A Variety from August August 29th, 2017

It's been a while. Time to dust off my blog and put something new on it. I haven't been out with a camera in nature for awhile so this is a mix of garden shots, a few from the path, and a few miscellaneous.

Two young bunnies have joined our backyard zoo... cute as buttons.

 

One of them posing with our stone duck.

Late summer colour.

I just love these guys. True entertainers.

Our garden boy has been part of garden 'forever'. Huck Finn? Tom Sawyer?

Subtle colors on  Sedum.

Protecting his tiny bird.

Our happy elf has been part of our garden forever too.

Limelight Hydrangea

  

Some of our favourite places.

The chipmunks and squirrels do leave some seed for the birds, but they definitely get their share.

Obedient Plant. Obedient to what I have no idea.

Deep, rich pink Phlox.

Have tried many feeders over the years. These are one of only a few that have proven to be squirrel-proof. When a squirrel sits on the ring-perch, its weight closes the feed holes. The smaller chipmunks manage to grab a bite or two.

Outside a building in Oshawa... a bench specifically made from phones I guess. Good to see.

Haven't seen this kind of thing since I was a kid. Thousands of ants gathering. RJ spotted them across the street from our place. They were on the curb. Not sure what it was all about. I thought maybe some pop or something was spilled but couldn't see anything.

My kind of humour. I love this.

Hopscotch in the driveway.

After getting the garden shots, we went for a walk on the path. Not doing that very often lately either. The Himalayan Balsam has been out for awhile so it's fading quickly. An invasive, but a pretty one. Like Jane said, 'Most of the invasives are pretty.' 

BTW, the following shots were taken with my phone. It doesn't have a fancy camera like so many do today.

Dryad's Saddle

A poor shot... it was windy but it gives you an idea of what a Japanese Beetle looks like.

And this is the damage they do to leaves... called skeletonizing.

Another invasive. There seems to be more and more Dog-strangling Vine every year. And the 1000s of pods mean more is coming.















 

Haven't shot a tree tunnel for awhile. They always look inviting.

Japanese Knotweed... yet another invasive. But again, a pretty one, with its blossoms perched above its leaves.

Tar Spot on leaves. Harmless, but ugly. Maples are especially susceptible to it.

Black Walnut trees have been spreading along the path for years now. They've become one of the most common trees on the path. They don't bear fruit for 4 or 5 years but more and more of them are reaching that age. The squirrels couldn't be happier. I even bring a few home for our squirrels, but Jane is discouraging me. :-( They do exude juglone which is poisonous to some plants. Not a concern for humans they say.

Take care all. Please send us some pics from your end.

Bob & Jane
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