Elsa here to share some interesting flora and fauna photos this week. It’s been a lovely spring week with mild temps and even one day with a nice rain shower. Everything has turned green, especially the weeds which seemed to pop up overnight. This been a good year for dandelions and the much loathed bindweed, much to Mom’s chagrin. But enough fussing over that, let’s see what the House Pony has curated for us, shall we?
Wilson: Thanks, Ninja and hello mates…have we got some lovelies for you this week. The Peonies have started blooming and boy are they something else. Mum especially likes this red one and I noticed that even you took time to stop and smell them.
Elsa: Well you’re always yammering on about how great it is to sniff flowers and I will concede these peonies are pretty fragrant. Plus they’re just so doggone pretty.
Wilson: You’re right about that. Peonies and irises this week have been quite something to behold. These two I’m happy to report are from our own garden. Mum really is fond of dark irises and said the first image didn’t bloom last year that she could recall so when she saw it, she was more than chuffed.
Elsa: Mom definitely loves her irises. She mentioned that she’s planning on a visit to the Iris Farm this weekend and will likely take at least a thousand photos of them one last time as this is the last year the Iris Farm will be open. After 35 years, owner ‘Iris Bob’ will be retiring. We’ve shared this video before, but are sharing it again for your viewing pleasure. These gorgeous three acres have been such a wonderful place to walk through and the most remarkable aspect of it has been seeing such a large private space near the heart of the city.
Wilson: Mum told me all of her irises came from the Iris Farm except the one she brought from her old house over 22 years ago.
Elsa: Yeah, it’ll probably be somewhat emotional for her since she has visited the farm so many times over the years. But enough of the gooey nostalgia, how’s about you share what else we’ve saw on our separate walks.
Wilson: Right-o. We’ve noted it’s been an exceptional year for allium bulbs. Mum found a gigantic one in bloom and even captured a bee noshing on it. She wouldn’t let me get near it because I tend to try to catch bees. Mark my words, I’m ‘this’ close to catching one.
Elsa: You bonehead…I told you last week you do not want to play Venus Flytrap with these guys. They will mess you up but good and your nose is already big enough. Jeez, what is wrong with you?
Wilson: Oops, I forgot your sage advice you told me last week. I’ll try to do better, but with their buzzing noise, I just can’t help myself.
Elsa: {shaking her head} Well, don’t come yelping to me when you get stung and your face swells up like a balloon. Trust me…you ain’t gonna like it one bit. That’s all I’m gonna say about that.
Wilson: I’ll try to be better. We probably ought to move along on this week’s garden tour. Mum noticed this striking Heuchera plant with its yellow-green leaves and striking dark red veining. Also known as Coral Bells or Alumroot, this beauty looked amazing in a shaded garden we pass on our daily walks. Its many species are all native to North America (except for Heuchera Sichotensis, which is native to the Russian Far East). This low-growing, evergreen comes in multiple colors, and is fairly easy to grow and do well in semi-sunny or shady conditions. Deadheading them promotes subsequent blooming. Another bonus to planting this lovely perennial is it’s deer resistant.
Elsa: That’s so different from the green ones we have in our garden but I’ll give it to you for finding it. Those red veins are really something else. You’re developing into quite the plant discoverer of interesting, if I do say so myself.
Wilson: Why thank you, Ninja. I appreciate that. I’m growing more and more comfortable with the city and can concentrate better on sniffing out things. Speaking of interesting plants, check out this plant called Iris Pseudacorus (sometimes called yellow iris flag, or water flag) when mom wandered over to Sloan’s Lake. It’s often considered an invasive, aquatic plant where it’s not native. Mum had never seen them at the lake before and only saw 3 or 4 plants before she looked them up to see what they were.
Elsa: That pop of yellow must have surprised Mom since the water was kinda murky looking. But the biggest surprise she saw were these American White Pelicans, who apparently are tourists moving through as they make their way from various parts of North America southward to California and Mexico. You think they have valid fishing licenses which are required to fish the lake? Still they were very cool to watch and despite being fairly good-sized birds, they were quite graceful after one of them decided that Mom was getting just a bit too close for comfort and took flight. They rest of them took their cue from the leader and left shortly thereafter. Those black tipped wings must be exceptional on both take-offs and landings. Did you know a group of pelicans is called a pod?
Wilson: Wow, that’s a fascinating fact-I did not know that. Golly, I wish I could have seen them. I’m starting to be aware of birds around the neighborhood and keep hoping I can become friends with them.
Elsa: Oh sure, just like you want to be friends with squirrels? Umm, I’m gonna say that’s probably a hard no in the bird world. It’s quite likely squirrels have been besmirching your name to get even with you trying to catch the little hoodlums.
Wilson: Harumph…I’m not a bad sort; I’m actually quite friendly, much like this last plant whose blooms look like loads of smiles.
Elsa: {giggling} Smiles indeed with squinty little eyes. Hahaha. I gotta admit, Pony…you’ve outdone yourself this week.
Wilson: Thanks Ninja. I’m starting to get this nature thing down. Well that’s it from us. We all hope you have a smashing good holiday weekend. Stay safe and don’t forget to stop and smell the peonies.
Elsa: You got it big guy. Have a pawsome weekend.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
