2 recycling buckets full of weeds from only a part of the backyard, however, and feeling the pangs of advancing age in my back from a few hours of bending over, I decided this was a job best left to the pros.

So today a truck arrived with a tank full of what I hope the weeds will come to regard as a witch's brew. While I won't mourn the demise of the dollarweed, I've discovered a few specimens of the 'nicer' weeds (see below and here) doing nicely, tucked away in a flower bed (I did some checking but couldn't find a name for this one; anyone ?).

(60mm  f5.6  1/50 sec  ISO200)

Another world

We had planned an orderly return to Florida - it was anything but ... We had booked a hotel room for Monday night, having planned to leave early Monday morning, and then finish the remainder of the trip on Tuesday. However, when I did a final check on en route weather conditions Sunday afternoon , I found that a major winter storm was expected for Monday. We decided to try to outrun the storm.

The car was hastily packed with items my wife had already set aside. A last check was made, Sasha eagerly jumped in the car, and we were on our way by 5:00 pm. The journey proceeded uneventfully and by 05:00 the next morning we thought our quick departure was paying dividends. Not so. At the same time, we both thought we saw some snowflakes and mentioned it to each other. Couldn't be, we thought - we were in North Carolina where snow is supposed to be rare ! Sure enough, the few flakes quickly changed to a full-blown blizzard !

In no time the roadway was covered, and before long we came across cars that had slid into the median or ditches along the interstate. Lane markings were covered and we judged where we were based on hearing the rumble strips along the shoulders. Fortunately there was little traffic at that time. We searched radio stations for weather updates, and these indicated that later in the day worse was expected further along our route, in South Carolina and Georgia. We decided not to stay in SC as planned but to head further south.

We 'plowed' ahead through the snow, which eventually became freezing rain, and finally rain - which turned the fallen snow into a thick, steering wheel-grabbing slush. After 5 or so hours of this winter driving, the roads were finally clear of snow, slush and ice, and we proceeded in the rain. I needed a few 1/2 hour catnaps along the way to prevent open-eye hallucinations. After awaking from my last catnap in Jacksonville, FL, I felt like Rip van Winkle emerging from a long long sleep - the weather was quite warm (21C/70F) and the sun was shining. The ice that had accumulated on the car was long gone as was all the salt which had been washed off by the rain. And, after 27 hours on the road, we made it !

Today I spent some time pulling weeds out of the lawn and did my best to prevent getting a sunburn ! Here's an example of some I pulled. Oh, I checked it out - it's known as Emilia fosbergii, or Red Florida Tassel Flower.

(60mm  f5.6  1/60 sec  ISO200)

(60mm  f11  1/80 sec  ISO200)

(Day 333) An international wildflower

Thanks to Leslie who identified the 'weed' I found in the lawn here 2 weeks ago, but more importantly, gave me a link to help identify more 'weeds' and wildflowers, I was able to quickly identify the subject of my post today. I've seen this one growing in many lawns, including ours, and did a little research into it. It's identified by its scientific name of Richardia Grandiflora but is commonly called Largeflower Mexican Clover, Largeflower Pusley, and Fairy Cups. It originated in Brazil.

Various sources identify it as an invasive weed, while others call it a wildflower. No matter what you decide to call it, it looks pretty nice, and the bugs on this one like it too.

(60mm  f14  1/8 sec  ISO200)

click on photo to enlarge

(Day 319) Upon closer inspection ...

Today while I was doing PPP duty (pet poop patrol) I found something a little more aesthetically pleasing than the object(s) of my prime objective. I've noticed that the lenses of my eyes have been sharpened over the past year (no, I still need reading glasses) - it's something I've mentioned in previous posts - and now I see beyond the lawn and objects to be removed from it.

I found a small number of these little yellow flowers, only about 1/2" in diameter, growing in the grass. I'm still learning so I don't know if they're weeds, or desirables. Seems they keep their heads down just low enough to escape the lawnmower's blades, so I'll just leave them be too.

(60mm  f14  1/4 sec  ISO200)

(Day 306) 'Exotic' weed ?

I was out in the back yard this morning waiting around while Sasha was doing the doggy thing so I could clean up (ah, the life of a dog lover - it's not all fun and games, you know). I was looking at our bougainvillea which has grown into a large plant and which is currently full of flowers. On another fence I noticed a strange looking orange 'fruit' hanging from a vine that covered most of the fence. It reminded me of a Japanese lantern, a plant we had in the garden at home many years ago. I made a mental note to come back later with the camera.

In the late afternoon I came back for another look and discovered they were also growing all over the ficus hedge at the back. I also noticed that the 'fruit' I had seen in the morning was now split open and showing bright red seeds. The ants and wasps had also found them - I suspect they had been waiting around for them to open. I made some photos and then tried to find some information on them. After much sleuthing, I found out what they were - 'balsam apples' - although I've never seen apples looking like these. And I was right to think that they were weeds - they're prolific growers. I think I'll wait a few days, though, before I remove them - the ants and wasps looked like they were having such a good time.

(60mm  f14  1/3 sec  ISO200)

(60mm  f22  1/2 sec  ISO200)

(Day 294) Of weeds 'n seeds

It's amazing how quickly nature reclaims an area that's left alone for just a little while. You may recall that we used to have a few chickens, which we gave away when our chicken sitter went off to college and we started doing more travelling. We had a fenced area outside the coop where the chickens could scratch to their hearts' content, and it was barren of any living plants. It wasn't long after they were gone, however, when the weeds started sprouting. Now, you can imagine how fertile that ground would have been after chickens had run around on it for several years ! Those weeds grew as though they were on steroids - which they were I suppose.

This afternoon I happened to walk by there and I hacked my way through the weed jungle to the centre of the fenced area where an enormous weed, taller than me, dominated the landscape. I immediately noticed the interesting seed pods - which should ensure a good weed crop next year - and which became today's subject. I had to shoot them indoors, however, due to the wind gusts.

(60mm  f4.5  1/2 sec  ISO800)

(60mm  f11  3.2 sec  ISO800)

(Day 224) No touch ... just look

A few weeks ago I posted a couple of shots of a rather prickly plant we have in the backyard. In some places it grows in profusion, but I've only found one in our yard - it's now at a height of about 5', since it's the only specimen, so I haven't treated it as a weed. I had promised to post a shot when it bloomed - that day arrived today.

(60mm  f14  1/15 sec  ISO200)

(60mm  f5  1/40 sec  ISO200)

(Day 204) Beautiful, but beware

I confess - I couldn't wait to make a few photos of today's subject. Once its flowers open, it's even more striking, which detracts from its less than benign features.

Of course I'm talking about the Canadian thistle. How it got its geographic designation isn't known, but it's a misnomer apparently since it didn't originate here. It is widespread throughout many countries.

A closer examination through these two photos quickly reveals why simply touching one of these is quite painful. Ah, but once they flower, they're tempting to cut and put in a vase, very carefully.

(60mm  f22  15 sec  ISO400)

(60mm  f22  55 sec  ISO400)

(Day 75) Weeds and bokeh

When is a weed not a weed ? Dumb question to ask a gardener - "it's always a weed!". But, when you ask a photographer, well, you might get a different answer. With the right lighting and aperture, and when the bokeh works out, that weed might just be considered art, or at least a photo worth posting. As they say - "beauty is in the eye of the beholder".

(60mm  f29  1/20 sec  ISO200)

(60mm  f16  1/125 sec  ISO200)