June flowers and a fallen willow

By on 7-23-2010 in art quilts, Fabric Postcards, Original Pattern, Original photos

A very pretty ground cover grows under our Chinese elm tree. The variegated leaves below the flowers gives the photo a painted look….the photo was taken from above in the shade of the elm.

flowering ground cover

This wild asparagus plant has been growing for over 40 years. We had a little dog that used to seek it out and chomp it down as quickly as it could grow, she loved it. It grows into this huge tall fern every year and this year it has numerous blossoms.

wild asparagus flower

These little bells give a misty quality to the photo, so many different shades of green.

fallen elm

Our weeping willow still has one living side, for how long I don’t know….it is one of my favourite trees. It is over 40 years old as well. Poor old tree has been hit several times by lightning, lost large limbs during the ice storm in 1998 and the half that is missing was blown down during a winter wind storm. It would make a good subject for a landscape quilt.

Nature collages….series of four

By on 7-23-2010 in art quilts, Fabric Postcards, Original Pattern, Original photos

collage

Number four of the series. The forest collage was done with a rock background coloured green on the bottom half and blue on the top half with a transparency. I layered maple tree flowers, mushrooms, fern and a piece of bark. This was moved onto another background of spruce boughs which was lightened.

river rocks

Number three of the series. This collage started with a filtered photo of Ottawa River rocks, then a sky of migrating Canada Geese moved onto it.

canada geese on moon

Number 2 of the series. The same sky of migrating geese was moved onto a full moon background and made transparent. An unusual time to see geese flying.

birch tree and moon

Number 1 of the series. This stand of birch trees was filtered and then moved onto the same full moon and then made transparent. A very eerie collage.

Spring season surprises….wild violets, a huge fungus and maple bubbles

By on 7-23-2010 in art quilts, Fabric Postcards, Original Pattern, Original photos

wild violet

Wild violets have grown in a damp patch of lawn. What a wonderful surprise they are. I love wild flowers. The violet flower seems to almost be floating in this photo.

fungus on tree

I have been capturing photos of this fungus since early spring, watching it grow into this huge clump on an old tree stump. A very fascinating plant that grew from what looked almost like a square stump of last year’s growth. The different hues of brown and cream are very pretty.

froth on maple after rain

One day when the rain was streaming, our maple tree had these bubbles forming at the base, close to the ground. The bubbles were running down the trunk of the tree with the rain. How odd. I’ve never seen anything like it before and this tree is well over 30 years old. If anybody recognizes it please leave a message.

wild violets

Another photo of the wild violets. They are so tiny and I almost stepped on them the other day. I have marked them so they get a chance to finish blooming before cutting that bit of grass. I don’t think they would be there except for the extra rain we have had this spring.

Plum blossoms…the most delicate of flowers

By on 7-23-2010 in art quilts, Fabric Postcards, Original Pattern, Original photos

plum blossoms

Our plum tree is the first fruit tree to blossom….and the first to lose them. This tree was planted by an errant seed and shouldn’t actually be growing this far north. It has only kept it’s blossoms long enough to produce plums once. Normally rain as in this year or frost will take them before they are ready to go. Plum flowers cluster in groups and become spectacular if only for a week.

red parrot tulip

Parrot tulips are my favourites. This red tulip with it’s shades of yellow throughout the center as well as traces in the petals looks like silk shining in the sun.

yellow tulip

Another parrot, which is just starting to open. Later in the day its petals will be flat rather than upright in a normal tulip. It is very showy and delicate. I love this bright shade of yellow….like the sun it is reflecting.

May tulips and lilies take the place of April crocus

By on 7-23-2010 in art quilts, Fabric Postcards, Original Pattern, Original photos

The sun is shining and spring is warming into summer…the crocus, sadly are gone, in their place are red and yellow tulips and white lilies.
E lily

These lilies are very delicate and will be gone in about two days. Rain, when first blooming decreased their life span substantially.

red tulip

This red tulip, almost in full bloom caught my eye with it’s yellow streaks throughout its petals.

yellow tulip

There is always one in the mix that is different. The rest of the yellow tulips are parrot tulips with big floppy petals. This one of a kind has a much lighter tone and reminds me more of a rose colour. It is growing right in the middle of the other yellow tulips and stands out as an individual.

A summer alarm clock….when did they learn to knock on metal pipe ?

By on 7-23-2010 in art quilts, Fabric Postcards, Original Pattern, Original photos

yellow bellied sap sucker

Our resident Yellow Bellied Sap Sucker is back for the summer. He will knock on any metal around the yard including the aluminum step ladder. He sure makes a noise ! And does it carry ! I’m sure you can hear him for miles

yellow bellied sap sucker

I have three questions. The first…. how and when did they learn to knock on metal instead of trees to announce their presence? The second…..How do they manage to keep their bills in good shape….that’s gotta hurt !! The third….Do they ever get a headache?