DougPhoto's Blog

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

Lamb's Ears is a garden favorite because of its silvery gray-green color and its very fuzzy, pale foliage. Little children are often amazed by its soft feel.

After a difficult weather week of heavy rain and thunderstorms, some of the lilies are starting to show their color just before month’s end.

Father’s Day was perfect. Did a few plantings before heading to Lake Ontario for a day at Fair Haven State Park.

This year the robins made their nest in the maple tree in the southeast corner of our yard.

Mom sitting on the eggs.

Dad bringing a meal.

Mom & chick.

Yesterday was one degree shy of producing 90º weather for the fourth consecutive day.

Again this year a pair of chickadees made a nest in the pussy willow sheltered bird house. Three chicks hatched.

Guarding the nest.

Feeding time.

Fledgling leaving.

Severe thunderstorms blew through the region yesterday. High winds uprooted trees and downed tree branches. Fortunately our property was not damaged nor were we affected by power outages.

This morning three white allium with their softball size spherical heads were still standing tall at the end of their stiff leafless stalks.

Also beneath the ornamental grasses popped up an Allium moly and an Allium roseum. Plus a real surprise - a small miniature white iris - peeked out from some green foliage.

Peonies have had a tough existence in our garden. Over the years they have been forced to be relocated due to building projects. This peony has not done well the last two seasons.

But this June it has come back with zest. Its lobed leaves and large fragrant red flowers have been a smile producer especially during the record setting 90º weather we have been experiencing this weekend.

The brilliance of our iris certainly is helpful in taking the edge off the unpredictable weather that continues to serve up unseasonable June days.

Although there were intermittent thunder showers throughout the weekend, the garden did reward us with its first iris blooms.