Acer palmatum 'Ryusen' Practicing with new camera lens, I focused on Arctostaphylos 'Austin Griffiths' flowers: exquisite, tiny bells.
Whoa! What's that flying by?!? There, at the extreme upper right:
There, with its backside turned towards the camera (of course):
A bumble bee in January! Yet another garden surprise. Different than the ones that were feeding from 'Mystic Spires Blue' Salvias all summer, which appeared to be Bombus sonorus. Less yellow on this one--Bombus californicus?
I was thrilled 'Austin Griffiths' was in flower, providing the bumbles (saw two) with food, whatever species they are. There are still a few 'Mystic Spires Blue' flowers around as well.
Perhaps the tiny flowers of another native plant in the garden, Rhus integrifolia might also sustain them--or not. The Rhus flowers are even smaller, about the size of a sesame seed. A small sesame seed.
A few more practice photos. The bright orange color is provided by soon-to-be-ripe Cara Cara oranges. Looking forward to these!
Just the past couple of days, in very gloomy overcast, the tips of several of the garden's Leucadendrons have transformed into bright yellow stars:TB Iris 'Clarence' sent up another out of season flower stem:'Rose Rhapsody', though ready for a winter rest, gave a beautiful flower to the rain:And Gasteria acinacifolia another stem of her wonderfully strange red-green flower buds:Maybe 2024 will be good. There is always hope in a garden.
You must be having fun with your new camera lens. I was struck by the unusual colors in the 'Ryusen.' Is that a camera trick? I googled the plant but didn't find other photos with similar coloring. As usual, I love your garden photos.
ReplyDeleteNo not camera trick. I'm wondering myself at the out-of-ordinary colors. This is the first year 'Ryusen' has ever had dying leaves that were non-gold. The unusual colors of reddish and pinkish was a surprise! The tree seems quite healthy, no soil disturbance. It had a particularly good year thanks to all the rain last winter. It's in the lowest, shadiest, therefore coldest (cold for here) part of the garden--most potential for a little late season color up.
DeleteYour new camera lens looks like it'll provide a lot of fun. Beautiful photos as always. That Acer has more varied colors than I think I've seen elsewhere. I haven't seen any bumbles but I have seen other bees - and the migrating birds are coming through. The white-crowned sparrows have taken over the bird feeders (when the squirrels allow).
ReplyDeleteThe 'Ryusen' colors are abnormal--usually all gold. Tree doesn't seem ill, though, so ???
DeleteHere the major bird activity are the acorn woodpeckers, male hummers fighting for territory/females, common warblers at the aloe flowers, and at night barn owls, who appear to have thinned the rodent population--good for the orange crop!
Wow, that's quite a surprise! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteYes indeed. Happy New Year Nikki!
DeleteWow, absolutely beautiful photos. The clarity is incredible. Just like being there in person. What type of lens did you purchase? Looking forward to more 'practice' sessions with your new lens. You are right, the garden does provide us with hope for better times. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteIt was an unexpected present from Beloved. 70-300mm which means hopefully better bird pictures (when time/energy permits) and one can take close ups of flowers from a distance, which gives interesting effects. Fun to experiement.
DeleteHappy New Year Elaine!
Happy New Year! I am really enjoying the photos you are taking with the new lens. Interesting to see the Rhus integrifolia flowers up close and I am enjoying the composition of the Leucadendron from behind the aloe.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Jerry! The new lens did that Aloe/Leuca just right--I like that one too. :)
DeleteDid you get a macro lens? Your photos are outstanding.
ReplyDeleteIt's the 70-300mm, so can get macro close without getting up close--easier on a bad knee!
DeleteWOW! Your photos were already top notch. So looking forward to your new photos & 2024 garden.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Enjoyed your photos of the Rhododendron garden in Portland--they were great!
DeleteThe UC Davis entomology department has a contest every year for the first bumblebee of the year, spotted in the area. Generally it tends to be sometime in the first two weeks of January, and is usually the black tailed bumblebee species.
ReplyDeleteHah! That must be it! Many thanks!! Bombus melanopygus it is. :^) Not on my reference page of local bumblebees--now it will bee.
DeleteAn enchanting garden, filled with hope!
ReplyDeleteHope is the thing with feathers
DeleteThat perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all,
And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.
I've heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.
Hoover Boo, your poem is beautiful! Are you the author?
DeleteOops, sorry. No (I wish) but no. Emily Dickinson.
Delete