Stay alert. Walk with your eyes wide open. Tiny bits of color are everywhere.
Even in January.
© Copyright 2006-2019, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.
Showing posts with label winter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label winter. Show all posts
Monday, January 14, 2019
Sunday, February 11, 2018
First Post of the Year: A Winter-Flowering Rhododendron
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Celebrating mid-winter with the first Rhodie blooms of the year.
On February 3rd, a rather ragged-looking swallow buzzed the eaves of our house where they come, usually later, to build their nests.
This is terribly early for the swallows to arrive and I worry how they will do when winter settles in again.
Right now we're having very un-February like weather: Sun, heat, dry.
© Copyright 2006-2018, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.
Monday, February 01, 2016
Bright Spots of Floral Color in Winter
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Small sparks of color are beginning to show up in my garden beds during this very gray and rainy winter. I do not begrudge the rain, we need it so badly, but I must say that these small bits of color are doing a superb job of lifting my weary-winter-blues spirits.
Small sparks of color are beginning to show up in my garden beds during this very gray and rainy winter. I do not begrudge the rain, we need it so badly, but I must say that these small bits of color are doing a superb job of lifting my weary-winter-blues spirits.
© Copyright 2006-2016, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.
Sunday, January 04, 2015
Post Winter Solstice Sunset
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Late December Sun
Makes an elegant starburst
Warming face and hands
Please visit Sunlit Sunday for more winter sunshine in your life!
© Copyright 2006-2015, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.
Saturday, February 08, 2014
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.
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.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Winter's End; Spring's Beginning
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Pieris Japonica and Rhododendron 'Winter' have been blooming in my garden since January, and although they brighten an otherwise cold and gray time of year, what I really look forward to is ...
this.
Welcome Spring. You've been a long time coming.
© Copyright 2006-2013, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Merry Christmas from Raven Ridge Gardens
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Raven Ridge Garden's very own yule log; covered with moss and fungi.
Merry Christmas to all!
© Copyright 2006-2012, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.
Monday, December 24, 2012
A Bloom for the First Days of Winter
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Not many flowers are blooming in my winter garden, but this Joseph's Coat rose never stops.
© Copyright 2006-2012, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
February Full Moon
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I am a little disappointed. The shot could have been clearer. Me and the big girl camera are still getting to know one another and sometimes we have issues.
The full moon is actually tonight, but tonight there will be no moon viewing from my garden.
Clouds, clouds, clouds.
I was lucky to get this shot last night when the sky cleared for a few minutes. It looks pretty darn full to me.
The February full moon was called, by some northern and eastern native American tribes, the Snow Moon or Hunger Moon due to both of those conditions being most prevalent during this time of year.
Did you get a moon shot tonight?
I am a little disappointed. The shot could have been clearer. Me and the big girl camera are still getting to know one another and sometimes we have issues.
The full moon is actually tonight, but tonight there will be no moon viewing from my garden.
Clouds, clouds, clouds.
I was lucky to get this shot last night when the sky cleared for a few minutes. It looks pretty darn full to me.
The February full moon was called, by some northern and eastern native American tribes, the Snow Moon or Hunger Moon due to both of those conditions being most prevalent during this time of year.
Did you get a moon shot tonight?
© Copyright 2006-2011, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.
Winter in my Garden - A Nameless Rose at Sunset
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I am notorious for losing the name tags that come with my plants. This sweet rose, blushed a rosy-orange by the setting sun the other day, is actually pink and pretty much blooms year round. It has a sweetly citrus scent, is practically thornless, and has canes that would grow to great lengths if I didn't keep them cut back. If anyone knows its name, please chime in.
I took the photo this past Sunday, the day before the rains came back after more than four weeks of beautiful, if not bizarre for our region, sunny weather.
© Copyright 2006-2011, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.
I took the photo this past Sunday, the day before the rains came back after more than four weeks of beautiful, if not bizarre for our region, sunny weather.
© Copyright 2006-2011, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Winter in my Garden - Tiny Clematis Buds
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Signs of spring are everywhere in my garden, from the leaf buds on the dogwood and alder trees to these tiny clematis buds which are no bigger than the tip of your pinkie finger. I was glad to catch these in the evening sunlight before the rains began yesterday.
Signs of spring are everywhere in my garden, from the leaf buds on the dogwood and alder trees to these tiny clematis buds which are no bigger than the tip of your pinkie finger. I was glad to catch these in the evening sunlight before the rains began yesterday.
© Copyright 2006-2011, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Ruby Tuesday - I Heart Red Peppers in the Greenhouse
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This week, Ruby Tuesday and Valentine's Day coincide, affording me the double delight of offering not only a ruby red pepper, but a heart-shaped one at that.
