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Category Archives: Spring

School’s Out… Time to Remember, Rejoice, Relax!

07 Thursday Jun 2012

Posted by Claire Eddins in Family, Flora and Fauna, iPhoneography, Lifestyle, Nature, Spring, Summer

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coming of age, Flora and Fauna, hiking, iPhone Photography, Middle school, National History Day, nature, nature photography, relaxing by the stream, school graduation, spring, summer, Virginia, walking

Woodsy feet relax at the little babbling brook. © 2012 EddinsImages

Yesterday was the last day of middle school for my son. It is hard for me to imagine that in the fall my only child will begin high school. A competitive swimmer and honors student who has earned all “A”s this year, he placed first and second at the regional- and state-level National History Day competitions. This weekend, we’ll be in Washington, DC, at the national competition… I’m so very proud of his accomplishments!

Today, I’m taking the morning to welcome summer.  Although it is cool for June, it is sunny outside, the birds are singing, and I am going to enjoy a thoughtful, long walk past misty fields, grazing cattle, pastel mountains, roadside flowers, and meandering brooks with polished rocks and shy little frogs.  I’ll be thinking about how our lives have changed, and I’ll be remembering how far my son and I have come since his dad passed away when he was just a little boy. That’s when we left New England behind to start our new life in Virginia.

And, I’m going to celebrate and rejoice how proud I am of my son and how much I adore my husband today.

Then, I’m going to listen to the cheerful songs of my favorite mocking birds and the gurgles and ripples of the little babbling brook at the bottom of the hill.

I will sit and relax while I welcome the lazy days of summer in Virginia.

Photo taken with an iPhone 4.© 2012 EddinsImages

Black Swallowtail Caterpillar: Persnickity Portrait Subject

04 Monday Jun 2012

Posted by Claire Eddins in Butterflies, Flora and Fauna, Home and Garden, iPhoneography, Nature, Spring, Wildlife

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Biology, black swallowtail butterfly, black swallowtail caterpillar, butterfly, caterpillar in carrots, caterpillar photo, caterpillar photography, eastern black swallowtail butterfly, eastern black swallowtail caterpillar, Flora and Fauna, garden, garden caterpillar, garden photography, green and black caterpillar, green and black worm, Insecta, interior decorating color palette, iPhone, Lepidoptera, nature photography, Papilio polyxenes, Pupa, Virginia caterpillar

Lookee who I found in my carrot patch yesterday… a beautiful eastern black swallowtail caterpillar (Papilio polyxenes).

Eastern black swallowtail caterpillar (Papilio polyxenes) found in my central Virginia carrot patch. © 2012 EddinsImages

At first, my attractive little visitor was mad at me and flashed a bright orange osmeterium. Looking like soft orange antlers, the forked osmeterium organ emits a liquid compound containing chemicals called terpines. Unfortunately, I missed the photo of the brightly colored, antler-like osmeterium when it was visible… it looked sensational against the bright green foliage and orange carrot roots.

Thinning the carrots led to the discovery of a black swallowtail caterpillar (Papilio polyxenes). © 2012 EddinsImages

Regardless of my missed opportunity, as the sun played hide and seek above, I took a few more photos in the changing light before releasing my visitor. Yet, without a maco lens and precise focusing abilities, my iPhone camera and I found this creature to be the most persnickity of portrait subjects. The little animal’s front end was in constant motion and I could not get a well-focused shot – let alone get any sort of smile – or even a wink!

Wiggly, eastern black swallowtail caterpillar (Papilio polyxenes). © 2012 EddinsImages

Mother Sun bleached out the appearance of these vibrant colors in my photos. However, I can see the bright and contrasting colors applied to interior decorating projects… Easily, I can envision this palette in a kid’s room or kitchen. Pop in some hot pink or purple for a bit of whimsy. Against an expanse of white, I see a very chic and modern living space.

It won’t be long before this eastern black swallowtail caterpillar (Papilio polyxenes) flutters away, transformed into an eastern black swallowtail butterfly. © 2012 EddinsImages

After finding an expired mama eastern black swallowtail butterfly during one of my walks recently, it is heartwarming to see her life was not in vain. The life cycle continues! Without the short black spikes that appear around the black stripes of younger caterpillars, the creature in my carrot patch looks about ready to pupate. After just two weeks in its chrysalis stage, I look forward to seeing this little beauty spread its wings as a majestic swallowtail butterfly.

