It is disappearing much...

...too quickly. Summer that is, and I think I said that same thing about Spring. But, at least my days are very full of wonderful adventures and visits from family and friends.
I have stolen a few quiet moments for myself, to photograph more of New York State's many Orchids. On Sunday my husband and I drove to Ferd's Bog in the Adirondack Mountains. It is an amazing quaking bog, with a board walk that actually floats on the bog. This keeps people from trampling the flora. Sundew, Pitcher Plant, Bog Herbs and many Grasses can be found Spring through Autumn. The walk into the bog is about 3/10th of a mile through a woods filled with Ferns, Mosses, Lichens, Fungus and many Wildflowers.
I try to go there several times each season, as there are always many wonderful surprises awaiting this avid photographer. On Sunday Calopogon pulchella (Grass-Pink) and Habenaria blepharigottis (White Fringed Orchis) were both blooming.
Our Grandchildren have been visiting with us for the past 5 days and its been a busy time, playing with them. But, alas somebody's has to do it. Certainly glad that it has been me....

The deer that sleep...

...in our meadow, that forage on our lawn, that bring new born fawns to frolic in our meadow, are welcome, now. Now, that they sleep, eat and play within our yard and not in our gardens, especially the eat part. The Repels All Spray and Granules that I have been using since March are really working and thus the deer are now really beloved. So far the Repels All is also keeping the ground hog, and various bugs from devouring our plants too.
I began my new position on Staff at a local Outdoor Educational Center and now I'm trying to maintain balance in my life. I've been "Retired" for several years and now I'm re-learning that juggling act of keeping all parts of my life in sync.
I want to share some of the garden, through my photos. It is such a joy to see Hostas, Sedum and other plants that are growing, thriving and lovely. I am not including names, common or botanical, because I don't want to look through my files for correct identification tonight. But, will upon request.
Next blog I want to share a magnificent new gardening tool, which I just purchased. I weeded 3 large and 1 small gardens today within an hour, using this incredible tool. Talk soon.

The amazing Ladies of the Bog...

...are back, and as lovely as always. The ladies are Cypripedium reginae, Showy Lady's Slipper Orchids. They are the largest and most beautiful of the wild orchids of New York State.
When I first moved to the Adirondack area, several new friends asked if I had ever photographed the Showy Lady's Slipper. I had not and asked where I might find them. Several friends showed me areas, where they might be found. And a few more friends helped me search for them. It was well into June and we had not found them. I was extremely disappointed and for a while thought they might not really exist, they might be like the elusive Snipe.
The Friday before Father's Day, quite discouraged, I stopped at our Post Office. The Postal Clerk asked why I was so glum. To the answer, she smiled and said, there are hundreds on our property. She gave me directions and permission to photograph to my heart's content. Which I did then, and continue to so every year, along with about 200 or 300 hundred other happy photographers from all over New York State.

What a difference a day...

...makes, and what difference a week makes. I "retired" a few years ago, but volunteer at an Art Museum, as a docent, doing tours for elementary school children. My business as a Nature Photographer keeps me fairly busy, and I am a member of an Artist Co-op in Old Forge, New York. As a member we share time working at the shop. However, this past week was very serendipitous, and one exciting event after another kept occurring.
I learned about and became a staff member of a fairly new Nature Center, and will possibly be doing some field guides, using my photos. The Nature Center does tours for elementary school children. Hiking, Mountain Biking, Cross Country Skiing and Snow Shoeing are just a few of the exciting things offered at the Center.
Life is good... and exciting and fun and I am very, very grateful.

Long awaited Spring...

