In the Yard – Page 38

Naming the Weeds

June 28, 2012Rae Spencer3 Comments

This weed has always grown in our yard, but I never bothered to look it up because I assumed it was wild strawberry. The little red fruits seemed so distinctive. Yesterday, as I searched for a link to include with this post, I realized that the yellow flowers are all wrong. Wild strawberry should have white flowers. After reading more online and consulting my old wildflower guide, I now believe this is Indian Mock-Strawberry.

(I would love a little help with this one. Please comment with corrections or confirmation!)

A Lovely Pest

June 27, 2012Rae SpencerLeave a comment

I believe these are Japanese Beetles. Every year I see a handful of them, but only a handful. They hang around for a month or two, mating in the roses and stripping a few leaves off the crepe myrtle. Then they disappear.

Fortunately, they have not become a major problem in our yard. The worst part of having them around, for me, is the worry. I watch and wait, dreading the possibilities. Wondering if this will be the summer that our modest population of beetles spawns a hungry swarm…

Hobby or Obsession?

June 26, 2012Rae Spencer14 Comments

What should I call my fascination with dragonflies? What if I never get tired of looking for them, never get tired of taking their pictures and learning their names? Years from now, stiff in the knees with cloudy eyes and foggy mind, will I continue to chase every glittering flash of wing?

What will it mean, if I do get tired of them?

Territorial Dragonflies

June 24, 2012Rae Spencer3 Comments

This pondhawk moved into the corner iris bed today, defending its claim against all intruders. It even challenged the lawnmower, darting and swooping around the noisy engine.

The irises’ blue dashers retreated into other beds, seemingly content with the new order of things.

Cold Front

June 22, 2012Rae Spencer6 Comments

As I wandered the yard with my camera, a cool breeze fell out of these clouds. A short time later, the breeze whipped into indecisive gusts, some lashing north to south, others tumbling west to east.