Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.)

Highbush Blueberries, a Philadelphia native

Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.)

The bell-shaped blossoms of the Highbush Blueberry are blooming in my garden.  This will be the first year of abundant blueberries. I planted two plants last year.






The plant is self-pollinating, but increases fruit-set  and the berries are earlier and has more seeds, if there are two to cross-pollinate. 

This plant is a native and occurs naturally throughout Eastern North America. It’s natural habitat is in wet areas, in and around marshes, swamps and lakes. But it also occurs in drier areas like dunes, barrier beaches, rocky hillsides, oak woods and pine woods. 

All this means that the Delaware Valley and Philadelphia is a natural habitat. Here we have wet areas around all the rivers, creeks and streams. And we have drier areas in the wooded rolling Piedmont area. 

The plant is not tolerant of shade but likes a sunny open spot. This means if you look for naturally occurring plants in natural places, that the plant will be found in open sunny places along watercourses or open meadows or woodland edges. 

Bees are the chief pollinators. The little bell-shaped flowers are short and allow insects with short tongues to easily access the nectar. 

I doubt I will get very many berries from my plants as the songbirds, game birds  and mammals love them.  I just hope for a small handful. 

Plant a tree, Shape the Future

Where would we be without trees? This news story on Chester High School students who planted 30 mostly native trees on the school campus, is more important then most people know.

For years environmental groups bemoaned the fact that so few "people of color" populated their ranks. But, with truthful insight, the groups realized that it was because the media, including their very own magazines and brochures, rarely featured faces that where shades of the beiges, tans, browns and deep chocolates that people come in.

The use of only Caucasian faces said to "minorities" that "this is not for you, stay away". This is not far-fetched given the exclusionary practices in the country in the past.

To give the environmental groups their credit, they have made big strides in changing this unfortunate situation.

Perhaps it was the appointment of Lisa Jackson as the first African-American to head up the Environmental Protection Agency, to spur on the many environmental stories that include "people of color". Believe me, they weren't there before.

It is good to see this. It is good to young people of color highlighted for good deeds, especially environmental good deeds. Because, so often it is the negative stereotypes that are given air time.

All of us belong to this Earth. And all of us need to be involved in taking care of this precious place we all call home.

Garlic Mustard (Allaria petiolata)

Garlic Mustard an invasive species in Philadelphia

I found just two Garlic Mustard plants in my garden this past week. This is the result of pulling the plant up year after year. It can be controlled by hand pulling. I use my Hori knife to get down to the roots and get as much of the plant out of the ground as possible. Garlic Mustard only spreads by seed, so removing the plant before it seeds, is the best way to eradicate it. The plants die after producing seed. 

Garlic Mustard is an invasive species that pops up all over Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley. It was probably bought to North America by early European settlers. 

I was in Fort Washington State Park last year on a bird walk and the plant was all over the place. It was in long groups along the trails. This was just the kind of place the plant thrives in shady areas and along streams. 

The park workers and volunteers ripped the plants out but more seem to pop each year. Perhaps at some point it will be eradicated.  From what I understand if you keep pulling it up , after five years it should be gone. After five years the seeds that are in the ground are no longer viable and won’t grow.

The space and soil nutrients that Garlic Mustard uses, take from a native plant that could be there instead. The plant quickly dominates the an area crowding out others. A native plant such as Coral Bells or Virginia Bluebells would provide nectar and fit in with the natural ecosystem. Native plants such as ferns can be planted to fill in so Garlic Mustard can not re-establish itself. 

I feel I am helping to restore and keep healthy the natural ecosystem that I live in.

Stephen Hawking, Aliens and Gratitude

I have been saying for years, "We don't need to take our show on the road because we can't get our act together down here."

Now Professor Stephen W. Hawking gives us something more to thnk about. Here is a quote from Professor Hawking from the April 26th, Christian Science Monitor Online.

"In a new Discovery Channel documentary to be aired in May, renowned astrophysicist Dr. Hawking suggests that with 100 billion galaxies in the universe it seems “perfectly rational” that aliens exist. While they are most probably microorganisms or basic animals, he suggests the threat posed by intelligent life forms, if they exist, could make reaching out to them “a little too risky.”

“We only have to look at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn’t want to meet. I imagine they might exist in massive ships, having used up all the resources from their home planet. Such advanced aliens would perhaps become nomads, looking to conquer and colonize whatever planets they can reach,” he said. “If aliens ever visit us, I think the outcome would be much as when Christopher Columbus first landed in America, which didn’t turn out very well for the native Americans.”

I think he makes a good point. And I think this last phrase struck an uncomfortable nerve with many people.

And I have always thought corporations want the U.S. government to pay for space exploration, so corporations can have access to a fresh supply of resources and make more money.

Many people don't want what continues to happen to indigenious people all over the world to happen to them. A fine example of "dishing it out, but not being able to take it."

