Opportunistic Spider; Unwary Moth

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It's been quite a while since I've posted here. So much rain and cold weather in our corner of the world has kept me from venturing out with a camera. Well, except on some walks - between the raindrops. One can see those photos on my Facebook page.

This sunny morning, upon seeing that one of my irises had bloomed, I pulled out my cell phone to take a few photos, noticed a small blue moth on the flower and thought, wow, lucky me:  a flower and a critter in one shot.

As I focused in, however, I saw that the moth was struggling and that's when I spied the spider.

Nature is not often kind, but she is always real.

(Click on the photo to enlarge)

© Copyright 2006-2017, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Black Iris

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These two photos were taken as an exercise in lighting.  I stepped behind the flower, which was growing very near to a large clematis, and shot into bright sunlight.

I kind of like the washed out, over-exposed look of the background ferns and plants in contrast to the deep purple-black of the foreground iris petals, along with the bright light coming through and illuminating the veins of those petals further away from the camera.

© Copyright 2006-2016, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Lots of Rain for the Beginning of Spring ...

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... and this little guy has taken shelter beneath a just-bloomed iris.

Welcome to Spring!

PS:  I'm posting a photo a day (on Facebook) for the next 7 (now 6) days, taking part in nature photography challenge.  You can check it out here on my Facebook page.  

© Copyright 2006-2016, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Lavender Iris

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Getting iris to bloom is tricky in my garden.  It's too shady for the most part.  But mostly it's that the slugs think I plant iris specifically as a snack food.

Much to my delight, this one managed to bloom amid a tangle of thorny roses, successfully keeping the slugs at bay.

© Copyright 2006-2015, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Iris

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I have decided not to put up more photos of goat destruction.  There are simply too many lovely flowers and shrubs blooming now to revisit the few that were eaten.  Besides, the neighbors have contained the goat in a pasture from where he cannot escape and all is well in the 'hood.

Mr. CC and I were away for a week and, what with the longer days, much rain, a little sunshine here and there, my garden was in full bloom when we returned.

These are the iris that bloomed in our absence, wet from a morning shower. Sweet.

© Copyright 2006-2014, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Mini Iris: A New Beginning Amid the Spoils of Winter

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After the deep freeze of early December, followed by a mild and sunny January, February has begun its watch with rain.  Rain, rain and more rain.  Rain that is much needed to parched California.  And along with this shift in weather pattern, peeking from the brown and dried vestiges of last summer's flowers, come my adorable, always surprising, 6-inch tall mini irises.

What a pleasure.

© Copyright 2006-2014, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Signs of Spring: Mini Iris

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These mini iris always surprise me when they pop up from their winter sleep

and burst into joyous bloom.

The bold purple flowers sit on 4-inch stems and fairly roar that spring is coming.

© Copyright 2006-2012, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Spring in my Garden - Iris Douglasiana

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 Also known as Douglas Iris and Pacific Coast Iris, Iris douglasiana is a wildflower that grows just about everywhere along coastal Humboldt County.

I have both this creamy-white one and the signature purple-blue one (not blooming yet) in my garden. And guess what? I didn't plant them. They just come with the territory.

Discovered by and named after early explorer/botanist David Douglas, this iris is the official flower of the Humboldt Botanical Garden.

© Copyright 2006-2011, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

January in the Garden 2010 - Iris reticulata 'Harmony'

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These caught me quite by surprise early yesterday morning as I was out feeding the chickens. They're not supposed to bloom until February. They're such sweet little things, barely 4-inches tall with large blooms that belie their small stature.

Since I began this blog almost 4 years ago, I can now confidently track the yearly bloomings and other events in my garden. These are definitely early. By a whole month.

Copyright © 2006-2009, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.

Spring in My Garden - Siberian Iris

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Iris afficionados will know right away that this is a beardless iris; a Siberian iris, to be exact. I didn't know either of those botanical tidbits until I researched my photo today.

I found the iris plant at a plant sale last fall. It had no blooms, no tag, nothing to tell the interested plant buyer what it was, and it was marked down to - free. Little did I know how lucky I was until it bloomed yesterday. During my research I came across this. I'm fairly sure it is the same as mine. An award-winner no less.

Copyright © 2006-2009, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved

Spring Garden Series #5 - Iris

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Every year about this time you'll find me hovering around the just-bloomed lavender-blue iris trying for shots like this one. What can I say? I'm fascinated by all the folds, ruffles, mystery, nuances of color - the whole shebang.

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

White and Lavender Dutch Iris

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Came back from a weekend visiting with my sisters and nieces to this beauty, waiting for me to take a photo.

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