Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Little Red Eyes ... Day 232

Sitting waiting for my grandsons at 6am in the parking lot, I noticed the lamps had little red eyes.  

Thursday, August 25, 2011

We Had a Storm ... Day 226

The Storm blew over trees and took out the electric for 6 hours, thus I missed Day 225.  Wonderful storm, wonderful RAIN, feeling blessed.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

The Birds Are Coming ... Day 222

It fascinates me the way the birds begin lining the electric wires in the evening.  To the right is another large flock coming.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Heirloom Marigold ... Day 221

The huge tree looking shrub in the foreground is a Heirloom Marigold. I had no idea it would get this large, I am hoping it will bloom quickly so I can save the seeds for next year.  Have any of you seen a Marigold this large?

Friday, August 19, 2011

Beautiful Sun Rays ... Day 220

I had to crop out the electric lines, but it was worth pulling over and taking the shot.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Giant Bird Bath ... Day 219

I walked out to turn off the sprinkler on the garden, and was greeting with dozens of birds getting their bath at the Redbud that is at the back of the picture. I tried hard to capture at least one dive bombing bird, but they were too fast for my little camera.  You will have to do with viewing their source of Eden today.  It told me I need to do this frequently for them. I had not thought the 103 degree weather was causing them challenges. 
It is an ideal place, close to a small tree where they can be safe from the hawks and cats. Sorry to be a chatty cathy today.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Visited a Nursery in Quest of Summer Color... Day 217

Bulbine frutescens Orange African Bulbine
Plants for Texas choice. Drought Resistant.  Notice the word... Resistant.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Gratitude... Day 216

Instead of whining about the drought, I thought I should be expressing gratitude for the blessings I have.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Ant-Lions... Day 215

 I have noticed we have an unprecedented colony of ant-lions in our yard.   Must be due to the drought.  They do eat ants. Love them.  My son located and pulled up one of the larvae.  Click on the link in the captions to see the adult.

Ant-lion larvae, click here to see adult.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Eerie Night Sky... Day 214

I thought the movement of the clouds gave an eerie look to the moon tonight.  There was almost a rainbow around it.

Friday, August 12, 2011

I Am Telling You, I Am Hot... Day 213

Look at those beseeching eyes.  Kai would love for me to leave the sprinkler on all day for him.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Vintage Table cloth... Day 212

I found this at a thrift store.  Trying to decide whether to use as a vintage setting or make into a vintage apron. What do you think?  I love the pulled embroidery with the cross stitch.  

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Survivers of The Heat... Day 210

The Basils and Salvia greggii are the colorful survivors in the 100-106 degree dry weather we have had.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Sunday, August 7, 2011

A Ray of Sunshine... Day 208

This started out being a picture to capture the flowerbed.  You can see what who dominated the picture. Isn't she great.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

California Summer Color... Bat Face Cuphea... Day 205

Bat Face Cuphea  'Cuphea llavea'

I love the Bat Face Cuphea.  I grew it in Texas. Considered a Plant for Texas. Here in the pot it makes a nice coupling with Scaveola.

Bat Face Cuphea up closer.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

California Summer Color... Candy Corn Abutilon... Day 204

I love the grouping of the Abutilon with the Scaveola, Yarrow, and Bat Face Cupea. Below I played with Picasa to focus on the Abutilon.

Candy Corn Abutilon "Abutilon megapotanicum varigata" 

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

California Summer Color... Lion's Tail Plant... Day 203

Lion's Tail great for dry gardening. Was excited to find it at the Fresno Zoo.  I loved it when I had it in my nursery.

Lion's Tail (Leonotis leonuris)

Monday, August 1, 2011

California Tree... Eucalyptus... Day 202

An Eucalyptus Tree, I had to move back far to get it all.  The word is huge.  In the background you see the next tree on here.  As you can tell the trunk one the on in the front is at least twice as big as the one in the back. Truth.
My son-in-law is over 6 ft..  I loved how the little on loved playing hide and seek around the tree.  I love the bark.  "Eucalyptus globulus" is the scientific name.  The history of the area says the older ones were planted in the 1880's