Which brings me to my main point - Peace-loving people don't migrate to other areas. They stay home. And enjoy family, friends, celebrations and keeping a pleasant place to live. They have gratitiude for what they have.

When people migrate to other lands, it is because of factors that make life back home unpleasant. For peace-loving people to move, the natural ecosystem of their homeland would have to fail or they were being oppressed.

 If this is so, Why are so many Americans looking to go into space?

Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

The Red Columbine is so graceful and so lovely. I took this photograph in my garden. The late afternoon sun was sinking in the sky and the soft light illuminated the form of the blossom. 

I was first attracted to this plant when I saw a stand of yellow Columbine growing in the shade of a house here in Philadelphia. I wanted to grow the beautiful hanging flowers in my own garden. 

In my garden, it is among the earliest bloomers. The hanging blossoms attract hummingbirds to the sweet nectar within. Long-tongued hummingbirds and bees are it’s pollinators. Red Columbine blooms from March to July, which is a good long time for a plant. 

This native plant looks delicate but is quite hardy and can live 2-5 years. I have seen it growing out of what seems to be solid rock. The seeds of the plant probably lodged in a pocket of soil and just start growing. The plant readily reseeds. So, if you plant it in a good spot it may drop seeds for many years and a stand of the plants may live for along time, multiplying and spreading.

Red Columbine is native to eastern and central North America.  It is endangered in Florida. The plant can be found in rich, moist woods to rocky outcroppings.

The species which is pictured here has naturally red and yellow flowers. The garden cultivars focus on changing the shades of yellow and red. It is a easily found in garden centers and even big box home improvement stores.

Earth Day - #40

Rhododendron, originally uploaded by donnallong.

Earth Day can be a day of gratitude, respect and thanksgiving.

It is a day to ponder how we are nothing without the Earth. How we are bags of water walking around on a blue-green planet covered with water.

What a thing to ponder. Water bags on a water planet.

How long have we been asleep? How long have we avoided the truth of who we are?

I wake up in the morning and I give thanks.

I give thanks for the life that is in all living beings.
I give thanks for the good things we have.
I give thanks that I have a chance to grow a little bit each day.

Wado.

A Rhododendron in my garden.

Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica)

Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica), originally uploaded by donnallong.

Carpenter Bees have inhabited these wooden benches for the past thirteen years that I have passed by them.

They are big bees, flying energetically in the weak sunshine of the early spring. Their food consists of flower nectar. Sometimes they cut a hole in the base of the flower and sip nectar through the hole.

When I took this photo, they were flying in a group. I suppose they hibernate in the wooden benches over the winter. They have must have nest tunnels dug deep into the wood.

These bees excavate their own nest tunnels in wood rather than use preexisting cavities made by other animals. To do this, the bees have very powerful jaws.

These bees can sting but rarely do.

I like seeing the Carpenter Bees each spring. It is nice to know that they have a home year after year and that they haven't been evicted like so many animals are.

Humans cut down and dig up places where birds, insects, mammals and other animals live without the slight thought to the lives of others.

But, thank goodness things are changing. And we are returning to the way we were in the past. We have probably made our ancestors proud. And maybe even relieved.

Nature in Watercolor

The Best Books for Keeping an Art-filled Nature Journal

Keeping a Nature Journal by Clare Walker Leslie and Charles Roth

This is the best and the standard by which all other books on nature journaling are judged. Clare Walker Leslie is the "queen of nature journaling". If you like to draw and sketch nature then this book will delight you.

Not only do the authors provide basic information on how to keep a nature journal, but the pages are full of sketches by Clare Walker Leslie and other nature journal keepers.

It was the books of Clare Walker Leslie that got me started down the road of my obsession with nature journaling.





Drawn to Nature by Clare Walker Leslie


The small, square book is filled with examples from Clare Walker Leslie's nature journals. I like her drawings and sketches. They are not too complicated or complex.
Even those who aren't artists will be inspired to try their hand are sketch what hey see.









The Watercolorists Nature Journal by Jill Bays

This lovely book from Jill Bays reminds me of the Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden that was published perhaps twenty years ago.

The artwork looks like Beatrix Potter's art too. It has that British nature watercolor look.

The book covers the basics of watercolor.  It has season-by-season tips on capturing what you see in the world around you.







Creating Nature in Watercolor by Cathy Johnson

Cathy Johnson has provided the nature journal community with delicious books to read for many years. This book is no exception.

I always liked her style. She uses colored pencil in combination with watercolor to produce a sketchy rendering of whatever she is capturing on paper.

She sketches in nature the way I like to, first you draw, then you fill in the color.







The Art of Field Sketching by Clare Walker Leslie

Another classic from Clare Walker Leslie. It this book that got me started nature journaling. I bought this and her book, Nature Drawing, when they were first published and I haven't looked back since.

