High Desert Nature Archives – Page 4 of 5

Spring Flowers Shrubs & Trees Gardening High Desert

High Desert Windy Days

By JM PerezMarch 25, 20141 min read544 views

Windy days have returned in the High Desert and thankfully for us, we are done with our Spring cleanup.
This afternoon we accomplished so much in the backyard. We planted and transplanted a few plants. We started weeding all over again since more weeds are actively and rapidly growing from the last rainfall.

I was delighted on Friday morning as I captured the moon as it was still up in the clear blue sky.
Click here to learn more about this occurrence.

I am loving the beautiful sight of our High Desert Mountains. From my backyard these mountains are southeast of us as opposed to the snowy mountains which are southwest. The view is lovely whichever way you look.

The first Tree Rose in the backyard to bloom.

The Dwarf Cup Flower are starting to produce beautiful purple, cup-shaped flowers.

Dwarf Cup Flower (Nierembergia Caerulea 'Purple Robe'). — *Dwarf Cup Flower (Nierembergia Caerulea ‘Purple Robe’).*

Coleonema Pulchrum “Pink Breath of Heaven” bursting with beautiful tiny pale pink flowers and fragrant leaves.

Three years ago I purchased a Saucer Magnolia tree from Lowe’s, which I found in the plants clearance area. It flowered the following year and hasn’t since then. On Friday we relocated it to the backyard and it’s leafing out. I am confident that it was the right move to help the plant thrive and I am looking forward to see some gorgeous blooms in the up coming days, hopefully.

We finally parted with the huge bare root Ocotillo we’ve had for three years. It never rooted.

Happy Spring Gardening!

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By JM Perez

Spring Birds Insects Flowers Shrubs & Trees Gardening High Desert

New Season of Regrowth

By JM PerezMarch 20, 20141 min read849 views

It’s the first day of Spring and a lovely day. I took pictures of a few lovelies blooming in the garden this morning. Some Freesias, which are said to symbolize innocence and friendship.

According to Teleflora.com, the 7th Wedding Anniversary Flower, Freesia, is a symbol of trust and fidelity. Freesia is an antidote to the proverbial saying that the seventh year of marriage provokes restlessness. Representing faithfulness through the seasons, it’s a traditional reminder of love’s honorable character.

A lovely lone Purple Tulip amongst Freesias.

The Purple-Leaf Cherry Plum is blooming with beautiful delicate scented light pink flowers.

The Martini Tea Trees are starting to produce reddish-pink flowers.

For about a minute, I watched a pair of Crows perched on a wire share a moment of tenderness.

This first day of Spring wouldn’t have been complete without the sound of the Female Nuttall’s Woodpecker drilling holes in a utility pole. Click here or here to learn more about this bird.

A White-Lined Sphinx Moth resting on a wood fence panel.

“It’s Spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you’ve got it, you want – oh, you don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!”
― Mark Twain

From my Garden to yours: Happy Spring and Gardening!

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By JM Perez

Weather Nature Flowers Shrubs & Trees High Desert

Our Gloomy Weekend

By JM PerezMarch 1, 20142 min read790 views

It rained all day yesterday as the weather forecaster said it would. It was heavy, non-stop with periods of thunder.
As of now we still have light showers, hoping it will be quick to pass. The aftermath of heavy rain on some plants such as succulents can be devastating. Some species might recover when the sun comes out and others are a total loss. Rainstorms can also create a lot of work. On the other hand, rain waters plants for free and can help dislodge pests from plants naturally (in my case, Aphids on my roses).

The whole West Coast has been in need of rain and we got some. If you ask my opinion, I will reply “enough already with the rain!” For someone who enjoys spending her weekends outdoors, gardening and working on yard projects with my little helpers, I am stuck indoors. It turned out to be a good thing since I am able to catch up on my Reading, TV shows and enjoying my favorite cup of coffee.

Here are some shots I took while I was out and about in the morning rain.

The partial single Rainbow above is of yesterday during the rainstorm. The Rainbow must have been visible for a good two to three minutes before rapidly disappearing in the clouds. It was a gloomy day.

I absolutely adore my Woodland Babies, which was a Collections ETC. purchase from a few years ago.

The Sweet Almond Tree is full of first leaves budding out.
I replaced the green set of Antique Victorian Cast Iron Bench and Arm Chair with a similar white set, this time including a matching side table. I love white furniture as they call attention, stand out against green foliage and colorful plants. They also enhance the yard, giving it a welcoming feel.

Our Navajo Globe Willow trees are leafing out. The one pictured above is one of two branches we grew from cuttings from a mature tree in Central California. Globe Willow makes a nice canopy tree, providing shade during the hot months. During Winter, their bare branches display beautiful silhouettes.

I found an unknown type of Moss growing at the base of a Heavenly Bamboo in the front yard.

If the rain ceases, I will be visiting a few nurseries this afternoon or tomorrow in search of Native plants for the Rain Garden I will be creating in my backyard.

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By JM Perez

Weather Nature High Desert

Nature in My Backyard

By JM PerezNovember 29, 20132 min read463 views

This morning in the backyard I spotted a Mealworm, which is the larvae form of the Mealworm Beetle.
According to Wikipedia, Mealworms are useful for their high protein content. They are typically used as a pet food for captive reptiles, fish, and birds. They are also provided to wild birds in bird feeders, particularly during the nesting season and they are also used as fishing bait. The Mealworm beetle breeds prolifically.

I saw this Metallic Green Sweat Bee (Agapostemon Melliventris) at the base of my Bird of Paradise Bush.
According to Discoverlife.org, The male of this species has a bright metallic green head and thorax, and a yellow metasoma with narrow black bands. The female has a bright metallic green head and a honey-colored metasoma banded with short, dense, white hair.

I also found a Pinacate Beetle, also known as the Stink Beetle, for its defensive tactic of standing on its head and squirting a noxious spray. I am seeing a lot more Beetles within my property compared to the previous years and I can’t help to wonder if there is an outbreak. They are everywhere and always pop out from nowhere.

It has rained so much lately and today wasn’t any different to the exception that a beautiful rainbow came out, brightened the gloomy weather and added cheer to our day.

I started raking leaves last week and today I decided to have some fun with the leaves before the wind picked up. I made a Heart-shaped symbol made with a pile of fallen leaves.

*Heart-shaped symbol made with a pile of fallen leaves.*

It’s a gorgeous day to enjoy Nature.

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By JM Perez

Insects Flowers Shrubs & Trees Gardening High Desert

Joy Of Gardening

By JM PerezNovember 16, 20131 min read570 views

Despite the hectic weather, it felt good stepping out today and watching the wind send leaves flying everywhere in the backyard as I slowly made my way towards the front porch. It was time to bring my Boston Fern indoors. I walked around the backyard and spent a couple of minutes with my Roses. These are some of the moments I cherish the most. Growing and caring for Roses is hard work as it demands a lot of determination, time, patience and love. In the end it pays a thousandfold and I have had a wonderful year with my Roses.

On my way to collect the trash can from the street earlier in the week, I couldn’t resist stopping by my Rose Garden where a couple of rose bushes where blooming. As I began taking pictures of the beautiful blooms, I spotted a large Green Valley Grasshopper (from its rather large size, I believe it’s a female). I can’t tell if the insect was just hanging out, perhaps resting from a long flight or just getting ready to feed on my plants.