Welcome to the 20th Friday of 2025 and the 136th day of the year. Your friendly neighborhood floof is here to share slices of nature for this week’s latest edition of Nature Friday. Once again we’re joining the LLB Gang and hope you’ll click on their link to see what others have shared. And no…in case anyone is wondering, I’m not broken this morning, I’m just catching a few more winks before starting my day. Plus I just love laying like this on my favorite pile of pillows. Ahhhhh-the good life.
The Mum: {from the other room} Wilson! Get off the sofa!!
Wilson: {sighing} Whoops, guess that’s my signal to get up and get rolling. This week started out with a couple of toasty days with temps in the upper 80’s F (31C) but then a cool front moved in along with about 16 drops of rain. Both Mum and I enjoyed the sunny mornings and temps in the 60ºs F (15º C) in the afternoons to spy on this week’s focus-irises. Mum is a huge fan of irises, bearded irises in particular. They do extremely well in our semi-arid climate and if there’s any downside to planting them, it’s that they have a relatively short blooming cycle. I guess that old adage-into each life, some rain must fall-is accurate…pitiful as it may be.
The Mum: Life is full of give and take, House Pony especially in our climate. But it just makes life interesting. You’re quite right, I am a big fan of bearded irises. While they prefer well drained soil and sunny conditions they have done fairly well in our garden and around the neighborhood. Low maintenance, low water requirements…yes please-sign us up! And now that I’ve discovered there are some varieties that will re-bloom again in autumn, color me happy as a clam at high tide. Bearded irises are just about perfect as a garden addition and are easy to grow. The re-bloomers are currently flowering now while our main iris bed is only beginning to show signs of waking up. Here are a couple photos of the re-bloomers. Normally, white flowers aren’t a big deal, but I have always thought these are just plain pretty with that soft pale yellow signal below the ‘beard.’
Wilson: They are lovely, Mum and if I do say so, most sniff-worthy as well (but I will resist because I know you love them). Last week’s rain sure made them very happy. I know you like unusual colors in flowers so this reddish colored one seems to fit that bill. Just look at how the sun shines through the petals. Early morning light is just so special.
The Mum: Yes, that red one is quite a beauty. Right now most of what are blooming around the ‘Hood are the purple ones.
Wilson: They’re pretty too, Mum. It’s like they’re sticking their tongues out us. Who knew flowers had a sense of humor?
The Mum: Oh Wilson…you are a funny dog…the things that amuse you.
Wilson: What? I’m just calling things like I see them. You humans are so serious, it’s good to look at life with a dog’s perspective.
The Mum: I’m not objecting, you just crack me up. One of the many reasons I love you. I have a feeling you have something else to share from around our garden. You’ve spent a lot of time hanging out with me while I’ve been cleaning up the beds.
Wilson: Yes, and it’s been pretty exciting. While you’re pulling weeds and picking up leaves and twigs the squirrels have been taunting me with, I’ve been watching bees hanging out around the lupines. Last week we captured the purple one and this week, the pink one is playing center stage.
The Mum: You’re starting to sound like me being mesmerized by bees going from flower to flower searching out the best pockets of pollen.
Wilson: And I see you managed to capture another one in mid-flight. I wish I could do that, but you keep telling me I wouldn’t like that so I’m being a good boy and not trying to capture them in my sheepdog jaws of death. I’ll save that for the squirrels. Did you see how close I came to catching that tree rat yesterday?
The Mum: Don’t remind me. You shot down the alley like a rocket. I saw that you scared the daylights out of a bunny who ran along with the squirrel. Poor thing. You know the rule, no chasing the bunnies and certainly not down an alley where you may encounter traffic. I nearly had a heart attack when you did that. Are you just insane?
Wilson: {blinking innocently} I have no idea what came over me but you notice I responded to your hysterical command to return.
The Mum: Umm, that’s not exactly what transpired. I had to go chase you before you returned.
Wilson: Now, now,…the bottom line is I came to my senses and came willingly.
