Flora and Fauna Mid-Spring 2009

We had two massive butterfly migrations, Painted Ladies and Tiger Swallowtails both migrated thickly through our area this spring, so much so that it was hard to take even a short drive without lots of them getting squashed on the windshield. That part was a bummer, but it was so beautiful to have butterfly-filled skies for weeks. It just went on and on. I was only able to catch one up close, though.Another delightful spring experience was the particularly strong-scented orange blossoms we had this year. I wanted to keep the windows open all the time to enjoy it!Next come the glorious lilies.As much as I love my flowers I love snails too - such elegant spirals on their shells! Our weather has been very changeable - cold, warm, windy, rainy - quite a lot of variety!
I love how the greens of nature change in the varied weather and at various times of day - more or less light, but I can never capture quite what I want with the camera. Ah well, I'll keep trying. Knowing that mice are social creatures, we brought home two new friends for Hugin since her sister Munin died. Our new mice are Oreo and Milkshake. As you can see they have all accepted each other well. It's fun to see them snuggled up together. (I guess I'm not your typical woman. I like snails and mice.) Here is Oreo grooming her tail.
Though she has a tumor and is showing her age, Hugin remains active and continues to eat her favorite food - pumpkin seeds - very heartily.Oops - this is spring fauna for another post!!

Certain Slant of Light

Sunny Disposition

I noticed yesterday that my first calla lily of the year is blossoming. That always brings me joy! They are my favorite flower - the simple lines and purity - the classic spiral shape - just gorgeous! I feel very peaceful just looking at them.Given the cold and stormy weather conditions in much of the rest of the country I hadn't been posting pictures of our nice warm conditions - didn't want to pour salt in the wound, but when I said that to David last night, he said, "What do mean you're worried about making THEM feel bad?!" He's suffering from a bit of "snow envy" over here - well - more than a "bit," actually.Since my post yesterday was so serious and to some degree negative, I thought I'd put up a sunny, joyful post today (BUT will warn you there is more deep math-education discussion to come!! It IS serious and has to do with whether our future is going to be sunny and bright - metaphorically speaking.)I thought I should pull back for a shot of the palm tree behind the orange tree - this being California - albeit north-central California and not beach countryThe oranges are particularly tasty this year - good crop! Come visit and you can have one! :-)

In a Fog

Fog is my favorite weather. I couldn't resist getting outside and going for a walk in it.The white background makes such a nice canvas for color! I can't wait until our oranges are ready - any day now!Technically it is still autumn, at least for another week or so . . . . . . but the buds on this tree make it seem like spring already wants to make an appearance!I feel very cozy when walking in the fog.Can you find the sun in the picture below? (It is right in the center.)One last splash of color from this foggy day:

Hardest Hue to Hold

Poet Robert Frost once said that nature's first green is gold, but I'm finding nature's last green is gold too! For a few days I arrived home under a golden canopy. It was lovely! Sadly, as Frost tells us, nothing gold can stay.Going . . . . . . going . . . . . . gone. :-(Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

Robert Frost(1874-1963)

In My Yard (Summer 2008)