Optical Illusion: Wooly Mammoth

Wooly Mammoth Beachside Illusion

Rodeo Beach - Marin Headlands - California

March 27, 2010

by Dawn NicDarrah

What gives the illusion of appearing as a wooly mammoth is actually a outcropping of rocks covered in seaweed . . . kind of reminds me of Mr. Snuffleupagus!

From the Garden: New Strawberry

New Strawberry

Sonoma County, California

March 2010

by Dawn NicDarrah

Wayside Weeds: Vetch

Vetch

Sonoma County, California

March, 2010

by Dawn NicDarrah

Wayside Weeds: Wild Radish

Wild Radish Flower, White with Purple VeinsSonoma County
March, 2010
by Dawn NicDarrah

Wild Radish also comes with purple flowers as shown here . . .

. . . and due to the cross pollination with mustard we can also find yellow (as shown in the photo with the honey bee) and shown here with the yellow centers and reddish tips on the petals.

Regardless of what color flowers they display, they all produce these lovely little gems for seed pods.

Wayside Weed: Mustard

Mustard Flowers

Sonoma County, California

March 2010

by Dawn NicDarrah

Following the honey bee on a yellow wild radish flower photo, thought to share a photo of the mustard flowers that are often found growing along side the wild radish helping to facilitate the cross pollination and changes in the color of the wild radish flowers.

Wayside Wanderer & Weed: Honey Bee and Wild Radish

Honey Bee on Wild Radish Flower

Sonoma County, California

March 2010

by Dawn NicDarrah

From what I have read regarding the wild radish, these flowers are yellow because of cross pollination with mustard . . . looks like the honey bee has helped this evolution along. Wild Radish flowers are typically white with purple veins or white centers with purple tips on the petals.

Waxing Moon: March 27, 2010

Waxing Moon - March 27, 2010

Marin Headlands

by Dawn NicDarrah

This lovely waxing moon was framed so nicely by the wild and weedy roadside plants while we sat and waited for the 5 minute stoplight at the one lane tunnel, thought to share even though it's not quite full yet. Enjoy!

Druid’s Pouch: Mistletoe

Mistletoe BerriesSonoma County, California
March 2010
by Dawn NicDarrah

There is mistletoe aplenty in Sonoma County . . . most often growing on oaks, but this lovely display was found in a cherry tree . . . seemed most fitting for the time of the year with maiden flowers unfurling and this robust mistletoe just bursting with its white berry seeds . . .

Wayside Weeds: Red Stem Filaree Fruits

Red Stem Filaree Fruits

Sonoma County, California

March 2010

by Dawn NicDarrah

I believe these are also known as 'Storks Bills' . . . my most favorite thing about these 'fruits' are how they twist up into tight cork-screw spirals so that they can bore their way into soil once free. I'll be on the look out for the next phase to take photos of and share here . . .

Solitary Bee

Solitary Bee

Sonoma County, California

March 24, 2010

by Dawn NicDarrah

Today was a garden day . . . the only time I feel happy with the aches because I know I did a good job working my bottom off in the garden. Most of the weeds have been pulled . . . things that did not survive the winter have been recycled or removed . . . and a whole mess of rearranging followed. Tomorrow we might even pull out the hammock . . . provided that is the rain stops falling that started soon after night fall this evening. I took a lot of photos today too . . . including the photos here of a solitary bee . . . there were honey bees and bumble bees as well, but this little bee was so patient at her work that I was actually able to take a photo with my finger up close to her to give scale while she continued working. Thought I would share these tonight and more tomorrow. Enjoy the peacefulness this little loner offers . . .

