Frolicking Fish

For the last month or so, I've been dealing with algae bloom in my pond. It was so bad, I couldn't see more than a few inches down into the water. Things are slowly clearing up and visibility is improving greatly! I think my three goldfish appreciate the clear water, as they have been swimming at or very near the surface for the past few days. I've been adding fish flakes to the pond since I installed it, but this is the first time the fish have swum up to eat it... practically out of my hand!

Oh, and if anyone needs some mosquito fish (gambusia affinis) come on over and help yourself. My initial four have multiplied to, I'm guessing here, approx. 70 or 80. No kidding. Each female is capable of giving birth to 60 live young. There are fish of different sizes so I'm assuming they are of different ages... which leads me to believe at least two females have given birth. Sheesh.

We've been having quite warm temperatures lately... into the mid 90s. My garden is just starting to finish it's crazy bloom. My roses from last year are already suffering from the heat. I might have to pull them out and try something more sturdy in their place. But for now, it looks quite pretty. 

Here are two friendly visitors to the pond. They come back daily and always seem to land on "their" perches.

My iceberg roses and white hollyhock about three weeks ago. The hollyhock has almost finished it's bloom, and is now over 9 feet tall.

 Blue mist flower is still attracting butterflies!

Look at the shape of this amazing fungus!

I love this wonderful color combination that only nature could provide... bright yellow yarrow I planted last year blooms happily amongst  the self-seeded blue mist flower.

Nature is such a marvel!  I have so much to look at and so many things that bring me pleasure and joy... from the butterflies, dragonflies, lizards, snakes, and spiders to flowers I carefully tend and flowers that nature has sent from seed.

Oh, and I can't forget my three frolicking goldfish!

Butterflies Flutter By

What a gorgeous day  for communing with the butterflies! Wow, they are really out in force today. I find it difficult to go inside the house as they are fluttering all around my back garden! It helps that the green belt behind our house is blooming with hundreds of gaillardia (blanket flower) and my own garden is in full manic bloom right now. But I also put out some butterfly bait and they seem to be enjoying it!

How cool is this? Just sliced oranges on a wire and in a bird feeder tray.
Give it a try...

I'm going to set out a plate of sliced watermelon now... I've read they love that also! I'll keep ya'll posted!

Good Bunny!

Good bunnies have been spotted in my garden!

These lovely bunnies like to sit in quiet corners of my garden, silently enjoying the fluttering of butterfly wings, buzzing of the bees and zipping of the hummingbirds visiting the bright flowers of my garden.

They are thoughtful bunnies and would never dare to snack on my newly planted flowers or rose bushes. They would never stoop so low as to taste the fresh new leaves of a recently sprouted vegetable plant. They respect the garden!

These bunnies are patient bunnies. They have been known to move about the garden as their view gets overgrown and the open space around them gets smaller and smaller. They don't mind the opportunity to get to know their new surroundings and they wait patiently for something exciting to happen close by.

These bunnies are well-behaved bunnies. They don't like to give chase to two crazed border collies. They would never tear through the garden, pop through the fence, and watch the mayhem from the other side.
They are calm and mature bunnies.


Perhaps you have good bunnies in your garden too?

Or do you have naughty bunnies?

Austin Art Yard Tour 2012

Saturday April 14th

Austin has it's own inimitable style, and our yards and gardens are no exception.
Check out Austin Art Yard Tour 2012. More than 30 yards will be showcased in and around Austin. As of today, the official website for the tour takes note of yards that have been invited to participate but not yet confirmed, yards you may stop by and chat with the creator, and yards that are drive-by only.
Here's their info:
http://austinartyards.com/yards.htm

Some of the installations, it must be said, look like someone just piled up their beer bottles and bowling balls; one features mannequin heads and crutches; one is truly a "cathedral of junk".

Not your typical garden tour.

1511 Suffolk Drive (photo Google Drive-by)

402 El Paso Street art bridge (photo Google Drive-by)

I SPY . . .

I went out on my back deck to sip my coffee this morning, and what should I spy with my little eye? Something that starts with an L.

Or is it WL?

Alright, anyway...  it's another water lily! But this is my first bloom from my Moon Dance water lily. It's the very pretty white flower in the foreground.
In the background you can see a fresh new Colorado bloom.

I just fertilized the plants yesterday, and noticed many buds growing from these two plants. Nothing yet from my third... can't remember the name of that one, and the water is a tad murky with algae bloom right now for me to peek at the label. Will have to let you know on that one.

I've been taking so many pictures of the garden lately, I forgot to charge my battery. I just managed to squeeze this one off before the camera died.
I will try to take more tomorrow, and wait for better light.

But ain't she per-tee?

Bluebonnet Portrait Time!

It didn't start out as a portrait session.

 It was meant to be me, with my camera, in the field behind our house, taking photos of the wildflowers.
What I ended up with were portraits of my "kids" in the blue bonnets.

Isn't that what every good Texan does... takes pictures of their children in the wildflowers?

Who says Border Collies can't sit still?

 

I think they quite enjoyed this! 

 ... and they're off!

Here's what I went for:

Party lights are hung... where's the party?

My son and I purchased some party lights and  solar japanese lanterns from my all-time funnest and favorite-ist store ever (bulls eye logo) yesterday. Got them hung and they are shimmering beautifully tonight. Couldn't resist sharing. But where's the party? Y'all are welcome anytime!

My Louisiana iris is blooming... so pretty! Can you see the adorable solar dragonfly planted in the iris' pot? It cycles through different colors. In the pic below it is red.