Macro Monday

Milkweed seedpods: Monochrome & Macro Monday

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Milkweed seedpods are beautiful and unique. Milkweed, Asclepias spp., is well-known for attracting monarch butterflies. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are attracted to this plant’s flowers. They produce abundant nectar.

milkweed seedpods

In the fall, milkweed seedpods mature and split open. The seeds inside are attached to white floss called coma. This floss allows them to be carried long distances by the wind.

Fun fact: During World War II, when the supply of kapok was cut off by Japan, milkweed floss was used as a substitute to fill life jackets.

Monochrome Monday

Macro Monday

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Cattleya orchid up close: Macro Monday & FOTD

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I saw this purple Cattleya orchid up close at the Volunteer Park Conservatory in Seattle recently.

Cattleya orchid

This plant is part of a collection started by a donation from Anna Clise in 1921. Her donation inspired others to donate their plant collections as well.

Macro Monday

Flower of the Day (FOTD)

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Cactus close up: Macro Monday & FOTD

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This cactus close up picture was taken at Volunteer Park Conservatory in Seattle. The cactus was only a few inches tall. Its scientific name, Gymnocalycium fleischerianum, posted on a stake nearby, was bigger than the plant. 😉

Cactus close up

Macro Monday

Flower of the Day (FOTD)

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Iceplants in California up close: MM & FOTD

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I saw these iceplants in California up close at Leffingwell Landing Park. This plant, Carpobrotus chilensis, is known as an iceplant or sea fig.

yellow flower

Iceplants in California are considered an invasive species. It is native to South Africa. The iceplants form dense mats in habitats near the sea. The picture below shows them growing under pine trees.

I was a little puzzled when I noticed they had some flowers that were pink, and others that were yellow. Then I read about how the flowers start out yellow and fade to pink. Interesting…

iceplants in California

Macro Monday (MM)

Flower of the Day (FOTD)

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Checkerspot butterfly up close: MM & FOWC

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I took pictures of this checkerspot butterfly up close on Winter Ridge in Oregon. I believe it’s a Anicia Checkerspot, Euphydryas anicia, based on the description on the Butterflies of Oregon website.

Anicia checkerspot

It’s a beautiful checkerspot butterfly on its own, but I noticed it blended in really well with its environment. Can you see how all the colors on the butterfly’s wings are also in the lichens on the rock? Was it just a coincidence, or did it land here on purpose? Hmm…

butterfly on boulder

Macro Monday (MM)

Fandango’s One Word Challenge (FOWC)

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Pink & white tulip up close: Macro Monday

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This photo shows a beautiful pink & white tulip up close.

pink & white tulip

This particular flower is special because it’s the only one the resident mule deer have not eaten.

“Who, me?”

Macro Monday

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Dwarf purple monkeyflower up close: MM

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Today I’m sharing a couple photos of a dwarf purple monkeyflower up close. This tiny flower is blossoming now in my High Desert yard near Bend, Oregon. They bloom from May to August. In years with ample precipitation, this plant produces branches bearing dozens of flowers.

dwarf purple monkeyflower

The dwarf purple monkeyflower, Diplacus nanus or Mimulus nanus, is a native plant that grows in parts of California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Montana, and Wyoming. It grows in sagebrush-steppe and open pine forest habitats.

To show just how small they are, I photographed two plants next to a quarter.

Monkeyflowers

Macro Monday (MM)

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Petunias up close: MM & FOTD

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Here’s a picture of Petunias up close I took last summer. These delicate looking blossoms have a powerful, sweet scent.

Petunias up close

Macro Monday (MM)

Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Arrowheads up close: Macro Monday

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This photo showing arrowheads up close was taken at Petersen Rock Garden & Museum. This unique roadside attraction is in Redmond, Oregon.

arrowheads up close

Macro Monday

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Petersen rocks up close: Macro Monday

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Here is a close up view of some Petersen rocks. I took this picture at Petersen Rock Garden and Museum in Redmond, Oregon. This unique roadside attraction has small-scale buildings and landscaping covered with local rocks.

Peterson rocks

To learn more about this attraction, see my previous post. It includes LOTS of photos!

Macro Monday

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Cat’s eye up close: Macro Monday

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Here is a photo of my cat’s eye up close. She likes to sit on my lap every time I sit down so I thought I might as well take her picture.

Cat's eye

As cat’s age, the color of their irises changes and they may have a “lacy” pattern. The edge of the black pupil can also become less sharp and distinct. My Pixie-Bob cat is fourteen and a half.

Macro Monday

Glass from the Past: LAPC & MM

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Today I’m sharing some of my green glass from the past. It’s nice to collect things you can actually use.

The first piece is a beater/measuring cup that’s practical and pretty. The Art Deco-style measuring cup also makes a nice display piece without the beater on top.

The next piece is a large cake plate with geometric patterns. It works great for cakes (and even better for homemade fudge). 😀

The next piece is a Vess Dry Ginger Ale bottle. I really liked its curvaceous shape.

