Sunflower © 2008
My garden looks a little bedraggled – except for the glorious sunflowers. Hoping I can watch them dance until frost comes to visit.
I Hate Japanese Beetles!
September 7, 2008 by 7 Comments
Japanese Beetle © 2008
The Japanese beetle has invaded my gardens and yard. They have been voracious this summer and really inflicted a great amount of damage. The beetles eat the surfaces of the leaves, but avoid the vein which remains intact, and therefore the foliage looks lacy. However, it is not a pretty sight to any gardener.
Lacy Leaf Damage on Filbert Tree © 2008
The beetle was first discovered in the United States in 1916, and it is thought it was accidentally introduced in New Jersey in imported Japanese iris. The beetles are controlled in Japan by natural predators, but are unchecked in the US. They are found in every state east of the Mississippi River, except for Florida.
The best defense in my smallish garden is removal by hand – yuk! There are traps using pheromones, but some studies show the traps can actually attract more beetles than they catch. I’m not one to use much in the way of chemical control if possible, but I”ve been using Bonide from Garden Naturals in the worst areas and that seems to have helped.
Anyone else fighting these pests successfully with other means?
Stalking the Clouds
September 7, 2008 by 7 Comments
Next to a Cornfield © 2008
Not all of my hiking has me wandering through prairie land. Today’s hike started in prairie and ended up with me coming face to face with an endless expanse of cornfield. This Midwestern corn is tall stuff when you get up close. And surprisingly noisy. Lots of insects buzzing and crickets cricketing and birds swooshing. Critters scooting between the rows of corn. It’s rather a mini eco-system in it’s own way.
The Enlightened Man
September 6, 2008 by 6 Comments
Carving on Carousel © 2008
He looks rather like a minor god of the carousel, but I can’t find any information about this guy.
The carving, lit to full effect, graces the Parker Carousel at Ella’s Deli on the east side of Madison. It is one of fewer than 75 operational, original carousels in the country. The carousel was built in 1927 in Leavenworth, Kansas, and operated in a park in North Tonawonda, New York for 20 years. When the park closed the carousel was dismantled and stored for years, and when brought to Madison, it required intensive restoration.
The carousel became operational in 1976 and has been a favorite of kids and adults alike for more than 30 years. I’ve taken quite a few spins of the ride myself, entertainment for my three kids. Okay, I admit it. Entertainment for me too. I love the slow spin, and the up and down horses (and camel) and keeping my eyes closed, listening to the pipe organ music.
You can almost imagine a scene out of the 1930s.
Leaping Camel
September 5, 2008 by 3 Comments
Leaping Camel on Carousel © 2008
This seemed like an appropriate photo for a Friday evening, the beginning of the week-end after a long week. We might do well to celebrate – maybe take a giant leap for joy like this great carousel camel.
What? Carousel camel?