Each title is filled with example of nature drawings and sketches from people who took Ms. Walker's nature journaling workshops and prominent professional artists.

Ms. Walker always inspires in what keeping a nature journal can do.

Both The Art of Field Sketching and Nature Drawing are out-of-print but are available used on Amazon.com.



Illustrating Nature by Irene Brady

If you are responsible for creating drawing for a local nature organization then this book can be a real help.

Irene Brady teaches you how to create professional-looking nature illustrations of publishable quality.

She explains the all the technical details that an illustrator needs to know.

Even if you don't plan to publish your illustrations, her tips and techniques can help you improve the look and layout of your nature journal pages.

Addicted

Canada Geese, originally uploaded by donnallong.

It's been a rough week with meetings, deadlines, classes to teach. But, I made it through. I did not journal this week and I am feeling antsy and keyed up.

Each day, I'd get to my job and realize, I'd left my nature journal at home. And every evening I'd return home, and forget to put my nature journal in my bag. Then I'd go to work the next day and realize... The whole week went this way.

I usually journal on my morning tea break. I write down the weather and almanac information from the "local section" of the Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper. Then I write down what I notice on the way to my job. Well, this week the pages are bare and boy am I feeling it.

I wouldn't wish this situation on anyone.

So, this post includes a nature photo I took a few weeks ago. These Canada Geese are taking a drink from a puddle of water in a mall parking lot. A man tossed the birds some bread.

For some reason this photo kind of sums up this past week.

Berries soon?

Look at the buds on my Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) shrub in my backyard. The Highbush Blueberry is native to my region. I planted two bushes two years ago. It had tiny, not very edible berries on the bush last year.

Maybe just maybe I will get a few blueberries this year. The birds will probably get them first. Basically, because I don't plan on draping netting over the bushes and I have to work all day. The birds work for a good part of the day, but most of that is outside. And some of that time is spent in my garden.

The cards are stacked against me.

Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum)

The Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum). I saw these umbrella-shaped leaves peaking up from the woodland floor. They look like umbrella for fairies and woodland sprites.

The clear white bloom will have 6-9 waxy petals. The blooms are not on top of the leaves but hidden underneath. I usually have to crawl on my belly to take a snapshot of the pretty round flower.

Virginina Bluebells (Mertensia virginica)

Virginia Bluebells, originally uploaded by donnallong.

The Virginina Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) are open. Lovely. They have to be one of my favorite flowers.

Virginia Bluebells

Virginia Bluebells, originally uploaded by donnallong.

These Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) grow in the shaded place under by back porch. I planted them last year. They are native to the Philadelphia region.

I bought a pot of the Bluebells last year at the Bowman's Hill Plant Sale. Twice each year the reserve has a plants sale where they sell native plants for the SE Pennsylvania region.

The Bluebells are truly lovely. The pink-violet color of the young buds will become a heavenly lavender-blue. The mature open flowers are trumpet shaped. I'll post a photo when they bloom.

They grow in colonies in rich woodlands. Bluebells carpet the woodland floor and  light up the understory in the woods of the Bowman's Hill Reserve in New Hope, PA.

Trout Lilly leaves

Trout Lilly leaves, originally uploaded by donnallong.

The Trout Lilly (Erythronium americanum)leaves are peaking out among the leaf litter. The beautiful blooms can't be far behind. By the brown mottling on the leaves I think that this is the yellow flowered Trout Lilly. The white Trout Lilly are less mottled. But, I could be wrong. Well the blossom will tell.

The flower is a pretty yellow trumpet-shaped blossom.

What I can't understand sometimes is why humans look to far away lands for garden flowers, when we have so many beautiful ones right here close to home.

I guess it is novelty. Or a need to mimic the rich Europeans of centuries past who flaunted their wealth by planting their gardens with evermore exotic flowers. Or is it simply discontentment. And not appreciating what we have?

The Skunk Cabbage are in bloom

In wet marshy woodlands and swamps a curious plant is peaking up from the wet, moist soil. The Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) sprouts so early in spring that the heat of the plant’s cellular respiration from its rapid growth actually melts the surrounding ice and snow.

The large egg-shaped leaves rise not from a stalk but directly from the soil. The leaves unfurl and shade the odd-looking flower beneath it. You can just see the small purplish-brown flower in the photo above.

The purplish-brown flower blooms from February to May. The purplish-brown hood is the spathe. The pale yellow knobby thing in the flower is the spadix. The spadix is covered with tiny flowers.

The Common Yellowthroat Warbler sometimes nest in the central hollows of the large leaves. Sowbugs and millipedes are often seen on the decaying spathes.

Wood ducks, Ruffled Grouse, Ring-necked Pheasants and Northern Bobwhites feed on the seeds. The Skunk Cabbage is the first pollen source in spring for honeybees.