Here are some more of Fernymoss' shots of the daffodils currently blooming in the Woodland garden on the north side of our house. (Taken on 21 April, 2008) Today they were nearly in their full glory, although some plantings are a bit behind others --more in the shade-- but we like them to stick around a little longer, so we don't mind at all.As for first picture in this series, it's obviously the bee venturing into the flower that commands the center of attention. It's good to see the bees coming back already ... I've seen a few bumblebees recently, as well as the occasional honey bee (of which we don't seem to see many).
In one of my recent posts about the Crocus, I talked about how I had inadvertently gotten a very small Lacewing in the shot. Now, we're not sure it's the same one (I have no idea how fast they grow), but in two of these shots you can see a Lacewing in pretty good detail ... the first and second ones show it in full view, and in the third you can see it off hiding behind one of the petals. And then it flew away, as winged insects are likely to do when the lens is focusing too intently upon them ...
I took a few pictures today after work, and though it was clouding up (rain is on the way tonight) and it was a bit on the breezy side, I did manage to get a nice couple of shots of the Hyacinths that have just opened up (last night). I'll soon be adding those to a post on Hyacinths I've been preparing for a week or so ... just to chronicle their progress from buds to blooms. Actually both Fernymoss and I went on an inspection tour out front when he got home from work, and as I had been suspecting, we both concluded that we've lost a significant number of tulips since that nasty, long freezing spell last year. We're hoping for the best but it now looks like we will have to be replenishing the tulip plantings again in the fall.
And I'm afraid those weren't the only casualties ... Unless something akin to a miracle happens, I fear we have lost both of our big Fritillarias as well. As I mentioned in an earlier post, they really got zapped last year ... came up early, froze off and disappeared. Add that to the list of bulbs we'll be replacing in the fall as well. (Sigh)
On a more positive note, it appears that other bulbs are taking it in stride and actually increasing their share of the real estate. The Purple Globe Alliums we have out front have definitely been multiplying ... from three original bulbs planted, we easily have 8-10 coming up this year, so those should be exciting when they bloom next month! We also have a Hyacinth that seems not only to have multiplied but mutated in color as well ... In short, there's a lot going on out there right now. I'm also planning a post or two documenting the emergence and growth of some of the perennials, because a lot of them have appeared and are gearing up for their moments in the spotlight. Things such as the Dicentras (Bleeding Heart), Columbines, Ferns and even one of the Toad Lilies ... And on a closing note, I should also mention that a bloom on one of my Primroses (Primula polyanthus) was open today! They too have been busy multiplying and what were once five plants now appear to be about 7 or 8! More on them later too ... But for now, enjoy the daffodils and bugs.
5 comments:
Good lacewing shot!
As for the bulbs that got frozen out… think of it as evolution in action. Sounds like the survivors are making the best of things, and will prove even hardier as time goes on.
Hi IVG, hi FAR.
Yeah, that lacewing shot is fantastic! :)
That's too bad about some of the bulbs not coming back ... but it's good that others are busy multiplying ... :)
Think of the lost bulbs as an opportunity to go out shopping for some new "toys" for your garden.
The bugs are neat but I really like how those photos capture the shadowed areas of the flowers.
Hey there folks!
FAR, you may be on to something there. After all we plant almost exclusively 'Darwin' hybrids of tulips because they last so much longer and stay true to form. We do plan on replenishing a bit in the fall, but it will be interesting to see if your theory bears out next year!
Olivia, you know how we just love shooting cool bugs in the garden! What we're really anxious to see is if the Praying Mantises are back this year ... we're betting they will be, and you know where you can see them if they do!
B2, we do enjoy shopping for bulbs a great deal, but our problem is that we usually end up wanting to spend about $200 or so, and ultimately have to eliminate a lot of choices. Buying quality bulbs from reputable sellers isn't exactly cheap, though those you can usually find at discount places such as the Great Satan of Retailing, often aren't worth it because they're of inferior quality. (And probably from China instead of Holland, hehe.)
Yeah, I thought the sun/shadow play Fernymoss got was really striking as well. We've had two really nice sunny days this week, and now we're back to clouds and rain for the next few days... well, it's spring!
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