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Buddha Toad

14 Tuesday Aug 2012

Posted by Claire Eddins in Flora and Fauna, Frogs and Toads, Home and Garden, Inspiration, Nature, Virginia

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Amphibian, Anaxyrus quercicus, animal conservation, Central Virginia, extinction, Flora and Fauna, garden, garden photography, iPhoneography, lifestyle, nature, nature photography, Oak Toad, summer, toad, Virginia garden, Virginia Herpetplogical Society, Virginia toad, Virginia wildlife

Every once in a while, you run into an individual who’s got that “It” thing going on. You know, the bigger-than-life types… the ones who exude confidence, awareness and over-the-top, in-yer-face personality. The ones with an undeniable energy. The ones who stake their claim to the space simply by being there.

And, in my experience, these It-Factor types occur with animals as well as humans.

And every once in a while, I run into an animal who just oozes It-Factor. Like my Buddha Toad here. I mean no disrespect to the followers of Buddhism, however, I do think he seems to have attained some sort of knowledge and enlightenment. Just look at him. When he sits back in my hand and looks out at the world (and scornfully at me), I am convinced that he knows far more than I do…

My research indicates that this little fellow may be an Oak Toad (Anaxyrus quercicus). According to the Virginia Herpetological Society, these little toads are quite rare in the state and require a “very high conservation need” as the species is at high risk for extinction or extirpation.

Photo note: I tried, tried, tried, to achieve a photo with Buddha Toad’s nose in the same focal plane as the rest of his body… however, my trusty iPhone camera was not so trusty on that day; Buddha Toad’s nose remains out of focus in a photo or two. But then, I figured his personality transcends all technical issues… so I’ve published anyway. I promise to find another It-Factor amphibian and try again!

All photos taken with an iPhone 4. © 2012 EddinsImages

Mighty Mushroom

13 Monday Aug 2012

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

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Flora and Fauna, garden, garden photography, iPhoneography, lifestyle, mushroom, nature, nature photography, summer, Virginia, Virginia garden, Virginia plants

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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

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

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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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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Tags

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

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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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