Waiting for the Potential Thunderstorm

Sitting here in the woods waiting for a potential thunderstorm tonight. Have already got a warning from the electric company to be prepared for outages and the heating and cooling system has notified us of increasing humidity. So I thought I would post a little bit of information on the current views in the garden.

The pond life is doing well, counted 12 frogs again today. The fun of counting frogs is trying to find them as they camouflage themselves among the rocks and plants. With the water lilies beginning to open and bloom they often find it great to hide beneath the lily pads. Some prefer sitting directly on them, better to catch the errant flying bug. Jumping to grab it, sometimes a foot or more. Then there is the one frog that has claimed the Fiber Optic grass as his frog king throne.

The water lilies are beautiful in their various colors. They bloom for a few days and gently close themselves up at night.

Living in the woods, as we do, means we appreciate the sun loving flowers. Our Stella D'oro day lilies are beautiful this year.

So as we wait for a storm to bring more rain and replenish the gardens we will enjoy the fact that the breeze has picked up; reducing the amount of evening mosquitoes.

King Frog waiting to jump onto his grassy throne

Sunny lilies

Water lilies in bloom

Pink water lilies

Collection of potted plants by pond.

Garden Glimpses

We have recently spent time mulching the gardens and removing the few weeds we get. Enjoying the new experiences of gardening with less sunlight. Previously we always had an abundance of sunlight so our plant choices were quite expansive.

Living in the woods has created a bit of a challenge for us. New plants are being tried every year. Slowly we are building a garden palette that is changing through out the growing seasons. Every year we see more variety in our garden and a development of favorite successes.

Here are a few photographs and clips from this year 's mid June blooms and changes.

Dianthus and Spiderwort

This variety of allium with it's blue stars is striking. We have ordered more for future planting in the fall.

This little side garden has accepted the dianthus well and Spiderwort has found its own way in. We will be moving the spiderwort away from the front edge in late August early September.

 

Just a short video of the garden pond and one of the many frogs who enjoy life there.

Progress on New Drawing

My most recent drawing is of the YMCA building in Muskegon. I have finished the pencil drawing and will begin to do the inking soon. So I thought I would post the it here.

Pencil drawing in preparation for inking of Muskegon YMCA building,

Crane Family

Went out to the State Park today to sit and watch the storm roll in. Lots of kite surfers on the big lake. Beautiful sunny sky split in two as the northern view was dark and moody. You could see the rain falling out on Lake Michigan. Watching the kite surfers as they flew across the water with the sun, then the darkness, and then sun again was mesmerizing

Just before the rain hit shore we left and cruised around to Snug Harbor. What a pleasant surprise. The Cranes were out enjoying a family picnic.

I slowly approached as close as I dared. I didn't want to alarm them with their young one.

Some cool facts about Sandhill Cranes

• • The Sandhill Crane’s call is a loud, rolling, trumpeting sound whose unique tone is a product of anatomy: Sandhill Cranes have long tracheas (windpipes) that coil into the sternum and help the sound develop a lower pitch and harmonics that add richness.
  • Sandhill Cranes are known for their dancing skills. Courting cranes stretch their wings, pump their heads, bow, and leap into the air in a graceful and energetic dance.
  • The elegance of cranes has inspired people in cultures all over the world—including the great scientist, conservationist, and nature writer Aldo Leopold, who wrote of their “nobility, won in the march of aeons.”
  • Although some start breeding at two years of age, Sandhill Cranes may reach the age of seven before breeding. They mate for life—which can mean two decades or more—and stay with their mates year-round. Juveniles stick close by their parents for 9 or 10 months after hatching.
  • The earliest Sandhill Crane fossil, estimated to be 2.5 million years old, was unearthed in the Macasphalt Shell Pit in Florida.
  • Sandhill Crane chicks can leave the nest within 8 hours of hatching, and are even capable of swimming.
  • The oldest Sandhill Crane on record was at least 36 years, 7 months old. Originally banded in Wyoming in 1973, it was found in New Mexico in 2010.

  
  We had a Japanese exchange student who explained that if you see a crane you can expect a good day as they bring you luck.
  
  It is now sunny, a truly lucky day!

Early Summer Garden

Our Pond , the Water Lilies are spreading their pads and we are watching for flower buds.

We have been having a series of alternating sunny and rainy days but pleasant growing temperatures. The wildlife activity is becoming n more noticeable. The birds are singing their lovely songs. New species seem to popping into the feeders. Flowers are beginning to bloom in our small gardens. Frogs are repopulating our pond. Early summer at it's best.

Fire pit viewed through Allium, Foxglove and Lilies

Deep Purple Iris first year blooms.

Foxglove one of our favorites

The front entry with the Rhododendron in bloom

 

Foxglove a favorite in the dark of the woods.

Rhododendron in bloom up close

Blooming Time

 I did finish the drawing of the Russell Block and will begin a new drawing soon. Have plans for more stain glass constructions so I should be busy for a while.

Russell Block  -  Unruly Brewery

Our plants are growing well. Sunshine, rain, and warmer days/nights are bringing us some beautiful blooms. I am including just a few photos for others to enjoy what we are enjoying. Still staying safe and secure in our little bit of paradise.

Our rhododendrons are exceptionally beautiful this year, last year they were very sparse. I believe it is the winter that effects the quality of the blooms. I will be watching this coming winter to see if this is true. Also, the columbine have suddenly appeared throughout the yard spaces. Birds planting seeds perhaps. The irises are also prolific in blooms.

The Allium we planted last year are doing terrific and the deer don't care for them. We have given up on tulips as they are eaten to the ground. Living in the woods has brought some definite gardening changes and limitations. We continue or battle of trying to live with nature successfully.

We even have a purple iris, I may have planted it but I don't remember doing so. Old age creeping in?
I will post them them they bloom.

Also I am including a few shorts of the amazing critters we enjoy watching. The Pileated Woodpecker  is one of our favorites. There are a couple of them. They announce their arrival enjoy the suet and then they fly off. Mr. Chippy is a riot to watch. He and his cohorts (the squirrels) clean the seed from the ground. One has learned to climb the pole to our new reconditioned feeder. This was my father's old squirrel proof feeder. I have repainted it a copper color. It is however not chipmunk proof. He does somersaults, dives and mid air twists to get to and from the seeds. Then slides down the pole like a fireman. occasionally he slides off the roof but lands safely on his feet. I will try to catch video of his actions for the sheer enjoyment of viewing it.

Still concerned about the virus and travel to close family only for small outdoor meetings. Practice social distancing, order groceries, visit grocery markets only at non peak times. Actually will turn around and come home it looks busy.  Stay safe!