My pansies are happy where I planted them. Even the deadheaded blossoms that I toss into the birdbath appear pleased.
My pansies are happy where I planted them. Even the deadheaded blossoms that I toss into the birdbath appear pleased.
My first excursion with the Sierra Light Photography Meetup was…well…venturesome. To recap from the last newsletter issue, this is a new Meetup Group for “anyone who has a desire to learn more about their camera and search for beautiful landscape images to capture with like-minded photographers of all levels.”
Five of us carpooled from Jackson. I sat in the front passenger seat to minimize car sickness. Halfway to Winnemucca Lake, the driver ahead of us pulled into the slow lane and then sped up when we passed. Our driver wanted a little victory and met the challenge. Watching the car beside me, the tires traveled so fast each seemed to spin the wrong way. I’m guessing 90 – 100 mph.
The moment I said a silent prayer, our driver backed off.
Then, in the middle of town, he floored the accelerator, crossed the double line, and leaned around me to send a dirty look toward the other driver.
Fortunately, he didn’t pursue us.
Eight more photographers joined us at the Winnemucca parking lot; friendly folks with classy lenses and tripods. My little point-and-shoot camera looked like a plastic toy. We left on foot for the lake, for that perfect landscape, and instructional tips from our leader.
Four miles in, I never saw them again.
I stayed behind with two others whose knees couldn’t endure further hiking. Excuse welcomed. My lungs couldn’t handle the altitude. So we headed back. There were plenty of August wildflowers and green vegetation on the trail. But most were off the path, across the creek, or along a steep hillside, too far to capture with my restricted lens.
I did manage to maneuver behind a redwood where a huge mushroom grew beneath a beautiful red flower that I have not been able to identify.
Alongside the rocky trail were Fireweed (left) and Aster.
The gentleman who stayed behind shared his lunch, and before giving me a ride back to my car in Jackson, I left a note on the other driver’s windshield.
Will I go to another Sierra Light Photography Meetup?
Yes. In my own car.
At my own pace.
Will I have a pro camera and lens?
Sigh.
A lot happened after the last post from guest writer Heidi Gaul. Those challenging times are over, I hope. Since I am practicing “no complaining” I’ll share the upside of gardening during the past weeks.
When I visited a dear friend in Shenandoah Valley, I took three photographs. Usually, when I’m in a beautiful garden, like my friend’s, I can’t stop taking pictures. But we don’t see each other often and she is such a lovely person, that I wanted to spend the short visit with her.
During the past weeks, I managed to stop in at the local garden center, twice, at Lowes. The first time, I didn’t buy anything, but found their large selection of succulents impressive.
The second time at Lowes, I bought a flat of annual vinca.
The flowerbed is small, and has a split personality. Plants love the north half of the bed, but not the south half. Even though I amended the soil, studied the water intake and sun exposure, I lost six or eight vincas. Those remaining are much smaller than the ones in the photo, planted on the north half. I can’t figure out the problem. But I know from past experiences, I’ll find plants that will thrive throughout the flowerbed.
Everything works out, eventually, even in the garden.
One of the best blogging days is when I get to wish all the wonderful Moms around the world
a
Happy Mother’s Day.
Touring gardens is a great way to discover what you don’t like and what you want to implement in your own yard. Here’s a garden that I recently visited.
Twilight Zone Grandiflora
Chicago Peace Hybrid Tea
Rain was expected through Friday evening, and since I didn’t have the proper material I placed a patio furniture cover over my peony plant. There were over a dozen buds and three blossoms. Too much downpour can cause developing buds to wilt and die, which happened last year.
Peonies are my favorite flower. Waiting and watching the tiny buds mature into stunning saucer-size ruffles is like anticipating a beautiful flower delivery. But keeping my peony under cover too long was a concern. Plants need light and sun, and circulation.
Saturday, it rained all day and into the night. I stood on the front porch and listened to droplets settle on black plastic, concrete, and surrounding plant life. It was a welcome sound in California where the drought is grim. Everything was wet. Water ran from the downspouts. Cottontails, robins, blue jays and doves were tucked out of sight like my peony.
I decided I would uncover the plant on Sunday, even if it was raining. In the morning, I looked outside into the early faint light. The earth was soaked, but the sky had stopped crying.
Gently, I lifted the black plastic and squealed for Iron Man, who was nearby, to come quickly.
Many of the buds had bloomed beneath the warm cozy cover. Layers of bright white ruffles looked up at us unharmed.
It was one of those moments when you’re a young girl again and the doorbell rings. You answer and no one’s there, but below is a beautiful bouquet of flowers addressed to you. Just for you.
A few years ago, I bought one or two Chrysanthemum paludosum. Now I have tenfold. Chrysanthemums are self-sowers, and each year I look forward to a new crop, late winter – early summer. Last year I decided it would be pretty to have a solid mass growing around the oak tree. (Chrysanthemums are drought tolerant, therefore compatible to the oak.)
When it was time to remove the 12-18-inch annuals, I simply shook the uprooted plants wherever I wanted them to germinate. I actually heard the seeds falling to the ground like wooden rain sticks.
When this year’s crop dries up, I plan to do the same. What fun, and how beautiful it will be to have a solid mass of Chrysanthemums circling the entire oak tree!
Growing Tips:
USDA Zone 9a – 11
Deer resistant
Great fillers for garden beds, containers, and baskets and as borders
Sun Exposure:
Sun to Partial Shade
Bloom Time Depends on Zone and Microclimate:
Late Spring – Early Summer
Mid Summer
Late Summer – Early Fall
Mid Fall
“Out of each wintry season
it happens again and again.
That yellow mustardy growth,
a photographer’s gold,
signals sunny days ahead
over hills and fields and country roads.
—
A smidgen before spring
it happens again and again.
Wild and free producing yields,
that warmth, that sunny glow
paints the earth mustardy yellow
where fallow grasses grow.” –016 DMA
For a fun read on Mustard history and more, check out Eat the Weeds