All photos taken in natural light with an iPhone 4. Copyright © 2012 EddinsImages

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My Beautiful Roadside Finds

24 Thursday May 2012

Posted by Claire Eddins in Butterflies, Flora and Fauna, Flowers, iPhoneography, Lifestyle, Nature, Spring, Travel, Wildlife

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black swallowtail butterfly, butterfly, Central Virginia, clover, country flowers, dandelion photo, dandelion seeds photo, eastern black swallowtail butterfly, Eurytides marcellus, female eastern black swallowtail butterfly, flower photography, flower photos, groundhog, iPhone Photography, iPhone photos, iris, ladybug, Lepidoptera, macro photography, monarch butterfly, moth, nature photography, red clover, roadside flowers, snapping turtle photo, tulip poplar, tulip poplar flower, tulip tree, Virginia countryside, Virginia flowers, Virginia plants, white clover, wild rose, zebra swallowtail butterfly

For several years now, I’ve spent way too many days and nights sitting in front of my computer. After a young life of always being active and outside, my suddenly sedentary, middle-aged body did not fare well stationed behind the computer. A few months ago, I finally decided to do something about my unhealthy, inactive lifestyle and underused, overweight body.

Roadside pink clover.  © 2012 EddinsImages

I decided to briskly walk between two and four miles each and everyday. Now, of course, it goes without saying that I have not achieved my everyday goal. I knew that.  But, I also knew that if my goal was to walk each day, I’d probably actually do it four or five days each week. And, I have been walking.

Wild roses found by the side of the road. © 2012 EddinsImages

Better still, something quite unexpected has happened…

Surprise encounter with a snapping turtle crossing the road happened during a spring rain storm. © 2012 EddinsImages

I’ve found myself stopping and admiring the beautiful things I find by the side of the road.

Soft wisps of feathered seeds. © 2012 EddinsImages

And, lucky for me, I’ve not once forgotten to bring my iPhone, the one with extraordinary little built-in camera.

Ladybug on a roadside leaf. © 2012 EddinsImages

Now, halting my brisk walks to stop and snap photos along the way has certainly not helped me to build muscle and loose pounds. No, not one bit. However, my country road walks, and the little discoveries that come with each trek, have proven to be the most exhilarating and pleasant part of each day. What I’ve accidentally accomplished has been well worth the continued struggle with my extra poundage.

Soft peach and fiery orange colors contrast and create drama in this roadside iris. © 2012 EddinsImages

My walks have helped me to rediscovered something I love: Photography.

Fresh and tiny, white with green clover flower makes a big impression… if one looks closely! © 2012 EddinsImages

I’m having so much fun, in fact, that for the life of me, I can’t figure out why I stopped making photos years ago. There was a time when I wanted to do nothing but make photos.

Inside the roadside peach iris. © 2012 EddinsImages

Today, the little things that catch my eye can be as simple as a common weed that I may drive by everyday. I just never take the time to appreciate it.

Common dandelion with seeds blowing in the wind. © 2012 EddinsImages

Or, it may be as elusive as a plant seed that falls to the ground only once each year. I never saw tulip tree seeds in New England, however, for a week or so, they fell all over and around our gravel country road.

Spring beauty from a tulip poplar tree. © 2012 EddinsImages

Tulip poplar tree flower in bright sunlight seems to glow. © 2012 EddinsImages

Fallen tulip poplar tree flowers in the roadside shade. © 2012 EddinsImages

One time as I trudged up the road, I stopped to watch a couple of eastern black swallowtail butterflies (Papilio polyxenes) frolicking and courting one another. Then, the joy I’d felt when I watched the two butterflies frolicking was replaced by sadness. Only one was left when I returned, left lifeless on the road, its wings blowing and blurred by the wind. how bittersweet.

Expired female eastern black swallowtail butterfly (Papilio polyxenes) in the road. © 2012 EddinsImages

On another day, I saw another beautiful winged creature, zebra colored with bright splashes of red, the zebra swallowtail butterfly (Eurytides marcellus) clung to the ground as the wind whipped its delicate wings. Surely, this precious creature was near the its bittersweet end.

