Daily Musings, Page Two

This is a continuation of the original Daily Musings thread, http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/627616/

As Ernesto passed well to our west last night we had brisk south east winds. The tall sunflowers in front of the living room were getting blown around, sometimes tapping the window. Sarah, my dog, couldn't figure out what the knocking was all about but she let me know something was out there, LOL. She's a good watch dog.
I snapped this pic this morning. The drop reminds me of a 'Gazing Ball'. Fitting for a thread about observations and thoughts.
Andy P

Fitting indeed! And a lovely photo to boot. Looks like the small visitor to the left is doing some grazing....er, gazing of his own.

Thanks Nap.
Yesterday was a sad day here. My 'pet' Argiope spider died. She was in the perennial bed for a month or so. She laid her eggs and died. The full story and pics (of course) are here. http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/641426/ scroll down to Sept 2.
Andy P

Good-bye Charlotte. We look forward to meeting your children.
Andy Great photo of the drop! (Do you get tired of my complimenting your photos?)

I also admire Andy's photographic eye, Dave. As for the raindrop, this evening I'm going to start a thread in Photos with some raindrops of my own.

That is just a lovely photo. You are a great picture taker.

Thanks everyone for the kind words about the pic. I was getting very frustrated trying to snap a drop today. It was only after I missed a SUPER shot of giant dragonflies mating that I checked my settings. I was lucky to get the one at the top of this thread. LOL.
The Dragonflies literally fell out of a tree, buzzing like mad. I thought it was a cicada. I ran in to get the camera, quickly snapped 2 pics as I recognized what they were. I was checking the pics when they flew away, still connected. The pics were totally out of focus, another lost opportunity. I must remember to check my settings.
The settings were changed yesterday as I was trying to take a pic of 'Charlot' and her Egg Sack together.
Here is a shot from yesterday, taken before the spider shots.
Andy P

Andy, that last pic is a great one, too, but I love the 'gazing ball'. so many things that people never even notice ....

Andy - do you have any idea what a treasure you are? Your photographs are incredible - your prose warm and informative. You have a kind heart and share your joy in life and living with all of us. Thank you over and over and over again - you make my days a little brighter.

Many thanks to everyone. Yankee, you are way too kind.
Your comments between each other are a pleasure for me, too.
Lets get back to "Daily Musings".

This week I was given a lovely Karastan rug from a redecorating job. All wool 6 x 9 ft. Persian style rug. She was going to throw it out! I think it's worth hundreds of dollars. It's been a good week.

Multiple Gazing Balls.

Andy, No picture of the rug? I have the same hybiscus. Is your's on a variegated plant? (Mine is)

Dave, no rug pics yet. I'll have to think about that.
The Hibiscus is the Disco Bell, regular leaf. They are going through the second attack by Saw fly larva. They are hurtin'.
Andy P

I love the depth of field on that pic Andy.

Andy ~ Beautiful shots!! I love the droplets...very relaxing to look at.
The little black bunny has been doing well this summer and letting me get closer as the days go by. He was kind enough to let me get a close up of him last night as he sat under the boat trailer eating a snack.

I have several but I really like this one...I was talking to him and he was listening so intently.

Awwww those are great pics of the bunny! Have you given him/her a name yet?? I think we should come up with one LOL.

You could call it Amber, for the eye color.
Sarah would have fun with that one, lol.

Have you noticed the increasing amount of dew each morning?
Andy P

I made a few calls about the rug. Yes it's worth 5 to 6 hundred dollars when new but the resale of a used one may only bring $150 to $200. It will cost about $40 to have it cleaned and who knows how much to advertise. I'm thinking about it, lol. I did take some pics, they will be ready to post soon.
Andy P

Andy ~ When you said Sarah would have fun I had to laugh! I have 4 dogs and they go nuts when Bunny is in the yard. In the house they routinely check the windows to see if they can catch a glimpse of him. When one spots it...he or she howls to the others and they come running. It's funny to watch all four of them as they try to crowd in at the same window, not funny when I have to sand the scratches out of the wood window frame!
While working in the new flower bed yesterday, a little toad stopped by to visit. He was nice enough to hold still for a few photos.

Pixie, Sarah chases anything that moves. She eats bees.
She will back off when told to, except for the bees. lol
I always know when she is on to something, that tail wags a mile a minute. Her nose is to the ground and she is off. Even in the dark. I bet your dogs are the same way. Fun to watch.
That toad looks well fed.
Here is the rug.
Andy P

Pretty rug.

Andy, Are saw fly larva the critters that totally skeletonize the leaves of the hybiscus? They can really clean house!

Andy, and others....Aren't you going to submit any Autumn photos to the banner contest?? There aren't too many entries

Dave, yes. I get rid of the saw fly larva for a couple of weeks then they come back. I hope it's not a problem next season or my Hibiscus are doomed.

Nap, I have no Autumn pics. Plus that was decided last Spring. Why do it again?

Yankee, I'll give a heck of a deal on that rug. I don't have the room for it.

Andy P

Actually it was Dave's decision, Andy.

Nap, I understand that it was Dave's decision. If I had pics, I'd enter them, too. Last Fall was drab around here, very disappointing.

The city cut down a huge Sugar Maple tree by the side of the street today. It was in bad shape and had to go, what a big hole it left in front of the neighbors house. No more shady front yard. My little semi-paved street was completely redone 2 years ago, the cheap road crew went around the tree. Technically it was in the road, but they simply narrowed the pavement to go around it. Two steps forward, one step back.