Wayside Wanderer: Black Ladybird Beetle

Black Ladybird Beetle

Sonoma County, California

March 19th, 2010

by Dawn NicDarrah

Wayside Wanderer: Beetle Laying Eggs

Beetle Laying Eggs

Sonoma County, California

March 2010

by Dawn NicDarrah

From The Garden: French Lilac Budding

French Lilac Buds

Sonoma County, California

March 2010

by Dawn NicDarrah

Wayside Weeds: Filaree

Filaree Flower & Leaf

Sonoma County, California

March 2010

by Dawn NicDarrah

Wayside Weeds: Common Groundsel - Senecio Vulgaris

Common Groundsel - Senecio Vulgaris

Sonoma County, California

March 2010

by Dawn NicDarrah

Wayside Weeds: Fiddleneck

Fiddleneck

Sonoma County, California

March 10, 2010

by Dawn NicDarrah

These dainty but dangerous (dangerous in that they have surprising tiny little prickers that hurt like heck) little weeds grow along the away to my daughter’s school . . . every morning and every afternoon we stop to check out the progress of the wayside plants filling in the once bare places of winter. After taking a series of photos in our back yard, welcoming back many of your beloved plants, I realized we should be paying attention to the so called 'weeds' as well. Not all weeds are without merit . . . in fact many have benefits to share if anyone is willing to look and research . . . so I decided to include a few here to encourage research . . .

Dixie Cups & Acorns

Valley Oak Acorn Sprouting

Sonoma County, California

March 8, 2010

by Dawn NicDarrah

. . . all I need now are Dandelions . . . Dandelions and Dixie Cups remind me of my childhood when my Grandfather was alive . . . I used to collect Dandelions and place them Dixie cups, leaving them on my Grandfather's dresser so they would be there to greet him when he woke up. That is one memory I will never forget . . .

Every year, my daughter's and I like to collect acorns and do our best to sprout and grown them . . . some we plant in locations where they are most likely to thrive while others we continue to nurture at home. We have nearly a dozen saplings from two years ago growing in various planters inside and outside of the house. This past autumn we collected three varieties of acorns . . . Valley Oak, Interior Oak and one that I believe is a Red Oak. The eldest daughter has moved on to other interests so the youngest and I are the only ones left encouraging the acorns to grow into mighty oaks. Above is our first successfully sprouted acorn of the 2009~2010 cycle.

From The Garden: Rosemary

Rosemary Blooms

Sonoma County, California

March 8, 2010

by Dawn NicDarrah

From The Garden: Grapevine

Grape Leaf Sprouting

Sonoma County, California

March 8, 2010

by Dawn NicDarrah

From The Garden: Succulent

Succulent

Sonoma County, California

March 8, 2010

by Dawn NicDarrah

In The Garden Of Renewal

Common Lilac ~ New LeavesSonoma County, California
March 8, 2010
by Dawn NicDarrah

We have seen the obvious signs of spring returning . . . the hybrid cherry tree street-side in front of our house was the first on the block to bloom . . . our youngest daughter attributes this to the magical presence of the 'others' ::grin:: (faery for those unsure of who the 'other's' are)

We have been starting seedlings indoors for our tiny back yard garden . . . looking to plant more flowers this year to attract the bees and keep them happy since the jasmine, roses and lavender didn't seem like enough last year (along with all the flowers of the fruit giving plants that we tried to grow as well) . . . and as usual we have planted some acorns to nurture into mighty oaks (I'll post a photo soon of one the acorns sprouting) . . . I have been keeping a watchful eye over the plants to see which ones have made it through the cold winter. I remain hopeful for my favorite English Lavender which was hard hit by the cold . . . as well as the apple tree . . . but I am thrilled to announce that the grapes are coming back (a few leaves sprouted today) along with the Japanese Maples. A flurry of young trees intended for bonsai workings are sending out tiny leaves and the Rosemary is blooming beautifully. But it my blessed Lilacs that made me smile wide today!

I cannot recall my first encounter with a Lilac (where, when, how old I was) . . . but I know I have loved them all my life and I have always wanted to grow my own. They grew outside my room in a house I rented in Oakland (but the landlords were obsessed and used garden care as an excuse to be present around the house - trimming shrubs and trees to the point of killing them – including my lovely lilac) and then there was the lilac at the house in Boyes Hot Springs . . . a neighbor had planted it in their yard but the spot lacked sun so the plant worked its way under the fence and grew on my side. Well last year I finally got two young lilac plants . . . after 8 years of living on the river in the shade of the redwoods and unable to grow anything (virtually - at least not the herbs, vegetable, fruit and flowers I was interested in growing – mold grew nicely though) I was so thrilled to be in a location with SUN. The sale on lilacs only spurred me on ::grin::

Our citrus trees are looking a bit worn from this winter even though I covered them for protection (I have had them at this house for almost 6 years since my in-laws lived here and let us grow a few things while we lived in shadows) . . . the grapevines looked winter worn as well . . . anything bare had me biting my lip, hoping they would show signs of surviving the longer than usual freeze of this past winter.