Zebra swallowtail butterfly (Eurytides marcellus). © 2012 EddinsImages

Zebra swallowtail butterfly (Eurytides marcellus) displays uncommon, sensational black, white and red beauty. © 2012 EddinsImages

Regardless of the bittersweet endings, what I’ve enjoyed most about my walks is the joy of seeing things anew. Taking the time to stop, observe and take-in all Mother Nature has to offer has awakened something inside me. I’ve spent too much time racing by life, as I drive absently in the car from one appointment, one errand to another. I now realize how I’ve missed much of the beauty and inspiration my world has to offer.

Common, white wild rose is set-off by lovely spring green leaves. © 2012 EddinsImages

Just a weed that I pass by everyday… © 2012 EddinsImages

These days, I may not be loosing any weight. However, by getting outside – away from my chair and keyboard – and by pausing and taking the time to see, I’ve found a much more meaningful, beautiful, and inspired life.

Itty bitty white clover flower seems to be blushing close-up. © 2012 EddinsImages

I plan to embrace it.

Hearing grass and leaves rustling, I could not see what animal was near, or even where it was. Too much noise for a squirrel, and the wrong noises for deer, I’d just about decided it was someone’s hunting dog when… out from the tall grass popped Mr. Groundhog! © 2012 EddinsImages

All photos taken in natural light with an iPhone 4. © 2012 EddinsImages.

Iris Flowers, Up Close and Personal

04 Friday May 2012

Posted by Claire Eddins in Flora and Fauna, Flowers, Home and Garden, iPhoneography, Nature, Spring

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blue iris, closeup flower photos, flower abstract photos, flower photos, flower potography, garden photography, hardy flowers, Home and Garden, iPhone, iris, iris germanica, iris photos, Irises, old flowers, pink iris, plant phtotgraphy, Plants, purple and white iris, wet flowers

Iris viewed from above. © 2012 EddinsImages

Its been a week of stormy spring weather. Every day, we’ve experienced fat, angry, lightening bolts, house-shaking, cracks and roars of thunder, and sheets and sheets of wind-driven ran.  Last night in the car, as we headed home from town under brooding, bruised skies brightened with wild, white flashes of lightening, ginormous raindrops pelted the car. And when we were almost home, big balls of hail pinged off the car and bounced in the road around us.

Very dramatic.

Waves of lavender orange iris. © 2012 EddinsImages

But, its not all been drama weather this week.

A look into the iris. © 2012 EddinsImages

In between the tempestuous conditions, we’ve had hours of peaceful, balmy days. Days when garden and roadside stems push upward and blooms stretch outward.

Iris, up close, after the rains. © 2012 EddinsImages

Perennials have been unfolding leaves and petals right before us.

Looking down on beautiful Iris “Batik.” © 2012 EddinsImages

And showing their blooms.

Peek into the peachy pink iris. © 2012 EddinsImages

And I’ve been outside, walking with my trusty little iPhone camera.

Folds of blue iris petals, worn from stormy weather. © 2012 EddinsImages

The irises are in full-force. And their show has been amazing.

Iris “Batik.” © 2012 EddinsImages

Even after damaging storms, they manage to impress.

Spent blooms, after days of sun, hail and rain. © 2012 EddinsImages

Very dramatic.

Pink and purple canyons of Iris petals. © 2012 EddinsImages

Its been a joy to take the time to stop and look at each flower.

Jumble of intense iris. © 2012 EddinsImages

I’ll be sad when they’re gone.

Iris “past her prime.” © 2012 EddinsImages

Truly, I’d never appreciated them before.

Lavender iris veins. © 2012 EddinsImages

The irises are extraordinary.

Taking the time to examine each roadside iris is a joy. © 2012 EddinsImages

I’ll be sad when they’re gone.

Sunshine-flled iris. © 2012 EddinsImages

So, the plan is to purchase more this year… my little iPhone camera and I will be waiting for them next year.

“Batik” iris, weathered but none the worse from storms. © 2012 EddinsImages

Meanwhile, I’ve chosen my favorite. Which is yours?

All photos taken in natural light with an iPhone 4. Copyright © 2012 EddinsImages.