The Mum: Hmmm, as I recall it, I had to snatch you by the collar and drag you.
Wilson: You say say tomato (toMAYto) I say tomato (toMAHto), …let’s be like Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, shall we?
The Mum: I just want you to be safe, buddy. Please promise you’ll do better about chasing the tree rats, okay?
Wilson: I’ll do my best, but you gotta admit, I sure gave that rascal a run for its money.
The Mum: While giving me a heart attack in the process. It’s one thing to try to chase them up a tree, but let’s agree not to go flying down the alley, shall we?
Wilson: Deal, Mum. I hope I can keep that promise. I don’t want to disappoint you. And I know you’re just trying to keep me safe. So bunnies are ok to chase?
The Mum: {smacking her forehead} NO, BUNNIES ARE NOT OK TO CHASE!! For the record, we do not chase anybody, least of all down the alley, okay? Do you understand now?!
Wilson: {sheepishly} Got it Mum. Sorry. Not to change the subject, but what’s on the agenda this weekend? Got any special plans? Whatever you do, we hope it includes checking out all the beauty nature dishes out. Have a great weekend and avoid any squirrels.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
IRISESS!!! IRISESS!!! All of them are so beeuteefull. Mee lovess THE Red oness an Bellasita THE Purple oness!!! You DUE look so comfy cozy on yore faverite pillowss Wilson….mew mew mew….
**nose bopss** BellaDharma an ((hugss)) BellaSita Mum
Thank you. So glad you liked the all the irises. We like the unusual ones best. Wilson is definitely a pillow guy! Have a great weekend.
Your irises are way more than beautiful, they are gorgeous! Mine were here when we bought this ancient dwelling, and are either pale purple, or a yellow and brown mixture. There may be a couple white ones under our snowball shrub…I did have some miniature ones but they have disappeared. Not sure why, deer can’t get in here, and we rarely get rabbits anymore because our fence is buried a foot deep. Not sure is tree rats would nosh on them?
Wow, Wilson, you shouldn’t scare your mom like that! Though we admit it must have been fun, BOL!! (For you, not your mom!)
Irises are so hardy but they don’t like to be deeply buried; they won’t bloom if they are. When I installed my iris bed over 20 years ago, I knew I wanted mostly deep purple or blue ones. The white rebloomers were the only color then (not sure if they’ve expanded the colors these days and now the iris farm has closed. A brownish-purple one suddenly appeared and have no idea from where that came. I hate it and am ripping it out. It’s got to be one of the homeliest irises I’ve ever seen.
I’ve come to realize trying to keep Wilson and squirrels separate will always be an ongoing issue. His brain just freezes; too bad it doesn’t freeze his lightning fast legs! 😆
What beautiful Irises!! They were in full bloom at our Botanic Garden last week too.
Thank goodness Rosy is under 20lbs….I can’t imagine trying to hold on to Wilson if he tries to chase bunnies!
Thanks. Yes, an 80 lb. head of steam chasing squirrels is not so easy to control. 😆
Lulu: “Wilson, don’t scare your mom like that, chasing squirrels down the alley!”
Charlee: “Oh like you wouldn’t also chase a squirrel right down the alley.”
Lulu: “I would not! We haven’t got an alley here.”
Java Bean: “Ayyyy, where are these squirrels I keep hearing about? I don’t see any.”
Because I, Wilson, are the bestest squirrel remover in the neighborhood!
Wilson, you really look like you are broken, or like bought from IKEA with a wrong construction order.
Those white irises are amazingly beautiful,so pure. Here has been really cold spring, soon the cherry trees start blossoming. Hugs.
Thanks Kristiina. Wilson looks either broken or he was put together with the wrong IKEA instructions. 😆
I love those white irises, even if they are rather plain. They really were beautiful on the full moon night earlier in the week. Hope life is treating you well (even if it’s been chilly). Have a great weekend.
