Winter

Winter

Monday, January 28, 2008

Snow!

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Arriving home last night from a long drive, the last 40 miles of which was through snow - a rare occurance at sea level on the California coast - I was greeted by snow everywhere. Covering plants and trees, burying the winter garden, light, fluffy flakes of snow were falling as I walked up the pathway to the house. The holly tree and red Rhododendron were particularly noteworthy. The photos are unedited, taken with a flash around 7PM.

This morning as I write this, the snow is melting fast, water sluicing off the various roofs of our buildings making muddy puddles on the ground. Click here to see last year's snow. I'll have a snow photo from my trip here soon.






Copyright © 2006-2008, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved



Wednesday, January 23, 2008

One Very Wet Bumblebee

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I often wonder how these tiny creatures survive our harsh winters. Taking shelter under a drooping flower somehow doesn't seem like it would do the trick. But the bees are out in droves every summer so I guess they know what they're doing.




Copyright © 2006-2008, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved



Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Winter In My Garden #5 - Sarcococca ruscifolia

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Also known as Sweet Box, this slow growing evergreen shrub is quite the show-stopper in my winter garden. The tiny and shy intensely vanilla-scented flowers are quickly followed by bright red berries creating a sharp contrast against the leathery green foliage.





Copyright © 2006-2008, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved



Monday, January 14, 2008

Fuchsia thymifolia

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The tiny deep pink blossoms of a perfect miniature Fuchsia, are approaching full bloom in my winter garden. This perennial is native to Mexico south to Guatamala. Fuchsias of all sorts thrive in our temperate Mediterranean climate and the hummers love them.



Copyright © 2006-2008, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved



Sunday, January 13, 2008

Winter In My Garden #3 - Early Narcissus

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Today dawned sunny and cold, a respite from the stormy, rainy grayness that has plagued us for what seems like forever. I knew this little narcissus, also known as a jonquil, had begun to bloom, but it wasn't until we were graced with a blue sky today that I thought of snapping a photo.

Observing and honoring each season as it comes and goes in its yearly cycle is something I strive for, as each one has something to give us; something we can learn from. Sometimes it's a lesson in patience - I'm already thinking of spring.

PS - If you click on the link in this post, scroll way down the page to get to the myriad photographs of flowering bulbs in this genus.




Copyright © 2006-2008, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved



Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Winter In My Garden #2 - Pieris Japonica

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Pieris japonica is getting ready to bloom in my garden. This is a great landscaping plant with showy leaves and color that changes with the seasons. Slow growing, it stays within a compact 4-foot square frame. The soft pink of the bud stems is a nice color this time of year when the sky is gray and stormy.




Copyright © 2006-2008, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved



Friday, January 04, 2008

Sillywalk

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I would have loved to have been there when the mystery bird was making these tracks on the beach. Still, being able to take the photo is gratification enough.




Copyright © 2006-2008, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved