Asiatic Lily

Neighbor Carla has the most gorgeous Asiatic Lily in her gardens. And, yes, I must photograph it every year. I never tire of its beauty. Of course, it was a breezy day, and I took forever to photograph it in all its glory. Here are a few of the more successful photos I captured. Enjoy!

You might wonder why it takes so long to photograph a flower on a windy day. Why not just snap a photo? Well, when doing macrophotography, you must have absolute stillness or you get a blurry photo. So, I wait patiently, continually focusing on the flower, until I see it stop moving, then I snap a few photos as fast as I can (which, in order to get more depth of field, takes several seconds per photo as the shutter does its thing.) Any movement that occurs during that time yields a blurry photo. 

Books in Boothbay & Pat Lammers' book, "The Praying Mantis"

Neighbor Carla and I went to the Books in Boothbay: Maine's Summer Book Fair to peruse books written by Maine authors. We attended the morning session that specialized in children's books. We were there for an entire hour, chatting with the authors/illustrators, and buying book, after book, after book! Each book was autographed, and some had nice notes written to the receiver. I bought books for several of my friends' kids and had a blast!

One of the major reasons for attending the Book Fair was to support our friend, Pat Lammers, who had previously been interviewed on Channel 6's "207" show, about her first book titled, "The Praying Mantis." The book was illustrated by the extremely talented Ben Bishop, and is a fun (and factual) look at the life of the Praying Mantis. It would be great for the elementary school classroom to add a bit of sciencey fun. I bought the book, did you? Subliminal message: Buy the book, buy the book, buy the book... you'll love it! I know I do;-)

Red Squirrel Pup

It is that time of year when the baby squirrels start bee bopping around on their own. We usually have 3 or 4 baby squirrels frolicking around the trees and stumps, but this year there is only one baby. But, he/she sure is a cute one!

Glamini Gladiolus

I planted Glamini Gladiolus bulbs, Dutch gladioli that only grow to about 24" tall, and do not need staking, in pots that I put on the various stumps around the front yard.  I have been patiently waiting for signs that they are going to bloom, and I am happy to say that the front stump glads all have flower stalks. Yahoo!

Dianthus

I have a love affair with all things pink! Dianthus are some of my favorite flowers, especially the pinks that I have planted in the primary stump garden, atop the stump. They are perennials that bloom most of the summer season, and they add so much color to the stump.

Black-eyed Susan

I adore Black-eyed Susan flowers. I love watching large groupings of them change from tightly closed flower buds to fully formed flowers. It has been interesting to watch them as they have transported themselves from one garden to the next. For the last seven years they have populated the secondary stump garden, yet this year there are clumps of Black-eyed Susans throughout the main stump garden, where they are thriving. I guess they needed a few more hours of daily sunshine.

Roses are red...

I love roses. Unfortunately, we just don't get enough light into our yard for roses to bloom. So, over the last few years, I have been transplanting my rose bushes into Neighbor Ernie and Carla's yard. At least I can visit them and revel in the glory of their beauty and scent. I still have three more rose bushes/stems to move, and that will occur next year. As for now...enjoy!

Cucumber Plants

Up Left-Female Flower                            Up Right-Cucumber
Low Left-Pistil on Female            Low Right-Stamen on Male

I am worried that there isn't enough insect activity to properly pollinate the female cucumber flowers, as I am not seeing any growth of the tiny cukes. Thus far, my largest cucumber measures 2.3 cm long (just shy of an inch.) I think I will have to get my trusty pollinating paint brush out to assist with the process. The Gardening Know How website has more information on hand pollinating cucumber flowers. (Click on the photo for a larger view.)

Common St. John's Wort

I found this plant growing in the middle of my sunny garden, along with my day lilies, balloon flowers, echinacea, etc. Common St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is so distinctive with the black dots along the edges of the flower petals. You will find this plant "along trails, roads, and in fields or open woods." Dwelley, Marilyn  J. Summer & Fall Wildflowers of New England. Camden, Maine: Down East Books, 2004. Print.

City Pickers Veggie Garden - Cucumber Blossoms

We have cucumbers!

There will soon be flowers on all the plants with cucumbers situated behind the flowers.

Okay, maybe they are tiny at about 2cm long,but they are cukes! Yahooo!