Thank you for the right words about Wilson and IKEA😂
Your words were just fine, I was agreeing with you (I’ve had my share of putting together some IKEA item where I wanted to strangle the little guy in the instruction booklet-his how-to ‘artwork’ made no sense). Wilson sleeps like that often but especially when he’s on the sofa.
He is totally relaxed, that cute boy.
Ha! According to Chester bunnies are the BEST things to chase! We visited Portland and the iris were in full bloom, mostly purple. Beautiful!
How funny-Wilson prefers squirrel stew, er squirrel chasing. 😉 I an imagine the Portland irises are quite stunning. Have a great weekend.
I always love your iris photos. There are so many varieties! But as you say, short bloomers. Looking forward to seeing more. 🙂
Thanks, Amy. I’m heartbroken the Iris Farm in Denver has closed. I could walk those 3 acres The closest one now is in Boulder. I should have divided last fall but didn’t get around to it so the main iris bed may not have much but we’ll see.
P.S. Let me know if you want any when I divide, they’re quite beautiful and I’d be very happy to share.
I can relate to the upstairs downstairs weather patterns because we have them going on in this corner of the world as well. Over the last several days, we’ve had terrific (horrible) storms and weather that runs the gamut within the same day. On Thursday I wore my hoodie out because it was overcast and cool. But by the afternoon it was sunny and quite warm. Same with yesterday. Big time showers in the morning and by the afternoon, as if it never even happened.
Blooming! Bloomers! Bloom! These captures look delicious! And no Wilson, I don’t mean edible.
Here’s wishing everyone on the Ranch a great weekend.
Thanks, Marc. Mother Nature is quite hormonal. My sis lives in western Maryland and they’ve been getting loads of rain (something we can only dream about). I’m digging the cooler temps-it’s easier on both the floof and me when we’re logging up our daily miles. As for ‘edible’ it must have a different meaning in the floof language since he can’t seem to understand what’s safe and what’s not. #ohthatdog Have a fantabulous weekend.
Hahahaha!
Yeah we got so much rain last week. Every day it was raining buckets.
It was nice today, tomorrow? Hmmm . . .
Great for the miles, that it is.
I have friends like this.
Take care mama
Also love irises. Just a short bloom time. About the time they are full and open we get a torrential downpour that flattens them on the ground. Boogers. Still envy your lupines.
Thanks, Kate. I so love irises (when I was a kid, we called them ‘flags’). They’re so pretty but alas like peonies, they just don’t last long enough. The lupines are having a good year which is quite surprising considering I pulled them all out last year. 😉 They are cheery to look at and provide the bees with food. Have a great weekend.
Wilson, you and your Mom always have the best conversations! Your world is looking beautiful with all those pretty flowers – just be careful when you stick your nose in to have a sniff of a pretty flower – bees hide in there and might give you a SHOCK!
Hugs, Teddy
Aww, thanks, Teddy. Mum and I have some spirited conversations. For some reason she thinks I’m misbehaving; I think she’s a little overly strict. Glad you liked the flowers we found. Have a beautiful spring weekend!
You sure found lots of pretty flowers Wilson. Hey, we need a video of that critter chase! Enjoy your weekend!!!
Thanks, Terry. The video would be something else. Terrified bunnie, evil squirrel, insane dog and screaming-like-a-banshee Mum zigzagging all over the place! Total pandemonium!
Such beautiful blooms. Have a nice weekend. Xo
Thank you, Ellen. You have a great weekend, too.
Oooh Wilson, I love your humor too. Never thought about the flowers sticking out their tongues. 😂.
Very pretty. Purple is my favorite.
I totally agree with your dear mom, no chasing!! No squirrel is worth you getting hurt and frightening your mom. But I am sure it is tempting.
And trust me you don’t want to try and catch a bee.
We love ya housepony, stay safe. 😊 Happy Weekend! 💕
Many thanks, Carolyn. He’s just like a toddler when it comes to some things. Gotta be watched like a freakin’ hawk! Have a great weekend.