...is almost a memory. In just ten days it will be Summer. Here in the North Country, The Adirondacks of New York State, it looks like the song from Carousel, "June Is Bustin' Out All Over". It is very lush and green and leaves are on all the trees. The Ginkgo was a little late in leafing out but, it is quite lovely now. My Poppies are poppin' and the Iris are bloomin' and every plant is growing tall, full and vigorous. I am so blessed that this year the gardens are full of so many plants. The deer are avoiding the gardens and so far, so is the ground hog. I saw the ground hog yesterday. When our Grandson and Nephew come up for a visit, I will have them help me try to fill the hole that is nearest the house. I guess I better do some research and see what works best, to relocate its home enterance. Any comments would be appreciated. The Repel's All Spray seem to be detering them for now.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterflies are in and around the gardens, as are some species of bees. I have been seeing many species of spiders also. The Pointed Blue Eyed grass is blooming and attracting many bees, as you can see in the photo.
I have been on several day trips with my docent friends this past week. I volunteer, as a docent at a local Art Museum. I am including a self portrait, taken on our trip yesterday to the Albright-Knox Museum in Buffalo, New York. It was a wonderful bus trip to see an Exhibit of Abstract Artists which included Pollack, DeKooning, Still, Krassner, Motherwell and many more.

I began blogging...

... because I wanted to share with other gardeners, the trials and tribulations of gardening, and dealing with the "deerbeloved". I do love the deer and try to live peacefully with them. It is much easier now that I have finally found a solution to the problem, of the deer eating everything that I plant. I don't even consider vegetable gardens, because in addition to the Deer we reside with Rabbits, Ground Hogs, Skunks, Fox, Weasel, Squirrels (red, gray & black), Chipmonks, Opossum, Bear, Coyotes, Turkey and Porcupine. I love growing prennial plants, and to avoid needless disappointment, I try to plant, plants that most animals find unappetizing. For example Foxglove, Monkshood, Bear's Breeches, Alliums, and Herbs. Things that are poisonous, fuzzy, gray-green or prickly, are usually unappetizing. In addition to plant choices, I also use an amazing spray and granules called Repel's All. These things are working!!!! Last year I actually enjoyed Hosta and Day Lilies throughout their entire growing season.
I began animal proofing the gardens early this year. In March before the snow was gone from the gardens, I applied Repel's All granules to each garden. In April when spouts appeared, I sprayed them with Repel's All spray. As each plant grew, I reapplied spray to the new growth.
And....it is working even better than last year. Plants that I planted many years ago, that spouted and started growing but, were eaten before blooming...are now BLOOMING!!!
Plants that I almost forgot about...are now BLOOMING!!! There are 9 different species of Aquilegia, (Columbines) growing and blooming in the woodland shade garden. And many more plants that were also digested, before any enjoyment from this gardener.
I am so grateful to be able to live peacefully with the local fauna and truly enjoy the beauty of each prennial garden.

A few of the best plants...

that I never planted. The rock garden is above a wonderful rock wall which is now a garden itself. Within the nooks and crannies of the wall, many sedums and alpine plants now reside.
When we were in Italy, last May, we visited several fortified medieval cities, among them San Marino and Assisi. Those walls contained wonderful alpine plants, which I found fascinating.
Two of the many plants that are now residing within my garden walls are Papaver alpinum, Alpine Poppy and Corydalis lutea. (sorry but I don't know the common name of the Corydalis) The "parent plant" of the Corydalis is in the rock garden above the wall, and has provided seed for a least 6 of the "wall plants". The "parent plant" of the Poppy is gone now but its seed produced the wonderful specimen now growing within the wall. Sometimes the most delightful plants are those that plant themselves.

Many new arrivals...