I don't think I was holding my breath each time I walked around the back yard looking for signs of life . . . but suddenly I feel as if I am breathing easier. I am thrilled that the lilacs are healthy and putting forth leaves and I look forward to watching the rest of the garden unfurl. All the little buds speak of this being a time of renewal and today I can feel it . . . even though the clouds are rolling in with sporadic showers and hauling in another cold front in its wake . . .

Soon enough there will be lilac blooms scenting the warming air just outside my window, mingling with the scent of the jasmine, lavender and roses . . .

Faery Mounds & Spring Fever: Abundant With Life

Spring Lake beckoned us this weekend . . . instead of a walk around the waters edge we visited a favorite picnic and play area . . . a mound speckled with boulders, Interior Oak trees and Buckeye trees . . . with a sprinkling of magic . . . we call it the Faery Mound because it feels so alive and otherworldly . . . we have made a game of keeping from touching the ground by exploring the area only by stepping and climbing on stones and trees . . . and we pay close attention to the details of change in this lovely little woodland . . .

Faery Mound ~ Spring Lake

Sonoma County, California

March 7, 2010

by Dawn NicDarrah

***

Another reason we call it the Faery Mound is due to the numerous entry-ways into the mound. Below are a few examples:

Into The Mound #1

Spring Lake

Sonoma County, California

March 7, 2010

by Dawn NicDarrah

Into The Mound #2
Spring Lake
Sonoma County, California
March 7, 2010
by Dawn NicDarrah

Into the Mound #3

Spring Lake

Sonoma County, California

March 7, 2010

by Dawn NicDarrah

***

And the trees have a life all their own . . .

Like this one that looks like a young woman writhing with passion:

Spring FeverSpring Lake
Sonoma County, California
March 7, 2010
by Dawn NicDarrah

. . . and some things flow together more obviously than others . . .

Union ~ Tree & Stone Join

Spring Lake

Sonoma County, California

March 7, 2010

by Dawn NicDarrah

Shadow Friend Raven

Headlands Bluffs, Marin County California

October 11, 2008

by Dawn NicDarrah

Camera action has been minimal over the past week . . . between the rain and this lingering cold I have been satisfied staying warm indoors as much as possible. It has given me opportunity to do some more shadow work. Not sure how much of it I wish to share here, but figured it wouldn't hurt posting my Shadow Friend for inspiration.

There is a photo I wish I had . . . of a stone fireplace in a cabin I once visited some twenty odd years ago. Why it is still with me I am trying to understand as I had only been to the place once, but clearly this fireplace made an impression. The other question is 'why is it coming up now?' Considering who brought me there might be part of the key . . . but there is also the fact that this was the first fireplace I had encountered that was not your average brick cookie-cutter fireplace. It was hand crafted by this fellow and his family . . . from stones found on the property . . . and part of the design feature were randomly placed flat stones that served to display these antique medicine bottles that were also found on the property. It was unique . . . and it was made with considerable care and attention to detail as well as recycling natural resources (the stones AND bottles apparently came from the hole of an antique 'outhouse' - bless nature for running her course and tidying up) There is the obvious symbolism of the fireplace, hearth, being the heart of the home . . . this fireplace certainly had a lot of heart. It was the focal point.

I wrote to the one person who would recall this place - thought I would check my facts to see if they were accurate and apparently they were, however I also received the news that the fellow who helped build the fireplace, the one I was associating it with who was a friend of the one person who I could ask about it, I was told he had been killed in an accident, but that his wife and children had survived . . . most likely due to his skill and desire to protect his family . . . he sacrificed himself. This news (18 years have passed now, but it is new to me) is sitting very heavy with me . . . for the loss of one who was so young at the time, for his young family and for our mutual friend who I approached with the questions about the fireplace and it's location.

What started out as a simple dream in which I just seemed to be studying the details of this fireplace, has now become somehow more entangled and riddled with meanings I could not possibly have unearthed had I not asked outside of myself about it. I need to sit with it longer . . . really understand how it relates to the now . . . if the now is what the dream is referring to . . . or if it is the retrieval of yet another shadow being brought to light. I feel it is more of the latter at this point, but will stay observant to see where this line of processing takes me.