Continue reading →

Rudbeckia up close: Macro Monday & FOTD

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I saw these Rudbeckia up close while walking along the Deschutes River trail in Bend, Oregon.

Rudbeckia up close

Macro Monday

Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Fruit and flowers: LAPC & MM

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I decided to take pictures of some of the fruit and flowers in our garden today before they fade away.

Delicate petals of nodding hollyhocks filtered the sun’s light

Hollyhocks

Snapdragons filled the landscape, exploding in shades of pink

fruit and flowers

Iceplants with purple punctuations slid towards the pond’s edge

iceplant

Continue reading →

A pansy rainbow haiku: Macro Monday

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a pansy rainbow
radiating happiness
on a summer day

A pansy rainbow

Macro Monday

Jenday conure up close: Macro Monday

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A Jenday conure up close at my house. I sometimes take care of my son’s conure when he goes on vacation. It has beautifully colored feathers and a very LOUD voice.

Jenday conure

Macro Monday

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Purple clematis up close: MM & FOTD

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Purple Clematis

Here’s a picture of beautiful purple clematis blossoms up close in July of last year.

Clematis vines do well in sunny locations with moist, well-drained soil. A thick layer of mulch over their roots helps keep them cool, which they prefer. Once mature, these plants can reach a height of 10 to 20 feet. There are nearly 300 species of clematis. The distinctive blossoms of clematis come in a wide variety of colors, including white, yellow, pink, purple, blue, green, and bi-color.

Macro Monday (MM)

Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Fine feather I found: Macro Monday

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This a fine feather I found while walking in a park in Bend, Oregon. This large feather belonged to some kind of raptor.

fine feather

Macro Monday

White Cosmos up close: MM & FOTD

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Here’s a picture of a white cosmos up close, taken a couple of days ago in Bend, Oregon. Cooler weather is on the way so it may soon disappear. They are one of my favorite flowers!

White Cosmos

Macro Monday (MM)

Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Red flowers & meanings: LAPC, FOTD

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Florists and gardeners use red flowers to represent a wide variety of emotions and characteristics. You may associate them with love, but they have many other meanings.

Columbines are symbols of strength, wisdom, and peace. Red columbines symbolize love, intense emotions, and encouragement.

Red columbine
Western columbine, Aquilegia formosa

Hibiscus are symbols of youth, beauty, success, glory, and femininity. Red hibiscus symbolize romance and love.

Red flowers hibiscus
Red hibiscus, Hibiscus sp.

Black-eyed Susans are symbols of justice, inspiring motivation and positive changes. They are sometimes associated with the sense of wonder of childhood.

Red blossoms Black-eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia sp.

Poppies are symbols of remembrance and hope. The flowers are used to recognize members of the Armed Forces around the world. In some cultures, red poppies represent love and success.

Red Iceland poppy
Iceland poppy, Papaver nudicaule

Indian paintbrush are symbols of creativity, passion, and the pursuit of dreams. Their red and orange flowers represent fiery energy and the drive needed to achieve your goals.

Indian paintbrush
Indian paintbrush, Castilleja sp.

Red flowers stand out in both wild and cultivated landscapes.

Meanings of flowers may vary, depending on the source. For this post, I relied on information on Petal Republic.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Primary Colors LAPC

Flower of the Day FOTD

Canna lily leaves up close: MM & FOTD

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These Canna Lily leaves are beautiful up close. Lovely shapes, lines, and colors.

Canna lily leaves
Canna lily, Oregon Garden, Silverton, Oregon

Macro Monday (MM)

Flower of the Day (FOTD)

Sunlight in a flower: Macro Monday

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I always think of yellow and gold flower petals as capturing sunlight in a flower.

Sunlight in a flower

The flowers shown in this post of little rays of sunshine are dedicated to fellow blogger, Bren, of Brashley Photography.

She recently lost her fight with cancer but will be remembered for her stunning, ethereal portraits of flowers. May her gentle soul rest in peace.

double views of cactus

Macro Monday

Jerusalem cricket up close: Macro Monday

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After waking up one morning, I stumbled into my darkened kitchen to make coffee. I almost stepped on this Jerusalem cricket in the middle of the room.

The Jerusalem cricket, Stenopelmatus fuscus, also known as the potato bug, is a slow-moving desert creature that has an almost prehistoric look. Though they look harmless, they’re capable of delivering a painful bite with their strong jaw. They feed on plant roots, decaying matter, potatoes, and other insects – including their mates!

Jerusalem cricket

I carefully scooped up my unexpected visitor with a piece of cardboard and took it outside so it could hide under a rock, and not under my bare feet. 😉

To learn more about this strange insects’ mating ritual, watch this video.

Macro Monday

Black cottonwood up close: Macro Monday

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This black cottonwood up close picture was taken at Malheur NWR headquarters in Oregon.

Black cottonwood

I kinda have a thing for taking pictures of bark. Can you see why I thought this tree was ready for its close up?

Macro Monday

Lichens & moss up close: Macro Monday

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This limb held an interesting collection of lichens & moss. It had a great variety of colors and textures. Golden grasses nicely framed the scene.