...create lots of photo opportunities. Today was a "play day" shared with my friend Diane. We left home early to allow us lots of time for exploring. Our destination was Cooperstown, New York and a visit to the Fenimore Art Museum, which is where James Fenimore Cooper, the novelist grew up. The collection is an outstanding one which includes paintings by Thomas Cole, Gilbert Stuart, Benjamin West, Eastman Johnson, Grandma Moses and many other American Artists. It is always a favorite "play day" adventure. Lunch on the shore of Otesego Lake at the Blue Mingo, was as usual, a gourmet delight. We both enjoyed a Salmon and Corn Chowder, followed by Lobster Salad Sandwich and dessert of Key Lime Custard.
After driving only a short distance, we noticed a family of Canada Geese on the banks of the West Canada Creek, which included a Male, a Female and nine Goslings. Then we stopped by a favorite water fall, on the Little Black River. The rain the day before, made the falls even more spectacular. Another family of fowl was spotted at the falls, a Female Ruffed Grouse and four chicks.
One adventure after another completed a magnificent "play day" of flora, fauna and fun.

Memorial weekend flew...

...by so quickly. Lots of work, lots of play and tender, yet sad memories.
We lost a courageous young soldier, who was a member of our parish, a few weeks ago. Blaise lost his life in Iran, fighting for ideals which he strongly believed in, and will greatly missed by all members of our community.
It was also a weekend to remember those community members and family members who fought and died or fought and lived, for freedoms we all enjoy.

It was a weekend to go to "The Sand Plains in Rome, New York" to photograph the wild blue Lupine. The sand plains are, one of a few inland Pine barrens, left in the Northeast. The threatened frosted elfin butterfly which feeds on the Lupine can also be found there.

We also had time to go kayaking in the Mountains, another one of my passions. My husband and I have been kayaking for many years. We each have an Old Town Loon kayak. My husband's kayak is 17'5" and weighs about 60 pounds. Mine is 11' 1" and weighs about 35 pounds. The one thing we enjoy most about kayaking is we play on the same team but, different positions. My husband enjoys exploring while kayaking and I prefer to photograph and spend lots of time in one area. However, we always start and end our journey together.

Ring around the rosies...

...a pocket full of posies. I have always loved that poem, and the little dance that we did, as we sang it. Last week a friend gave me a very special gift, a real pocket full of posies. She purchased the "pocketbook" which is covered with moss, and added the posies. The sweet little bluish purple pansies couldn't be prettier.
The gardens are becoming very lush. The rains and now warmer weather has everything growing, almost before my eyes. Fortunately this year I have been able to keep up with the weeding. I even started a compost bin. In the past I didn't bother doing one for fear the bears and other critters would just disturb it, but so far they haven't. In addition to clippings, weeds and pruned items I have also added fruit peels, coffee grounds, and veggies leftovers. However, it will probably be several years before good compost is available.
Happy gardening...

If you don't like the weather...

...just wait a few hours. Last night the temperatures hovered around 20 degrees. Yes, we got a frost. Knowing that this was a probable, I covered the four zone 7, ornamental grasses that I dared to plant early. They are really annuals for this area, as we are in zone 4. In the fall I plan to remove them from the garden and winter them over in the house. They are worth the trouble, as they are really lovely. Two are Cymbopogon citratus, Lemon Grass and two are Pennisetum setaceum 'Fireworks'. They are not very special to look at now, the Lemon Grass is just a wide blade yellow green grass, but in the late summer and early autumn it will obtain greater height and hues of red, orange and gold. Fireworks true to her name will blast into reds, deep greens and golds. Photos will be more impressive later in the season. And true to form the weather changed and it was in the 70's today. We had an early evening visitor last night. I remove the suet, seed feeders and peanuts every night because I don't want to attract nocturnal visitors. Bears, raccoon, skunks etc. will seek out free meals that I would rather save for the birds, especially since the latter don't eat like birds.

Yesterday was a most...

...unusual day. It rained off and on all day. I truly wanted to accomplish some gardening tasks, but each time the rain stopped and I assembled my gardening tools...the rain returned. Finally I decided to just stop trying and do sometime else. Then the sun came out. So, instead of gardening I grabbed my camera and went in search of photo opportunities. It didn't take long to find a few fun and funny things to photograph.