Spring Flowers After the Storm

01 Tuesday May 2012

Posted by Claire Eddins in Flora and Fauna, Flowers, Home and Garden, iPhoneography, Nature, Spring

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clemaits photo, Clematis, Clematis Henrii, coral rose, flower, flower closeup, flower photography, flowers in rain, garden, garden photography, iPhone Photography, Knock Out rose, mini rose, purple clematis, Rose, rose photo, spring flowers, Sunny Knock Out rose, Virginia garden, wet flowers, white clematis, yellow rose

Sunny Knock Out® after the morning rain. © 2012 EddinsImages

This morning began with a thunderstorm. Afterwards, I took my trusty iPhone out to the garden to snap some photos of raindrop-laden blooms.

Then, I crunched the front-end of my truck on my way to the office.

*sigh*

Purple clematis, real close! © 2012 EddinsImages

Since I’ve not been able to get any real work done today, I decided to post a few of this morning’s flower pics…

So far, they’ve been the best part of my day.

Clematis Henrii after the showers. © 2012 EddinsImages

And they make me smile.

Mini rose after the rain. © 2012 EddinsImages

Hopefully, I’ll have a better day tomorrow.

Purple clematis close-up. © 2012 EddinsImages

I won’t wreck the truck (been there, done that).

Clematis Henrii Bud.© 2012 EddinsImages

And tomorrow, I’ll get some real work done!

Wet purple clematis leaf. © 2012 EddinsImages

All photos taken with an iPhone 4. © 2012 EddinsImages

Drama Queen Iris ‘Batik’ Welcomes Spring

13 Friday Apr 2012

Posted by Claire Eddins in Flora and Fauna, Flowers, Home and Garden, iPhoneography, Nature, Spring

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

American Iris Society Award, award winning flower, award winning iris, bearded iris, Ensminger, flower photography, hardy flowers, Iris Batik, iris closeup, iris germanica, Knowlton Medal, perennials, purple and white iris, purple iris, Virginia garden

Award-winning Iris germanica “Batik” is stunning close-up.© 2012 EddinsImages

Look who came out to play in my Spring garden yesterday!

Award winning Iris germanica “Batik” is a dramatic, and I daresay, show-stopping garden plant that blooms Spring and Summer. Such a Drama Queen! I can’t imagine my garden without several of these flashy sword-leaved beauties featuring royal-purple flowers with random spatters and streaks of white on its standards and falls. In fact, I plan to add more to my garden each year.

Iris “Batik” is a hardy and most dramatic garden bloomer. © 2012 EddinsImages

For an iris, “Batik” shows a rather conservatively sized yellow beard. Hybridized by grower Ensminger in 1985, the 26-36″ border bearded iris was awarded the American Iris Society Honorable Mention in 1988, the Award of Merit  in 1990, and the Knowlton Medal  in 1992. Like everything in my garden, this perennial plant is easy to grow and should return year after year. It likes sun, is drought tolerant and may be easily propagated by dividing rhizomes, tubers, or bulbs.

Can’t wait to see what blooms in my garden tomorrow…

All photos taken with an iPhone 4. © 2012 EddinsImages

Springtime Clematis Blooms

12 Thursday Apr 2012

Posted by Claire Eddins in Flora and Fauna, Flowers, Home and Garden, iPhoneography, Nature, Spring

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Blue Ridge garden, Clematis, Clematis Nelly Moser, Climbing flower, garden, Pink flower, Spring flower, Spring garden, Virginia, Virginia climbing flower, Virginia garden, Virginia plants

Clematis Nelly Moser announces Spring’s arrival in central Virginia. © 2012 EddinsImages

I have a love-hate relationship with Spring. After frigid temperatures and months of nothing but dull landscapes of brown and grey, April’s warm weather – along with peeps of fresh green outside – are always welcome. Yet, it seems that I always get excited too soon. You see, invariably, an early thaw leads to a few warm days.

Yea!

Then, it gets cold again.

Wah!

Worst of all, many plants that dare to bloom during the early thaw, ultimately, wither and die. (I’d share photos of my husband’s tomato plants, but, it is too depressing). I hate that.

Nevertheless, I’ve learned that my clematis are better timekeepers than I. They seem to get it just right, year after year. And, when clematis variety “Nelly Moser” finally opens her petals, I know that Spring weather is here to stay. My striped, candy-pink Nelly, above, is just a newbie. Planted last fall, she is actually the smallest of all my clematis plants (there’s not much more to her than what’s shown in the photo), and yet, she is still the first to bloom, along with another couple of my youngsters, white clematis “Henrii.” My Henrii group are a bit less protected than the single Nelly Moser, and they got whipped in the wind during the last few days. My first-to-appear Henrii bloom looks a little shabby. I didn’t take his photo.

