Sphinx or Hawk moth, about the size of a hummingbird. Perhaps it is the patron moth for a garden of a Jungian analyst (me!)— a sphinx moth! Otherwise unnoticed, she mysteriously shines in the flash of the camera as she searches for nectar from lavender, Lot Goatsong. These moths work primarily at twilight or night…. Read more »
Mistakes: Butterfly Capers
If you look closely, you can see several monarchs in this butterfly bush in our garden. Butterfly bushes are touted as good plants to draw pollinators, but there are better, more balanced alternatives. I am not sure you would call it a big mistake, but upon attending the Geography of Hope seminar at the native… Read more »
Neptune’s trident behind a small but strident goat. I know this flower as Neptune’s trident, although there are several other common names. It comes late spring along with the Mariposa tulip, a member of the lily family. It too is part of the natural biodiversity here, both supporting our native pollinators. We wait to mow areas… Read more »
Miner’s lettuce A few years ago Judith Lowry Larner consulted with us about the native plants on our land. We want to support their populations, as they provide important habitat for native pollinators, honey bees, and many other animals. As Biodynamic farmers we work for diversity, and our native plants are an important part of… Read more »
Coastal oak flower bunches about to bloom. This week will determine a lot about the coastal oak acorn harvest this year. We are having late rains (we are not complaining!) and the coastal oak blossoms are about to open. The last years our rains have come in March and into April, and this year is… Read more »
Although the dry winter has also meant fewer wildflowers this year, we can always count on the prolific California buttercup. Its sunny blossoms skip through much of the landscape and last a surprising amount of time throughout the spring. California Buttercup blooms The bad news? They are listed as poisonous to our goats! Fortunately the… Read more »
Her earliest leaf’s a flower, but only so an hour. (Frost)Opening bud of a native buckeye tree, whose later blooms arepoisonous to honey bees. Many years ago I assisted my ecology/botany sister in her research on native prairie restoration in the Midwest. My job that day was to sit in a square yard of space… Read more »
 Pollinator Watching! The coyote bushes, in full bloom, are abuzz these sunny days with many visitors! Native plants provide important sources of pollen for native pollinators and honey bees alike. Honey bee visiting coyote bush. Buckeye Butterfly rests under coyote bush. Not a pollinator, but she’s been” hanging out” here for a couple… Read more »
© 2024 Patricia Damery.
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