This little Chickadee seemed to be having a really Bad Hair Day. Actually it had been bathing in a shallow stream of water and was trying to groom itself when I found this photo op.
I continued photographing for about an hour and then returned home. On the balcony I observed a gray squirrel on the "Squirrel Proof Feeder". When I approached him he climbed down and gave me a look that seemed to say...

...Why are you looking at me? I didn't do anything, it wasn't me on the Bird Feeder, it must have been someone that resembled me. You can't prove a thing, I"m innocent, you believe me don't you?

A Wonderful day of...

...discovering. I have a passion for photography. The last few weeks it seems as soon as my feet hit the floor in the morning, I am off and running. But, today I had most of the day to myself. There is nothing I enjoy more than to just take my camera and go looking for whatever, is waiting to be "discovered" and photographed.
First I "discovered" that the Jacks are back. Both the green and brown. I like to turn up the flaplike spathe and photograph "Jack" the club like spadix.
Next among the Euphorbia esula, Leafy Spurge I found several Red Ants, Formica exsectoides. They are rusty red on the head and thorax and blackish brown on the legs and abdomen. Worker often stay near aphids or transport them to collect their "honeydew". Honeydew is a saplike liquid which the aphids secrete.
Next I found Morel mushrooms in several places, where I have not found them before. They are edible and if I find enough, I will pick them and cook them. A local grocery store sells Morels at $99.00 a pound. They are a very valuable "discovery". The question is do I like photographing them or eating them? Both!!!

The month of May...

...is my very favorite month. I want to be outside every possible minute. The sounds, sights and smells are all so fresh and wonderful. Baltimore orioles, Scarlet Tanagers, Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds and Warblers have all returned. The meadow and wood are a cacophony of bird melodies. The gardens seem to be growing so quickly that, the growth can be heard. The sweet smells of flowering trees, woodland treasures and gardens fill each breathe I take.
Discovery everywhere...each morning some new leaf or bud...eggs in the nest in the blue bird house...peepers and other frogs, a chorus nightly...insects...bee buzzing in and around each garden, shrub and tree...butterflies, dragonflies, moths.
I recall the words in a song from the Musical Carousel. "April cried and stepped aside and along came pretty little May. May was full of promises but, she didn't keep them quick enough for some". Well, she keeps them quick enough for me. And she always keeps her promises.

I'm back...

...and couldn't believe that so many days had just disappeared, since I last posted. The gardens have been taking up a lot of time. I don't do as much work in the Autumn putting them to bed, because I generally leave as much as possible, seed etc. for the birds and small mammals to feed on. But, that means a lot of clean up in the Spring. I also leave a lot of leaves for mulch. The leaves need to be raked and deposited into compost bins, and I try to have it done before the black flies emerge. For some reason Black Flies find me a "banquet". My husband is seldom bothered by them and a dear friend who helps me garden isn't bothered by them either. I wear a "bug shirt" and straw hat and gloves but, occasionally they find a spot and chew.
The Rose Breasted Grosbeak male and female have returned and also the male Ruby Throated Hummingbirds. Still haven't seen the Baltimore orioles, but they should be here soon. They always appear when the Ornamental Crab Apple blooms.
I was going to post last night but, we got a major storm and loss power for 11 hours. No power, No computer. Thank you for your caring comments.

Trilliums are blooming...

...in the woods. These amazing flowers are now decorating our woods and are such a welcomed sight. We are fortunate to have three different species in our woods, Trillium grandiflorum (White Trillium), Trillium erectum (Red Trillium aka Wake Robin) and Trillium undulatum (Painted Trillium). I have been told that thousands of Trillium used to grow in the woods near our house and when they bloomed the woods looked like they had floral carpets. However their beauty seemed to be the cause of their demise. People couldn't just look, they wanted to take them home and enjoy them too. But, when the Trillium are picked, the leaves and bloom which are all on one stem, leave nothing behind to create a new plant for the next Spring. So, once picked, the plant is gone forever. The floral carpets no longer exist in the Spring.We are so fortunate that the few we have on our property still exist.