Now that I think of it, the Nelly Moser is just sitting in clay soil (not good for her) and, still,  she is first to bloom! Note to self: amend soil or move Nelly…

Regardless, both Nelly Moser and Henrii are fairly common varieties and are regarded as excellent repeat bloomers, each with a relatively long flowering season. Although, I remember not being overly impressed with either variety when I was first familiar with clematis, (candy cane pink = too cute; white = boring), I’ve come around over the years. Because of their easy maintenance, excellent hardiness, great repeat blooming, potential for sizable blooms (Nelly Moser, up to 9 inches; Henrii up to 7 inches ) as well as prolific blooming – I’ve had these varieties absolutely smothered with flowers, even when I’ve totally neglected them –  each has grown to become an all-time favorite of mine. Best of all, I adore roses, and clematis make perfect rose companions.

Hummm… now that Spring has arrived, my rose buds will open soon.

I just love Spring!

Photo taken with an iPhone 4. © 2012 EddinsImages

Spring’s Wonder

22 Thursday Mar 2012

Posted by Claire Eddins in Flora and Fauna, Frogs and Toads, Home and Garden, iPhoneography, Lifestyle, Nature, Spring

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flower, fresh start, frog statuary, garden, life experience, lifestyle, memories, new beginning, pansy, spring

“Every spring is the only spring – perpetual astonishment.” – Ellis Peters. © 2012 EddinsImages

Remember when you were very young… how the simplest little thing could be an object of absolute joy and wonderment?

Like flowers in an early spring garden.  Or, a favorite object.

Springtime at my Grandparent’s house in New Jersey: after long, grey, northern winters, any bits of color – crimson buds against cerulean skies, green leaves reaching up to unfurl from hardened earth, screaming yellow flowers with neon noses held atop emerald stems – were welcome celebrations of the earth’s rebirth. When I was very little, it was bliss to be outside without a cumbersome snowsuit, feel the warm sun on my skin, smell early-blooming narcissus in the garden, and feel the rich, cool dirt in my hands, on my knees and under my nails.

Each spring I scrunched under the shrubs in the backyard to discover my favorite lion-faced pansies bobbing atop rich, freshly turned soil. Carefully, I’d lift-up the delicate pansy heads to examine their charming purple and white faces. My very own little lions. I’d spend forever, studying and comparing one flower to another, choosing my very favorite. And, each day on my visit to Grandma’s and Grandpa’s, I’d run outside early in the morning to be sure my very favorite lion-face was still safe and blooming.

Best of all, nestled amongst the lion-faced pansies, were two cast-iron frogs, one painted light green and the other dark green with a white belly. In my shaded pansy paradise, I petted and played with the frogs, adoring them as if they were living creatures, hour after hour.

It was all so simple and wondrous. Each spring, each day…

Today, half a century later, my darling grandparents are long gone. Their home is gone. And, their marvelous garden with each spring’s promise, is gone. However, my beloved cast-iron frogs have found their forever home with me. Their paint has all but worn away, and each little frog has patinated so that the pair shows a near-identical, rusty-bronze color. To anyone seeing them for the first time, they are hardly the cheerful Spring Princes of my childhood days.

However, I remember.

To me, the frogs are every bit as wondrous as they were fifty years ago. They remind me of spring in New Jersey. Of lion-faced pansies. Of Grandma and Grandpa. And, they remind me of the joy and excitement I felt when experiencing the simplest things. By contrast, today, often bogged-down in the day-to-day mechanics of adulthood… raising a child, being a wife, caring for pets, making a living, managing a home, shopping and child shuttling from one activity to another… I feel overwhelmed. Some days, all I can do is get through the nuts and bolts of living. No time for whimsy.

Then comes spring. Everything is anew. Each day is fresh. A redo from the day before. And all the days before that. I can forget my troubles. Move forward from my mistakes. And I see that what made me happy fifty years ago still makes me happy today. I just need to remember. I just need to make time to enjoy life, experience the wonder, as I expected to when I was still a child.

Spring reminds me to be the me I expected to be.

I’m off to find some pansies for my frogs…

Photo taken with an iPhone 4. © 2012 EddinsImages

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