DougPhoto's Blog

Wednesday while biking through the city I stop at Hoopes Park. Glad I did. There at the entrance were two parallel beds of canna lilies. Standing as sentries at a gateway they formed an impressive appearance.

Hoo
pes Park Entrance

Canna Lily

Canna Lily 

Two years ago we planted sunflowers behind the backyard pad to provide us with privacy. The following year sunflowers rose in our front yard. We theorize thanks to the neighborhood birds. This summer sunflowers again adorn the entranceway to the front porch.

Yesterday two yellow finches were checking out the flowerheads. They did not stay long because the seeds are not ready for harvest.

The summer following the death of my mother-in-law, two good friends presented my wife with a hydrangea. This year the plant has produced wonderful flowerheads. As we look over the porch railing upon this flower we are reminded of the wonderful times we had with Grandma Z.

Is it a killer miller moth? or hybrid bee? or a mutant hummingbird?

Last evening around 7:15 we were attracted to a flitter around our butterfly bush. At first we thought it was a hummingbird. But upon close inspection we became dumbfounded.

Last summer at one of our summer parties Emily brought a lily that she purchased at the downtown farmer’s market as a gift. This week the lily bloomed in all its glory.

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Yesterday provided a soaking rain which was much appreciated by the flowers in the gardens, especially our thistle. This flower has been the cornerstone of front yard for several years now. It always puts a smile on a clan member’s face as they rock on the front porch on a summer day.

Hollyhocks are one of our favorite garden ornamentals. Especially, since
hollyhocks are very drought resistant and they do well in locations that might be too hot or dry for other plants.

Recall as a child, Gram, my grandmother, would amuse me by making dolls with the hollyhock flowers.

A cultural factoid - remains of hollyhocks were found in a Neanderthal burial site at Shanidar.

Thanks to much needed rain the last two days, our butterfly bushes have flowered. While we were eating lunch on the backyard pad, my wife pointed to a visitor. There swooping overhead was our first butterfly of the season. It is always fun to entertain guests at meal times.

Yesterday while biking through the Town of Owasco came upon this deer grazing under a crabapple tree in the front yard of 50 Hazelhurst Avenue. The deer seemed as surprised to see me as I was him. He was kind enough to pose for me.

The 4th of July fireworks arrived a day early over our garden. This morning several day lilies burst forth in a colorful display.

Yesterday while walking pass William H. Seward park two lily-like plants caught my eye. Glad they did. There in the corners of the flower bed surrounding Seward's statue were two hostas that would make Austrian botanist Nicholas Thomas Host proud.

William H. Seward Park

Northeast corner

Southeast Corner

Hosta flower

Yesterday after exchanging books at Seymour Library I exited by way of the recently dedicated Charles B. Goldman garden. Glad I did. There in the northwest corner was blooming a magnificent thistle.

Charle
s B. Goldman Garden