Lichens & moss

Macro Monday

Pink Chrysanthemum up close: Macro Monday

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I saw this gorgeous pink chrysanthemum on the High Desert Garden Tour last year. Though native to China and northeastern Europe, these plants do well in many parts of the world. The long-lasting flowers are available in a variety of colors. These include pink, purple, orange, yellow, white, and red. Unlike many of the plants that grow in High Desert gardens, this one is not appetizing to deer. A big plus around here!

pink chrysanthemum

Macro Monday

Double yolk thunderegg: Macro Monday

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I call this a double yolk thunderegg because two of these round rocks formed together. Thundereggs are Oregon’s state rock. You never know what’s inside until they’re cut open, like this one, or already cracked open.

Double yolk thunderegg

This double yolk thunderegg is from Richardson’s Rock Ranch, north of Madras, Oregon. Though you can no longer dig there, you can purchase cut, polished, and raw rocks of many kinds from their large store.

Rough side of rock

If you want to dig for thundereggs, visit Priday Polka-Dot Agate Beds, about 9 miles northeast of Richardson’s. See my post about this amazing place if you want to uncover ENORMOUS thundereggs.

Macro Monday

Euphorbia up close: Macro Monday

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Here’s a photograph of Euphorbia, up close, growing in the fall. In spring, this type has bright yellow flowers. These plants, also known as ‘spurge’, are drought tolerant and easy to grow. There are more than 2,000 types of Euphorbia.

Euphorbia

Macro Monday

Lungwort up close: Macro Monday

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Here’s a picture of lungwort up close, taken near the North Santiam River in Oregon.

Lungwort
Lungwort, Lobania pulmonaria

Also known as Lung lichen, this lichen has been used in dyes, teas, and for treatment of lung ailments. Deer and moose browse on lungwort and other animals use it for nest material.

Lungwort is sensitive to air pollution and doesn’t grow well in polluted locations. In fact, the National Forest Service keeps a database on this and other lichens “to detect, map, evaluate trends, and assess the ecological impacts of air pollutants.”

Macro Monday

Skimmia up close: Macro Monday

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Skimmia shrub with berries up close. This plant was seen at the Portland Japanese Garden in the fall.

Skimmia

Macro Monday

Frosty around the edges: Macro Monday

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These Oregon grape leaves were frosty around the edges. This picture, taken in November, shows the leaves getting their fall color.

Frosty around the edges

Macro Monday

Pickled herring fossil?: Macro Monday

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Could this be a pickled herring fossil? I got this fossil from my mom and don’t know anything about it’s history. It looks like the herring fish pictured on this Green River Fossil site. Though I was hoping it was something rare, fossils of this small fish are common.

pickled herring fossil

The Green River Formation, located in parts of Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah, is one of the best places to find fish fossils in the world.

Macro Monday

Let us (or lettuce) be grateful: Macro Monday

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Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.

Marcel Proust
Let us (lettuce)

A little play on the words “let us” with this up close picture of lettuce growing in Hollinshead Park’s community garden in Bend, Oregon.

Macro Monday

This and that rock: Macro Monday

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This and that rock from Fischer Canyon, Oregon. According to the Central Oregon rockhounding map, published by the Bureau of Land Management, you can find petrified wood, jasper, and agate here. Other sources list calcite and quartz as being at this site.

This small conglomerate includes several types of rock that merged together.

this and that rock
conglomerate rock

Macro Monday

Begonia framed in blue : Macro Monday

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A red begonia framed in blue in Alger, Washington.

Begonia framed in blue

Macro Monday

Jasper shown up close: Macro Monday

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This piece of jasper, shown up close, comes from Fischer Canyon, south of Prineville Reservoir. I liked this rock because the yellow lichen stood out in bold contrast against the red background.

Jasper shown up close

Macro Monday

Trailing petunias up close: Macro Monday

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I saw these multi-colored trailing petunias in a hanging basket in downtown Bend. Since they produce so many flowers, another common name for this plant is ‘million bells.’

Trailing petunias
Trailing petunias Calibrachoa hybrida

These perennials are hybrids from plants originally grown in South America. They bloom from spring through first frost and they’re easy to grow. They make a perfect addition to hanging baskets.

Macro Monday

Wind-sculpted poem: Haiku & MM

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Beach scene in Oregon

wind-sculpted mountains
emerge from sandy shorelines
embrace life, vanish

wind-sculpted mountains

Note: These sand “mountains” near Waldport, Oregon are about 1/2 inch tall.

Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenge – Sand and Life

Macro Monday

Captured sunshine: Macro Monday

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These colorful lichens at Lake Abert look like bits of captured sunshine.

Captured sunshine in lichens
Colorful lichens at Lake Abert, Oregon

Macro Monday

Cactus buds in my garden: Macro Monday

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Here’s an up close view of prickly pear cactus buds in my garden. Yes, those spikes are sharp and difficult to weed around, but I eagerly await the day when their delicate yellow flowers unfurl.

Cactus buds

Macro Monday