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Borrego Springs, CA

Monday, April 4, 2011

So what’s blooming this week?

The weather forecast for today was unsettled, so I stayed around the rig all day.  Emma and I did hike the Dees trail this morning to see if I could find some new blooms this week.

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I even knew what some of the flowers were, but not these two.  I looked in my local book, but couldn’t find either of them.  More research is necessary.

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I do know that these are candy roots.  The orange variety grows in moister soils than the yellow variety.

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The wet pine savannah is just bursting with pitcher plant blooms.

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Even Emma seemed to be enjoying the flowers.  (I really think she was catching some interesting smell on the stiff breezes.)

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There are several varieties of pitcher plants in this area, and I found a patch that had more white than yellow.  I even found one of the crimson plants the other day, but haven’t posted a picture of that yet.

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Along with pitcher plants and sun dews, this butterwort is also a carnivorous plant.  Insects are enticed to visit it’s star-like leaves, and then they’re caught!  They get stuck in the sticky coating of the leaves, and are digested by the plant.

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As I stopped at one of the numerous benches to enjoy the view of the bayou, I found this little guy joining me on the bench.  What a nice bit of camouflage this insect was sporting.  It looked just like a fleck of pine bark.

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After our walk, I tried to get some better pictures of the female ruby-throated hummingbird.  I was hoping for some morning sun on the feeder, but the skies remained overcast.  Without the rays of the sun, their sparkling green plumage just doesn’t show up.

 

Late this afternoon, as Emma and I were sitting outside, my mind went down memory lane.  Funny how that happens.  I was reliving growing up in Chicago.  Mostly they were good memories.  I tend not to dwell on the bad stuff.  It got me to realizing that I’ll be spending the summer within about 75 miles of where I grew up.  I’m thinking maybe I’ll make a little pilgrimage to see the old neighborhood while I’m in Indiana.  Thought I might take a drive past the house I grew up in, and maybe visit my old high school.  I’m still a member of the alumni association.  I wonder if Ackerman’s Bakery is still there and Frank’s Pizza.  Thinking about both of those places just makes me drool!  Smile

 

Well, the weather this evening is definitely deteriorating, so I’ve packed away my rocker and pulled in the awnings.  I’ll be listening to the weather radio once again, and am prepared to head for a more stable structure.  Ah, yes, spring is here!

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                                    I leave you with tonight’s titmouse trilogy…

 

Thanks for stopping by…. talk to you later,  Judy  

18 comments:

  1. Beautiful flower pictures. That little bug looks just like a "stink bug". The east coast is having many problems with them.

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  2. Loved the flowers, and also enjoyed your thoughts about revisiting old memories.

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  3. The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now....:))

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  4. Beautiful flowers & pics! It's always nice to take a walk down memory lane. Stay safe.

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  5. I used to walk around with bird books in hand, as well as flowers and trees of the Smokies. I learned all those names but haven't thought about them in so long I wouldn't remember a one! I guess "use it or lose it" could apply here.

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  6. nice flower and bird shots once again Judy!..thanks for the lesson!!..stay safe..hope the storm blows over quickly!!!

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  7. What neighborhood in Chicago? North or Southside? Some of the neighborhoods on the Southside from my childhood have a lot of burned out, boarded up buildings now.

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  8. I'm so jealous of the Titmice...I want them at my feeders!

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  9. Your flower pictures are almost as incredible as your bird pictures. I am so enjoying your posts and learning all this new stuff. I hope you do visit the old neighborhood and take us along with you.

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  10. Great pics again, what can I say!!

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  11. Welcome to stink bug country! They seem to be impossible to get rid of. So far, they are not in the Phoenix area. LOVE the first Titmouse picture!

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  12. Looks like you and Emma had a great day, We look forward to meeting you guys later in the year. Let us know if you will be coming east on I-70 to Illinois. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna...

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  13. I think that lavender flower is wild flox, but not sure. Your pictures look like you could not only pick the flowers, but also smell them right through the screen. We are having storms too.

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  14. Hi,
    What beautiful pictures Judy!
    I enjoyed them sooooo much!

    God Bless and Travel Safe!
    Miss Lila in Atlanta

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  15. I like your hummingbird picture, as well as the titmouse trilogy and the blooming flowers.

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  16. I am definitely going to work on my bird picture taking skills! Great pictures!

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  17. I love you bird and flower photos!
    I've never seen a pitcher plant bloom, superb!

    Don't you just love those big eyes on a Titmouse, they're adorable!

    Hey, the female Ruby throat has a pink band! Very cool!

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