Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Pepper Plants


Pepper Plants
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

As part of my work at the organic farm this morning, I picked about 50 pounds (23 kg) of peppers from this greenhouse growth. (If my math and estimations are correct, that's about 6 pecks of peppers or maybe slightly more. None of them were pickled however.)

I am glad that I don't have to do work like this too often. My back is still sore this afternoon from all the bending over.

Monday, September 28, 2009

One-Seeded Bur Cucumber


One-Seeded Bur Cucumber
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

1 of 113 wild flowers that I have found blooming in the last three days (September 25,26,27). I found this one by the Grand River just before the 5 km Waterworks run started.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Resting


Resting
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

Fungi found on a stump. Sorry, no ID. It was just off one of the trails in the Hendrie Valley of the Royal Botanical Gardens on Friday, September 25.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Amethyst Aster


Amethyst Aster
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

One of 111 species that I saw in bloom last week. This is a hybrid aster that is less common that most asters. I failed to recognize it at first as I don't see it every year and this was the first time I saw it this season.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Jimsonweed Opening


Jimsonweed Opening
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

This Datura stramonium, or Jimsonweed is trumpet-shaped when all the way open but looks more interesting when opening or closing. I found this one in the Royal Botanical Gardens in the Burlington, Ontario section not far from the Rose Garden.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Under a Rock


Under a Rock
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

Didn't have the time I wanted for International Rock Flipping Day yesterday but did get a few photos. I liked the "worm in the worm" look of the gut inside the earthworm under one of the rocks that I flipped. All the rocks that I flipped were around one of my wild flower gardens.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Ripening


Ripening
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

The soybeans are now ripening and will be ready for harvest in a few weeks. In 2006 they were being harvested in the first week of October.
www.flickr.com/photos/ontario_wanderer/263001822/

Saturday, September 19, 2009

International Rock Flipping Day

International Rock Flipping Day is tomorrow, Sunday, September 20. Sorry for the late notice!

Friday, September 18, 2009

Glowing In The Woods Today


Glowing In The Woods Today
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

Hard to believe that fungus can be so beautiful. This is "Chicken-in-the-Woods" or Laetiporus sulphureus. I often see this mushroom in the late summer but seldom as accessible as this.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Lopseed Macro


Lopseed Macro
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

Lopseed (Phryma leptostachya) has very small flowers that bloom in pairs that are 90 degrees from each other as they go up the stem. It blooms from June to August according to the books but this is a photo from September. The flowers are between 6 & 8 mm long.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Terry Fox Run - Brantford, Ontario


Terry Fox Run - Brantford, Ontario
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

I ran the 5 k course for the first time on the Terry Fox run. Usually I do 10 and try to collect money from others but this year I only donated a little money and did the 5 k. Better something than nothing I think. Did you run or donate?

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Lacewing


Lacewing
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

think this is a Lacewing of some kind. According to my field guide, there are 84 species in N.A. and they are very difficult to sort out.

I found this one near the Hamilton Waterfront Trail by accident while looking at a Goldenrod flower.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Memories of Kansas


Memories of Kansas
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

I remember that when my grandfather moved from the farm to town he stopped cutting down sunflowers in the fields and started planting them in his flower garden.
Guess what is in my garden here in Ontario?

Monday, September 07, 2009

Beans, Beans, Beans


Beans, Beans, Beans
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

Lots of farmland near us are in soybeans this year. We walk by this field every Sunday on our longer dog walk journey.

Saturday, September 05, 2009

Leroy is Looking Handsome


Leroy is Looking Handsome
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

Leroy's coat looks great these days because of lots of summer pasture. That being said, he is just starting to show some winter hair growth. He has become a lot more friendly over the year that we have had him and he is doing a great job of goat protection and herding.

Friday, September 04, 2009

Tree Farm


Tree Farm
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

Once a week I pass by this tree farm and enjoy the regular rhythm of the planted trees. When the early morning sun hits the trees, I find the lines very pleasing. Nice to know that they will be moving on to make some city lot look and feel better.

Thursday, September 03, 2009

Yellow Fields of September


Yellow Fields of September
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

Early morning view of our east meadow. If I had a tractor mower all this goldenrod would be cut so the animals could get at the grass. Meanwhile, I am using a weed whip to slowly cut some of it by hand. Cutting is not as bad as dealing with the mosquitoes that live there.