Pin It Beach Night is a weekly potluck gathering of friends who meet on a favored beach not far from our house. The drill is "Bring something to grill and something to share". Sometimes there are just a few of us and sometimes, like this week, quite a group will gather. It's a time to relax on the sand, enjoy friends, and be lulled into serenity by the lapping waves and salty coolness of the ocean. In the summer months we often miss the sunset due to the fog bank that rolls in with great regularity. This week that was definitely not the case.
Oh my lucky stars! This gorgeous creature, all black and yellow, was hanging onto a Buddleia this morning, eating a bumblebee! I couldn't believe my eyes. If you click a photo to enlarge, especially the last one, and you can just see the yellow fuzz of the last part of the poor bee being munched. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera with me (I really should glue it to my hip!) when I first saw this drama being played out. Only half of the bee had been eaten then and I couldn't believe what I was seeing and just stood there, dumbfounded, for a few minutes. Then I first shot two video clips where you can actually see the munching going on, but now I can't figure out how to upload them to my blog. Research needs to be done.
Pin It While staying with my sister recently at a fabulous house overlooking the Sonoma Valley, another sly and nervous red dragonfly eluded capture (with my camera) until I was able to crawl (literally) stealthily up to it. Even then, the shadow that was cast doesn't make for a clear picture. Sigh. Please click on the photo to view the intricate lacework of the wings.
Pin ItAfter five days in the 100+ degree heat of the Sierra foothills, Sacramento and Sonoma valleys, I arrived home to the deliciously cool, clear air of the north coast and saw that the penstemon had bloomed. Simple pleasures.
Pin It Over the past weekend, we enjoyed the company of my sister and brother-in-law who came over from the heat of Chico to attend the Eureka Blues by the Bay Festival. At the end of the first day of sun and music, we took them to the north jetty to watch the sunset. The north jetty flanks the opening to Humboldt Bay, just as the south jetty flanks it to the south. And because I consider the ocean and beaches my "front yard", these photos seemed very appropriate to post. :)
I especially like the "fish cloud"; it reminds me of a rather ethereal koi.
Pin It These native darlings grow everywhere up here, blooming mostly in the fall wherever there is a small supply of water. These are growing under the 2x6 redwood cap of my 3-foot high garden fence. Just enough condensation water drips from the wood cap, creating the perfect growing environment.
Pin It This beauty was hugging the wall just outside the door of my office. I got as close as I could so you could see the downy, feathery cloak it's wearing. Click on the photo to enlarge, then mouse over the lower right-hand corner of the photo. An orange expansion button should pop up. Click on that to see more. When I googled "moths", I found a cool site on butterflies and moths in the US. Click here to go there. Press the back button to return to this site.
Pin It I know summer is in full swing up here when the crocosmia bloom. Also known as Montbretia. I have three types in my garden: The burnt orange one pictured here is called EmberGlow and the red one is Lucifer. The third is a soft, golden yellow that's not in bloom yet. You'll see it when I do.
