I put this one up today to remind myself what the rain used to look like...
All righty, let's head over to the beach. Out on Sand Key, there's a few terns that have been hanging around, camouflaging themselves within the rocks.
Cute lil' guys, yes? I love the way they stick together, even when the going gets rough. ;)
Now as an aside, I'd like to thank you all for your calls and letters and cards recently! I am ok and would like to start bloggin again on a more regular basis. (Yes, I know you've heard that one before.. but there is always hope!) I will add that coming home to a dog-free house is a very empty feeling, indeed. The other day the giant egret returned to feast on the pond fish, and instinctively, I opened the door to sic Buddy on him. Oy!
Moving right along...Spring is here at last! And in the Tampa Bay area and we're moving headlong into gardening season. Lots on the agenda, as I am tackling both the front yard along the drive-way, and I also took a deep breath and have begun to tear up the back yard as well.
I am a tad frustrated by the lack of water wise plants at the box nurseries such as Home Depot and Lowes. Yes, there are some plants... but not enough! While I usually frequent the smaller nurseries for their excellent stock for Xeriscaping, I think Home Depot and Lowes should get off their collective arses and recognize that most of the country is in a drought situation, and it seems to me they should be urging their suppliers to provide more xeriscape plants. That will probably never happen as the water loving annuals are big money makers for them.
They also need better trained staff. Earlier this week at Lowes, the sales guy told me that if the plants were displayed in the sun, then that meant they were water- wise plants. Ahem. 95% of the plants on the display table in the full sun had the label: "semi-moist."
Stocking large quantities of water loving annuals seems about as irresponsible as AIG accepting gov't welfare checks to hand over to their CEO's...
Ohh! see what you got me started on.....
Anyway, I'll bring you that post on the driveway project that I never did write about, and photos of the garden bench that I wrote about, ahem, last fall!
In the meantime, go see Dani's new pond... unless, you know, you're an Egret...
Beautiful pictures, Laura! :-)
Posted by: pam | March 19, 2009 at 01:42 PM
My rain barrels went dry a long time ago. *Sigh*
Here's some of the natives that I've had good luck with in the sun: Pennyroyal, Palafoxia, Blanket flower, Yellowtop, Greeneyes and Goldenrod. I have seeds from most of them if you want to try growing them. Just let me know and I can drop them in the mail for you. :)
Posted by: Dani | March 19, 2009 at 02:22 PM
Sweet! You're back!
I think your terns might be wearing Ruddy Turnstone costumes, but I could be mistaken. Terns are sneaky that way.
Wishing you a pup (Lab vote) soon.
Posted by: FC | March 19, 2009 at 02:40 PM
FC, is absolutely right! They are wearing Ruddy Turnstone costumes. I just lumped them into the Tern category in a fit of laziness.
Odd, too, because I actually have photos of the Ruddy birdstone on this site somewhereabouts.
And Labs are high on the list. (It's a short list. Only one breed is on it...)
Dani, great idea! I should come by and pick them up and see your pond!
Posted by: Laura | March 19, 2009 at 03:44 PM
That first shot, the flower? Is beautiful!!!
Posted by: Janet | March 19, 2009 at 08:40 PM
Yes, Ruddy Turnstones.
Best,
P.
http://sicluceatlux.wordpress.com
Posted by: paulie | March 20, 2009 at 06:40 AM
It's nice to know you're coming back.
I would never trust anything salespeople tell me about plants (in those stores).
Posted by: kenju | March 20, 2009 at 04:26 PM
Judy, you have to take it with a grain of salt! ;)
Thanks Paulie!
Posted by: Laura | March 21, 2009 at 09:25 AM
Beautiful photos, Laura!
Posted by: Sonia A. Mascaro | July 26, 2009 at 12:26 AM