The Big Picture

Joni wanted to see a wide-shot of my front yard, filled with native California drought-tolerant plants.

But first, a close-up of one more flower, my Little Witch Iris, which was quite prolific last year. Pretty little iris!

And so, here is my yard this week.

And, just for kicks, here it is back in 2008, when I first planted it!'

It happened again again again!

Ok, so by now you are familiar with my leopard-print orchid plant.

BobBIE gave me the plant in June, 2010, while I recovered from surgery.  It bloomed again in February, 2011,  and then again last summer.

And guess what? I was not surprised but very thrilled that the plant is putting out more blossoms, and on two stems simultaneously this time!

I had been watching the one stem, which had looked like it had tiny buds on the end for a long time. I thought it would start developing that side. But then I noticed the other side was plumping, too. It turns out that the plant is putting most of its energy into this other stem.

January 21:

February 7:

February 25:

March 12:

And yesterday!

...And the other stem of the plant is about to open, too! These flowers are so much fun! And they last a good five months!  Yay!

And the best part is, every time I gaze at the beautiful flowers, I'm reminded of the important things in life. ❤ I'm so lucky!

Lucky!

I'm the luckiest woman alive!

I've been taking some hikes the past few weeks. Here are pictures from around the area.

A wasp gall on an oak branch. This was formed when a wasp laid eggs in the bark and the tree reacted by forming this burl. The larvae formed inside and came out those little holes.

Poison Hemlock. (not native) Sorry, Socrates.

 Coast Sunflower

Maidenhair fern

I think I was trying to shoot that hawk up there (just below the lowest branch on the left). Turned out to be a cool shot.

I'm lucky!

Lucky enough to spot an American Kestrel!

Anna's Hummingbird

An acacia tree

Egret

I'm sorry I don't remember what this beach plant is.

Verbena

Brown Pelicans

Ye Olde Gopher

Swans on Lake Los Carneros

So lucky!

Lupine

Shooting Star

Hummingbird Sage

Luck-yyyy!

Toyon

Knapp's Castle

Also Knapp's Castle

Indian Paintbrush

Prickly Phlox

Woodland Star

California Peony. I was lucky on this shot. I pointed my camera from underneath without seeing what I was shooting at!

Spring Has Sprung!

The official start of Spring is a week away, but in the last few weeks, my front yard has been bursting!

Bush Poppy

Rock Rose

Coast Sunflower (with purple sage)

Ceanothus Concha

Dancing Ember Sage (non-native, but one of my favorites, along with the Hummingbirds)

I can't remember what this plant is.

Whirly Blue Sage

Snow Flurry Ceanothus

Close-up of Snow Flurry Ceanothus

California Poppy!

And I added a few natives to the backyard:

Monkeyflower (genus Mimulus)

Another Monkeyflower

Dang; I can't remember what this is.