Take a walk on the wild side.....

Discussion in 'How's It Growing?' started by pmurphy, May 29, 2020.

  1. Acerholic

    Acerholic Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout Maple Society

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    Good morning, we had the most awful Spring storm here last night, with winds in places at 60 mph and over 2inches of rain. But here a few minutes ago by our local woods this little Greater stitchwort Stellaria holostea opening up all on it's own made us smile.
    Stellaria holostea Greater stitchwort 205.JPG
     
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  2. Daniel Mosquin

    Daniel Mosquin Paragon of Plants UBC Botanical Garden Forums Administrator Forums Moderator 10 Years

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  3. Acerholic

    Acerholic Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout Maple Society

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    Tbh Daniel, it was very bright over here in April, but also the coldest recorded in over 60 years. Some strange records being broken everywhere it seems.
     
  4. pmurphy

    pmurphy Contributor 10 Years

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    We were able to enjoy our walk at the dog park without having to rush back home today. I was also lucky enough to have my camera with me today because I saw a very unusual bird (I was thinking of leaving my camera at home because I was going shopping after our walk) . I had seen this bird about 3 weeks ago but thought maybe I was wrong in what I saw. And then we saw it again today and I was able to snap a couple of photos. The bird itself is nothing unusual - an American robin - but it has leucism, so some of the feathers are white (sorry, the picture is a little grainy because I had to zoom to get the photos).

    Ponderosa pine ?
    Bleeding hearts
    Horse chestnut
    American robin
     

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  5. StevenS

    StevenS Active Member

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    Redstem willow (Salix fargesii) at VanDusen
    Redstem willow-6395_r.jpg
     
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  6. Margot

    Margot Renowned Contributor 10 Years

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    That could just as easily pass for a painting as a photograph.
     
  7. StevenS

    StevenS Active Member

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    I post this one specially for you Margot. I decided not to post this shot originally because it does not show the characteristic redstem due to the angle of light.
    Willow-6409_r.jpg
     
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  8. Margot

    Margot Renowned Contributor 10 Years

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    Hi there @pmurphy - that photo of Aesculus hippocastanum looks so much like a rhodo blossom at first glance. Lovely if you take the time to look.
     
  9. Acerholic

    Acerholic Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout Maple Society

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    One leaf captured beautifully. That's absolutely wonderful Steven.
     
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  10. Acerholic

    Acerholic Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout Maple Society

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    Good morning everyone, we had a long walk along the River Itchen this morning and whilst there we were quite shocked at the state of the river. It has been the driest April (on record) and the coldest in over 60 years.
    But to see this made us step back and take stock at how dry things really are here now. We have never seen it like this and especially at the beginning of May. Yes, it looked like this in August 1976, but now!!!!?
    IMG_20210512_104011612.jpg IMG_20210512_104020165.jpg IMG_20210512_105114215.jpg IMG_20210512_105150146.jpg
    But then in our local woods we came across this that cheered us up.
    IMG_20210512_110906283.jpg
     
  11. Keith Elliott

    Keith Elliott Contributor

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    One thing I remember about the proliferation of berries was this. If the birds leave the berries on the trees, it's going to be a nasty winter. If they eat the whole lot, then it's going to be mild.

    Maybe we should replace all those high priced meteorological prognosticators with the birds!
     
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  12. Keith Elliott

    Keith Elliott Contributor

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    With apologies for the late reply Daniel, it appears that this phenomenon carried over to the Shuswap part of the province. We had many sunny and warm days here, and that is what prompted us to add a filter cloth to the greenhouse in order to keep the temperature somewhat lower. May, thus far, has definitely been much cooler and wetter.
     
  13. StevenS

    StevenS Active Member

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    Golden chain tree (Laburnum watereri) and ornamental onion (Allium hollandicum) at VanDusen.
    Golden Chain Tree-7512_r.jpg
     
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  14. Georgia Strait

    Georgia Strait Generous Contributor

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    That is magical - a stage set with lighting
     
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  15. StevenS

    StevenS Active Member

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    Thanks. It took me a bit of time to find an inviting POV.
     
  16. Keith Elliott

    Keith Elliott Contributor

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    Here's a much closer version of the ornamental onion with a bee!

    IMG-7317.jpg IMG-7319.jpg IMG-7320.jpg IMG-7321.jpg

    Val shot these with her cell phone yesterday.
     
  17. Acerholic

    Acerholic Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout Maple Society

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    I think Claude Monet (my favourite artist btw) would love that one Steven. Beautiful!!
     
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  18. Acerholic

    Acerholic Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout Maple Society

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  19. StevenS

    StevenS Active Member

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    Thank you D. Glad you are impressed with this photo. I have created a "painting" for you.
     

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  20. StevenS

    StevenS Active Member

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    An untagged plant at Burnaby Lake Butterfly Garden.
     

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  21. Georgia Strait

    Georgia Strait Generous Contributor

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    And a hummingbird!
    Anna’s or Rufous - I don’t know
    ÉDIT - i think a female Anna’s - a summer visitor to coastal BC


    Flower -
    Commonly called Columbine (Latin: aquilegia)



    Some old timer gardeners and vintage seed packs call it « granny’s bonnet »

    It is found wild in BC and Washington and the Alberta Rockies —- and fill me in about elsewhere

    The wild ones I see in Okanagan and south in same valley are tomato soup red w some yellow and bloom in mid June

    and bloom In moist areas (but not soggy)

    E-Flora BC: Species Search Page

    In the garden at coast - they self seed freely - i think they are lovely

    I believe technically this is a 2-year plant ... meaning it blooms and seeds spread in 2nd yr then the 2yr old dies off (biennial?)
     
    Last edited: May 23, 2021
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  22. Keith Elliott

    Keith Elliott Contributor

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    That one is an Anna's. The Rufous are a very reddish brown with some bright red. Anna's overwinter here, but I believe the Rufous head for warmer climes in winter.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 23, 2021
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  23. StevenS

    StevenS Active Member

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    Thank you for all the info. Now I believe it is Aquilegia vulgaris.
     
  24. StevenS

    StevenS Active Member

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    Agreed. There was one Rufous hovering around but I did not get a clear shot.
     
  25. Acerholic

    Acerholic Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout Maple Society

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    Sooo clever, thankyou Steven.
     
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