There is more going on at Mary's place, Work of the Poet, for this week's Ruby Tuesday. Take a look.
© Copyright 2006-2011, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.
February Waxing Moon
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This photo brought to you by my big girl camera: Canon Rebel XSi. Big for me anyway.
Today I'm celebrating my first decent moon shot.
I have often coveted the moon shots of others, wondering how do they do that?
My new mantra: Use your big girl camera and a tripod, Dummy!
This photo brought to you by my big girl camera: Canon Rebel XSi. Big for me anyway.
© Copyright 2006-2011, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Winter in My Garden - Winter Blooming Red Rhodie
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Finally - fully-bloomed trusses.
© Copyright 2006-2011, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
Winter in My Garden - Hawks
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I realize that the clarity of these photos is somewhat lacking, but we've been so delighted by the presence of this Sharpshin(?) Hawk in the early mornings that I just had to post them anyway. According to my limited knowledge and my Petersen's bird guide, this is either a Sharpshin or a young red-shouldered hawk, though I certainly could be wrong on both counts.
He, or she, perches on one particular branch, one foot tucked up, overlooking the pond just beyond our fence, mostly looking down, perhaps hoping to catch breakfast. The top photo is natural color; I saturated the photo just above hoping to better show the markings on the feathers. These were taken from inside the house (going outside, no matter how quiet we are, scares him away), through a window, with an EFS 55-250mm lens which was cranked all the way out. (I've got a better lens and a sturdier tripod on my wish list.)
This morning was a veritable hawk-fest. This little guy was just outside the kitchen door so of course the photo was taken through the window, plus the flash went off (white light above the hawk) and the bird flew away so I didn't get a second shot. I haven't been able to identify it, so if anyone out there is a hawk person, please chime in.
We hardly ever see hawks in so close; I wonder what the attraction is this year?
We hardly ever see hawks in so close; I wonder what the attraction is this year?
© Copyright 2006-2011, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.
Sunday, February 06, 2011
Silhouettes at Low Tide
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We walk to the beach several times a week. This past Friday the tide was really low and folks (and their dogs) were walking waaaay out along the wave line. This guy was taking a photo of the rocks and waves while I was taking a photo of him taking a photo - in silhouette.
This is what I do when there's not much to do in my garden. Or rather, when I'm putting off the things that need to be done in my garden.
This is what I do when there's not much to do in my garden. Or rather, when I'm putting off the things that need to be done in my garden.
© Copyright 2006-2011, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Sun Shots in January
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Low morning sun, Jan. 30
Late afternoon, Jan. 30
Sunset, Jan. 30
The January sun holds much for me: It's still low in the sky but not quite so low. It's still winter-watery, but not quite so wet. It still doesn't impart much warmth, but a bit more than December. It's still a winter sun, but so much closer to spring.
Know what I mean?
Welcome to February!
© Copyright 2006-2011, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Winter in My Garden - Early Narcissus
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Harbingers of spring in my garden include these narcissus that have been left neglected in an old wooden half-barrel. They are not my favorite narcissus but they're steady bloomers and they do make me smile when I come across them.
The day began sunny and mild this morning but in the blink of an eye turned cool with dark gray, lowering clouds with a breeze full of the smell of rain. The January thaw is over. Winter isn't.
The day began sunny and mild this morning but in the blink of an eye turned cool with dark gray, lowering clouds with a breeze full of the smell of rain. The January thaw is over. Winter isn't.
© Copyright 2006-2011, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.
Friday, January 21, 2011
The View From My Backyard - Waning Full Moon
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The days are getting longer, the sun is setting a good half-hour later than on the Solstice. A few paperwhites are beginning to bloom. Spring is not far off, and I can feel gardeners everywhere just itching to get out and dig in the dirt. Count me among them.
Moonset around 6:30 AM, January 21st
The days are getting longer, the sun is setting a good half-hour later than on the Solstice. A few paperwhites are beginning to bloom. Spring is not far off, and I can feel gardeners everywhere just itching to get out and dig in the dirt. Count me among them.
© Copyright 2006-2011, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
New Year's Day Walk on the Beach, Part 3 - Mr CC
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Clam Beach is truly stunning when the tide is low
Mr CC is blogspeak for Mr Christine Cooks. Back in the day when I just had the food blog, it was common practice to not give out the given names of family members. Now, with social media telling all, anonymity is practically unheard of. Still, when I refer to my husband, Clay, on my blogs, he will forever be Mr CC.
© Copyright 2006-2011, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved.
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