Wednesday, March 24, 2010

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 . . .


Friday, March 19, 2010

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

Friday, March 12, 2010

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 . . .