Yesterday, I had to consult Wikipedia to find out if Led Zeppelin was a person or a band. What I really wanted to know was why a spleenwort is the cover art for disc three of the 1990 Led Zeppelin Boxed Set. Continue reading “Led Zeppelin’s Spleenwort”
Last night’s quick storm left evidence, but mostly of the subtle kind. We didn’t have to leap over any downed hackberry trees on our morning dog-walk. We did step on confetti, and lots of it.
Crepe myrtle wins as leading indicator of subtle disturbance because blooms are at their peak, and the neighborhood—and the city, and the South—has plenty of crepe myrtle. The flowers are available to be ripped in quantities and spun where directed. Red, pink and white confetti line streets and sidewalks, and in more than one lawn lie atop as if sprinkled by a careful hand. Continue reading “Crepe Myrtle Confetti After a Storm”
The day after July 4th is a let-down because of the firework tents. Fireworks are legal to sell in Wilson County, so that’s where we go to buy. Most of June, there’s a retail tent at each big intersection, as well as at intersections big only to folks who have to cross them every day. Till yesterday, the tents were lined with tables decked with patriotic skirting, and full of customers buying armloads of flammable goodies. Tax is figured on solar calculator or iPad, depending on demographic of the seller. Continue reading “Couchville Cedar Glade 7/5/16”
There’s a story here.
I think the feather came first: blown by wind, stuck by rain. Tufted titmouse is my guess from the grey, white and peach. Did it meet the feral cat I’ve seen slink past this very railing?
The annual cicada must have emerged last night when the rain softened packed yard dirt. It chose this spot to pop free from its old skin and try the new one with wings.
I hope the bird can still fly, too.
Yesterday’s Division of Natural Areas hike was at a glade new to me: John and Hester Lane Cedar Glade. Look what happens to a cedar thicket after a managed burn:
I’ve never seen so many prairie coneflower (Ratibida pinnata) in one place.
How long had those seeds slept in shade till freed by fire? Continue reading “John and Hester Lane Cedar Glade (6/25/16)”
This is my husband’s favorite driveway-crack flower because it is truly blue. Blue wildflowers usually lean toward violet or lavender or purple, but not this thing.
We’re talking Giotto fresco blue. Or Crayola crayon blue.
Continue reading “Driveway-Crack Flowers: true blue”Before it’s gone, here’s another volunteer in the cracks of our driveway: Venus’s looking glass, Triodanis perfoliata. It’s in the bellflower family, and if it were a bell, it would tinkle rather than peal because the flowers are about the size of a fingernail (a fingernail that gardens and plays with Lego). And, it’s native. Continue reading “Driveway-Crack Flowers: Venus’s Looking Glass”
Tuesday morning was so beautiful I kept driving after I dropped the kid at school. Ended up at my favorite magnet: Couchville Cedar Glade. Continue reading “Couchville Cedar Glade 5/24/16”
Catalpas are in full bloom in Nashville. These are the big trees with leaves like giant hearts; with flowers like white, ruffled bells; and pretty soon, with dangling pods like green cigars. Hearts, bells, cigars. Catalpas bring out the similes. Continue reading “Catalpa flowers”
Holy pollen, I’ve lived next door to a white pine for years and hadn’t noticed the flowers till today. Now is prime bloom time, so where is your nearest white pine? Surely there is one, or a dozen close by. They are natives here, but are widely planted as ornamentals and as living privacy fences. Continue reading “White Pine “Flowers””
SIDEWALK NATURE 