🩷💛🩷 He keeps you on your toes. Its Margarita time, right. 😉
Funny you should say that…I’m actually enjoying a rather stiff (stiffer than I thought it’d be) Moscow Mule. Yum. With this dog, it’s no wonder I’ve resorted to drinking. 😆
🤣🤣🤣
What timing I have. Are you going to start singing and dancing now too?
Nah…just me and the lampshade sashaying to some Shaboozey. LOL
🤣🤣
That would be something to see!
Boogie on down, mama. 🤣
Would love too! 😂🥰
We love all the bold, bright colors, so spring and they make you happy just to look at them. As for chasing, bunnies are always alright to chase. We can’t change that fact so we chase on. Have a fun weekend!
Bunnies zigzag nicely and are able to get away safely…tree rats on the other hand don’t play fair. Add cars and it terrifies me! Hope you guys have a great weekend. Farmer’s Markets are opening this weekend-it should be interesting with folks coming out of the woodwork to check them out even though there won’t be much produce yet.
Your flowers are gorgeous and a reminder that the beauty will win out. 😘
Aww, thanks, sis. Nature is the real artist and she never makes a mistake. Have a super weekend!
Great flower shots, Monika. Twiggy and Wilson must be on the same wavelink. She will chase anything; the nice part is that she doesn’t get the chance after the first time. I hope you have a great weekend.
Many thanks, John. Wilson would likely never have chased that bunny but was triggered from the evil tree rat while he’d probably cross hot coals to get at. I don’t know why he fixates on them so much. He’s gonna be the death of me yet! Have a great weekend.
My mom can’t grow an Iris. Se can’t even get the leaves to come up out of the ground!
Whaaaat? That’s impossible. They’re like weeds (so long as they aren’t planted too deeply). 😁
I like how Wilson mentioned how the flowers look like they are sticking their tongues out…they actually look like they are doing that!! Lovely flowers, lovely post. Have a great weekend Wilson and Mum
Many thanks, Nimi. Irises are so beautiful but clearly have a sense of humor too. Have a wonderful weekend.
Oh my, Wilson looks soooo relaxed….zzzzz!
He looked like he was broken! That dog is too funny. Love how he can relax on a pile of pillows. Have a lovely weekend, Lisa.
So cute, very cat-like, lol!
Hi Wilson. We think all those flowers are pretty too, and such pretty colors. Hey, that flower IS sticking it’s tongue out at us! Are you sure it’s not one of those that eats flies? XOX Xena and my pack
Thanks, Xena and pack. Trust us, no flies were harmed in the photo taking sessions. Too funny. Have a pawsome weekend!
dude we see it coming… we will be grounded soon and then we all 3 sit behind the window and look at the tree rats and the bunnies pigeons elephants gators and camels… the darned thing is, we don’t want to chase that guys… we know that the mama said no!… but our legs run automatically down the road like ricochets…
So that’s it, a separate brain rules the legs? Ahh, now I get it. Have a great weekend ‘window shopping.’
The irises are gorgeous. Ours are looking pretty happy these days too. Taking in the 28 lb cat this afternoon…should be an interesting weekend.
Thanks, Debra. Irises look delicate but seem super hardy and tough. Good luck hauling in your ‘little’ kitty to the vet. Remember…lift with your legs, not your back. 😉 Have a great weekend.
Gonna get help on lifting this guy, but we got him home and we’ll get him other places as needed. Our strength training exercise!!
Ha! Looks like you won’t need to do uppers till he starts losing weight.
He is very challenging to move around at all. Can’t wait until he loses weight.
Squirrel and rabbits are so taunting, I agree. Blatantly lounging in plain sight, like they WANT to be chased! Good luck overcoming your instincts, House Pony, but safety first, okay?
Beautiful irises, they are starting here as well, we just love them! Have a great weekend. <3
You’re so right about the safety first thing. Now if I can only embed that in his peabrain. Irises make for such lovely bouquets, I’m sure you’ll have some soon to share. Have a great weekend.