Here is one of my Sedum flowers all covered with dew.
Andy P

Once again Sarahskeeper that is a beautiful photograph. So inspiring! I feel relaxed when looking at your photos...great job once again yay!

Andy P,

Your gazing ball and sedum photos are so beautiful. I stop in here whenever I can for small bits of R&R and your photos are such a treat.

Loretta

Thank you very much Dawn & Loretta. Glad I added a little something to your day.

I wish I had my camera yesterday while walking Sidekick Sarah. A van marked "Safety First" was dropping off a passenger on crutches. Ironic I thought.

I got a surprise E-Mail last night. A small gardening site, the first I ever joined, asked me to be a moderator on their photo forum. I had to read it twice to believe it. I don't even know what a moderator does, lol. We'll see.

Here is a close up of a Hardy Hibiscus that I started from seed this Spring, first flower. I don't know the name. Part of a seed swap.
Andy P

Well, Andy, I think congrats are in order! I don't know what a moderator does either, but they are generally the experts in the group. and you have to make everyone behave.

I'm looking at that hibiscus and thinking that someone gave you a seed, and you planted it, and nurtured it, and it bloomed into that glorious flower and you took that fantastic picture of it with all it's intricacies. I think contratulations are in order again. to you and mother nature...you can split it any way you see fit :) ... little miracles

gram

Just gorgeous! Thanks for making my day again :)

Hi,
THought I would post some more info about monarch raising, as a few folks have expressed interest.

I keep an eye out, and once I see monarchs flying about (early July around here), I start scouting my milkweed plants. Sometimes you can even catch the eggs being laid--and once you have seen one, they are a little easier to spot. The cream-colored oval eggs are usually laid one to a leaf on the underside, and are about 1 mm long. The butterflies seem to prefer laying on younger leaves, so look at the top of the plant first. Once I have found an egg, I cut off the section of the plant it is on and put the cutting with the egg still attached into a small cup of water, and put the whole thing into a terrarium (covered). The milkweed cutting stays fresh while the egg is ripening. Two things: 1. Make sure you are not bringing in other bugs or spiders with the egg--they'll eat it! 2. Keep out of direct sun--you'll cook the plant and possibly the caterpiller.

Unless the egg is a dud (sometimes it is) in a few days, a tiny caterpiller will emerge. Its amazing how much the little critters can eat. As they get larger, I have to bring in a daily supply of fresh milkweed cuttings. About 2 weeks from hatching, the caterpiller will become inactive and shed its skin to become a crysallis. About 7-10 days later you will have a butterfly to set free. This is really a great project for kids, too. Attached is a photo of 10-day old caterpiller--though I think it's the back end (-:

I am still seeing monarchs coming through at this time, though our hummingbirds seemed to have left early--about two weeks since I have seen one. Also saw a variety of migrating warblers in our garden last weekend, mostly pine warblers. We brought in our orchids last weekend too--they aren't too fond of temps below 45. Its downright chilly today--hopefully this doesn't mean an early frost this year. You can never tell around here, as frost can come as early as late September or late as mid-November.

Hi, Jenny. thanks for the details. I have a butterfly garden with a variety of plants, but no milkweed yet. I'm planning on planting some milkweed for next year. How many plants would you say is the minimum?

I still have one hummingbird hanging around...the rest have left. according to the monarch migration table that was published, today should be the peak here, but I'm sure nobody told the butterflies they had a schedule LOL

I don't take my orchids outside. I don't like dealing with the insects they pick up.

I'm just north of Buffalo. the earliest I remember a hard frost is Oct 5, but I'm sure Sept is a possibility. the lake might moderate us somewhat more. what zone are you?

gram

How cool, CJ. Your instructions are so clear, I feel I could do this.
I looked this Summer for eggs, couldn't find any. I've not seen any caterpillar 'damage' on milkweed either.
I have plenty of visiting butterflies though.

I expect an early frost this year, last year it was a month later than out normal 3rd week of October. Tons of snow this Winter, too.
Andy P

I agree Andy..it's cooler than last year at this time. Noticed my blueberry bush's changing color today.

Wow, Pixie, what variety is that blueberry plant? Mine sure don't look like that. I'm hoping to get at least two more blueberries next year and would love to have some that were that colorful in the Fall.

Now that's RED!
I may get a couple blueberry bushes next Spring, after I shrink the blackberry patch. They are getting old and not producing well any more.
My one and only Holly has fruit this year. The builder planted a few around the new house next door. Now mine has a pollinator.
Not many berries but a start.
Andy P

Andy ~ My holly plant was a one and only too and it never had berries. So this spring I purchased a much smaller Holly Girl..and they are both producing berries!

More about butterflies,

Probably you would want three milkweed plants to start. I actually started with a seed pod taken from a wild plant in a weedy area. Planted the seeds in my garden right away in fall. Two sprouted the next spring. Nature took over and now five years later I have over 20, and have to pull up the extras all summer--they're great for feeding to the butterflies, but warning!! they really spread. A surprising benefit of common milkweed is that when it flowers, it smells really good--and all the pollinators love it.

I'm also zone 6a, it would be pretty rare to get a frost here in late September--but it can happen. My city yard is well-protected and will usually be spared until late, while just outside of town there can be a light dusting on open fields.

I did hear that the Adirondacks got their first frost last night. We got down in the 40s. brr

My burning bush is starting, and some other foliage too. Some trees here are getting yellow. Too early.