3 from Églantine

I seem to be running late this week. These three photos from Églantine are all from our Monday evening wild flower walk. First is one of the most common, showy wild flowers in bloom right now. It is Dames Rocket (Hesperis matronalis) or, as Églantine would say, "Julienne des dames."



Her next photo was of a grasshopper.



The last photo is of a Great Blue Heron, Grand Héron in French. It was flying west as we drove home.

Monday Magic (Posted on Wednesday)

In addition to my being slow to post Monday's photos, the blog page is also giving me a problem. There is so much to do and see outside right now, it's a bit of a pain to be inside. I guess the blog maintenance people feel the same way.

Anyway, here is the first magic shot of Monday. It is Églantine's photo of a dragonfly. We are looking for a species name.



As we drove home in the evening, these power towers marched across the sunset.



The Ontario Wanderer was just spinning with happiness.

Random Nature Photos

Each Friday I volunteer at the Royal Botanical Gardens in the herbarium and then, before driving home, I visit various wild and semi-wild places on the RBG property or in nearby conservation areas to look for wild flowers. In addition to wild flowers, I also observe birds, insects, trees, etc., etc. Following are three more photos from last Friday's ramble.



The Red-winged Blackbird was in the marsh by the boardwalk in RBG's Hendrie Valley trails.



The mushroom was at ground level so it may have been from the ground or a stick or stump at ground level beside a path in the RBG rose garden.



This Wisteria grows beside, and over, one of the connecting paths in the RBG rose garden.

Friday Finds

One of the brightest flowers of the swamp or streamside in our area is the wild Yellow Iris.



At the other extream of soil, in sunny, dry, sandy, hot railway banks, there grows the Hairy Beardtongue.



And for those of you that might not know, Poison Ivy too has a flower. Sorry this photo is not too sharp but the plants are just beginning to bloom and I was not willing to crawl into the middle of the patch for this photo. I'll try for a better photo when I can find a plant in bloom next to the path.

Damselflies and a Garden Photo

I think this is an Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly. What do you think?



This is probably the same species of Spreadwing Damselfly that Églantine photographed yesterday. It's just a different angle. Agree? Disagree?



This is the garden after three days of not weeding. Sigh! It will keep us busy. You can see the children's circle maze garden made by three youngsters (5, 3, and 1 year old) with help from their parents, Églantine, and I. as well as our tomatoes, potatoes, peas, and Rue if you look closely.