Mixed Bag

The expression mixed bag usually refers to an assortment of unrelated objects. Today I am focussing on a mixed bag of natural events happening simultaneously: perennials in the garden are starting to bloom, as are wild flowers at the park and beach, and ducklings and goslings and other nestlings are continuing their cycle of life. 

In the garden the perennials are set to burst into bloom. Below the flowering stems of the succulent "Hen and Chickens"; neither a real hen or a chicken but a succulent that spreads when tiny versions of the parent plant, the chickens, spring from all around the parent looking like a mother hen attempting to shelter its chicks.

The last few Camillia blooms. This year we have had hundreds of blooms on our Camelia bushes.

The lilac is just flowering, a beautiful and fragrant addition to the garden.

The apple trees are covered in flower, hopefully leading to abundant apple crops this fall.

The wild lupins at the beach and in the park are just starting to bloom in beautiful blues, pinks and purples.

... and these insects have noticed.

The Horse chestnut trees are in flower with their wonderful, delicate blooms.

The buttercups are bursting into bloom too, beautiful buttery yellows shining in the sunshine.

When my Wisteria died back a couple of years ago, I was worried that it had died, but it has since regrown (from below the graft I believe) and is flowering robustly again this year. It provides a wonderful sweet fragrance at this time of year and then a welcome shade on our patio throughout the summer.

 In the park the Wild Roses are in bloom, so elegant, so understated, so beautiful.

At the pond in the park the Redwing blackbirds are busily looking after their nestlings; here I strayed a little too close to the nest and attracted the attention of both the male and female Red wings:

The Canada Geese float elegantly on the pond.

 This pair has five goslings to take care of and this morning all were catching a few winks when I stopped by with my camera.

Back at home this Downy Wodpecker is enjoying the suet that I have left out.

More succulents flowering.

The red Peony is always the first to bloom in my garden: the bud and then the flower.

The delicate Corn Flower bud and below the flower.

The start of the Day Lilies; as the name implies each flower lasts only a day.

The last spring and early summer are a wonderful and eventful time in the garden, and probably my favorite time of the year.


Here is a recently finished watercolour of a Great Blue Heron. I am donating this painting to the Brock House Summer Fair Art Sale.

Thank you for dropping by, and Happy Whimsy Wednesday, until next week ...

Adrift

It is getting warmer, not sandal weather yet for me (April when I took these), but time for wandering on the beach. A recent walk took me along the shoreline in search of driftwood and other items of interest on the beach and foreshore to share with you.

Driftwood is usually wood that has been washed up on the shore by waves and wind and grounded there. It can be small pieces of wood, logs that have escaped from booms, or wood (trees) washed off the shore by the action of wind and water, man made wooden objects discarded into the water from the shore (flotsam), objects lost from boats (jetsam) and the remains of shipwrecked wooden boats and ships.

Some driftwood seems to have arrived fairly recently while other pieces seem ancient.

On the local beaches it collects through the year and is sorted and distributed along the beach as shelter for sunbathers and picnickers; the extra wood is usually left for people to cut up and take away as firewood or cut up for making of carvings and table tops. Driftwood also serves as protection for birds and small animals and invertebrates and a place for lichens, moss, and plants to grow.

This seagull surveys its domain.

A beachcomber then is a person who searches or combs the the beach looking for useful things, items of interest and of value, I guess that makes me a beachcomber.

"The first appearance of the word "beachcombers" in print was in Herman Melville's Omoo (1847). It described a population of Europeans who lived in South Pacific islands, "combing" the beach and nearby water for flotsam, jetsam, or anything else they could use or trade. When a beachcomber became totally dependent upon coastal fishing for his sustenance, or abandoned his original culture and set of values, then the term "beachcomber" was synonymous with a criminal, a drifter, or a bum. The vast majority of beachcombers however, were simply unemployed sailors like Herman Melville in Typee, or Harry Franck in the book Vagabonding Around the World.^{"  (Wikipedia)}

Ancient nails, wire and bolts from some past use.

Driftwood comes in an endless variety of shapes and sizes, textures and patterns.

I like to look for interesting and recognizable forms in the driftwood. I see animal heads, faces, monsters and some pieces that are interesting to look at but just that; and I just let my mind wander.

An eye?

An octopus?

A face?

A sea monster?

A yawning face? (seen vertically below)

Narwhale, unicorn?

A birds head?

Another eye, maybe with a seaweed teardrop?

This piece of driftwood has captured shells in its outer layer at some point in its journey.

This piece offers us a unique perspective on the harbour.

A soft Sea washed around the House by Emily Dickinson:

A soft Sea washed around the House

A Sea of Summer Air

And rose and fell the magic Planks

That sailed without a care --

For Captain was the Butterfly

For Helmsman was the Bee

And an entire universe

For the delighted crew.

Well that was my beachcombing adventure, some interesting sightings, some fresh salt air to clear the mind and I'm ready for the next adventure.

Not many words today, this is another scheduled post since I am away from my desk travelling for a while yet. I am taking lots of pictures though which will be appearing here on my return. 

Here is a watercolour that I have recently finished called "Sedona Bell Tower":

Thank you for dropping by, Happy Whimsy Wednesday, until next week ....