More things that I...

...never planted, but really enjoy. Some things in my gardens, and in the wood, meadow and hedgerows that I look forward are things that I have discovered. Things like wildflowers, mosses, mushrooms and lichens. All things that I delight in "discovering" each year, tiny things that amaze and amuse me. On a stump in the hedgerow, along the road, in front of our property, one thing that I wait for each year, is the return of a remarkable "village" of fuzzy foots. Fuzzy foot is the common name of Xeromphalina campanella mushroom. Another mushroom, an extremely tiny one (1/4" to 5/8"), that I enjoy "finding", is Splash Cup, Cyathus striatus. I put finding and discovering in quotes, because I basicly know where they are but, not exactly when they will be at peak. The Splash Cups look like tiny birds nest with eggs, but the "eggs" are actually spores. They grow on shredded cedar mulch that I put in the gardens to help control weeds. In the Ornamental Grass Garden I also mulch with shredded cedar and more "jewels" grow there, they are Beaked Earthstars, Geastrum pectinatum. Tomorrow some of the amazing mosses that adorn the wood and gardens.

The loveliest flower...

...I never grew. Oh, but I would love to be able to grow it. The first time I ever saw Meconopsis betonicifolia, Blue Himalayan Poppy was at Lynnwood Gardens near Philadelphia Pennsylvania, on the way to the Philadelphia Flower Show. The color is an amazing blue, so blue it almost took my breathe away, and the stamen are a wonderful contrasting orange. The next time I saw it growing was in Ogdensburg, New York, in a bog, along the St Lawrence River. The gardens belong to a friend, a Botanist, who spent many years trying and finally succeeding, in growing this magnificent Blossom. She told me that the seeds must be put in the freezer and removed and replaced, several times before attempting germination. The seeds, once they have germinated must be kept moist, never too damp and never too dry. When they are hardy enough to plant, the plant is the most important feature the first year. Which means, after the plant is strong and begins to form a bud, the bud most be removed. Removed so the plant can become heathly and strong. The following year, if the plant survives the winter, then you can let the bud form and become a bloom. Like I said, the prettiest flower I never grew.

Recently, I was asked...

...why I include Genus and Species when referring to specific Flora and/or Fauna. It is because Common Names are just that. Common to a specific area or group of people. For example, a favorite wild or woodland flower is Erythronium americanum, aka. Trout Lily, Adder's Tongue or Dog Tooth Violet. It has been called Trout Lily because its leaves are speckled like a trout, it blooms at trout season and is in the Lily Family. Some call it Adder's Tongue because its flower reminds them of an adder serpent. Yet still others know it as Dog Tooth Violet because its root looks like a dog's tooth, and perhaps seems similar to a yellow violet. I suppose it isn't any different than all the nicknames we have for each other.
Robin Wall Kimmerer wrote in her book Gathering Moss, "It is a sign of respect to call a being by its name, and a sign of disrespect to ignore it. Words and names are the ways we humans build relationship, not only with each other, but also with plants." I fully agree.

Lots of Activitity...

...in the gardens, the wood, the ponds, and the meadow. While photographing wildflowers in our wood, I spied the first (Bombylius spp.) Large Bee Fly of the season. They look a bit like a mini Hummingbird, as does the Hummingbird Clear Wing Moth. It was hovering above a Hepatica blossom. Both a (Artogeia rapae) Cabbage White and a (Nymphalis antiopa) Mourning Cloak Butterfly have fluttered through the yard. On the pond the (Rana sylvatica) Wood Frogs have begun their mating, which sometimes begins before all the ice has melted. Their croaking and that of the (Hyla crucifer) Spring Peepers are sounds of the night, that are anixously awaited and appreciate. Many migratory birds are visiting the feeders and a (Buteo jamaicensis) Red Tailed Hawk is soaring over the meadow. Each a joyful sight and sound, for which I am most grateful.