photography – Barbolian Fields

All Hallows’ Magic in the October Garden

January 17, 2020October 31, 2017

All Hallows Magic in the Willows

Travels in Ecuador

June 22, 2017April 6, 2017

We did something drastic this February to escape those drizzly grey days so typical in the Pacific Northwest: we ran away to Ecuador. Some might say that was a bit extreme…and indeed it was, in every way imaginable.

Why Ecuador? For the ecological diversity, the culture, the climate, the coffee, the chocolate… to name a few good reasons.

Favorite Garden Photos of 2013

January 17, 2020December 29, 2013

Phacelia curl — A drop of water caught in the curl of a phacelia blossom. The bees love this plant!

Oxalis — Oxalis in the woodland garden.

Morels — Morels growing out of the mulch!

Lupine cone — Lupine cone and leaf: such symmetry!

Lupine buds — Such an INTENSE purple in the lupine buds, perfectly arranged!

Iris Tongue — The jaws open wide, beckoning pollinators.

garden mushroom — Wherever we mulched, there they were: mushrooms!

Potentilla cinquefoil — Potentilla cinquefoil grows out by the beehives amongst the asters. It blooms long into the year.

Borage blossom — Soft and delicate blue: the borage blossoms taste a bit like cucumbers.

Borage Bud — Covered with downy hairs, can you think of anything more symmetrical than the borage bud?

Mashua blossom — I was so happy to see these bloom in the late fall! Mashua blossoms, somewhat like a nasturtium, but with edible roots (and leaves and flowers). Such a pretty light orange!

Medlar fruit — The Medlar is such a gorgeous autumn fruit! The leaves turn fall hues of yellow, gold, orange, and brown. A few days after this picture was taken, the wind blew all the leaves away, leaving only the fruit. It tastes a bit like baked apples!

Sunset Pastels — We get such gorgeous sunsets over the Olympic Mountains!

Blazing Sunset — The sunsets can change from sweet pastels to blazing oranges in a matter of moments! Such a fiery sky from our backdoor! Life is good!

Spiderweb on Fennel — In October, everything is suddenly covered with spiderwebs, highlighted by morning dew. The fennel plants are particularly beautiful!

Dew clinging to spiderweb — On October mornings, the world literally sparkles with the dewdrops clinging to spiderwebs.

Spiderweb stretch — The ladder-like symmetry of spiderwebs is its strength!

Echinacea bud — I am attracted to the symmetry in nature - as in this echinacea bud. How does it do that?

Maximilian Sunflower — Maximilian Sunflowers: tall, spindly, blooming long into fall - I love these delicate perennial cousins to the Mammoth varieties!

Codonopsis flower — The codonopsis has a lot of outstanding medicinal qualities; however, the bell-shaped flower is muted in color and relatively obscur. I love the subtlety and the power of this herb.

Maximilian Sunflower Bud — The Maximilian Sunflower bud is a spiky contrast to the sunshine yellow flower it opens up to be.

Cardoon under snow — Heavy under the weight of an early wet snow: cardoon

Sunchoke flower — Sunchokes (or Jerusalem artichokes) stand tall against the sky. I have a fondness for these flowers in the Asteraceae family!

Artichoke flower — Ever wonder what the difference is between an artichoke and a cardoon flower? Well, this is an artichoke 🙂

Hollyhock lit by sun — Illuminated by a morning sun, this hollyhock blossom seems to glow!

Honey bee on leaf — I can't seem to get enough close-up pictures of honeybees! Such amazing creatures!

Hollyhock center — Why are bees so attracted to hollyhocks? This is one reason.

Scorzonera flower — Who would guess that the rather plain-looking scorzonera plant would produce such beautiful blossoms and seed pods! Ah, but it's a member of the Asteraceae family, after all...

raspberries — The Tulameen raspberries were particularly productive, thanks to the bees!

Malabar Squash blossom — The blossoms of the Malabar Squash (or Figleaf Gourd) are large enough that 2 and even 3 bees can be in a bloom at a time!

Bee on Poppy — I took this picture on the Solstice. The bee seems to be dancing on this poppy blossom!

Honeybee Swarm — 2013 was the year of the Honeybee Swarm! We ended up with 6 hives, beginning with 2. It seemed like one swarm after another, and then finding them new homes. Hope they make it through the winter!

Honeybee Close-up — Once you get to know them, the honeybees are gentle, soft creatures with an amazing work ethic!

Frozen Toad — This toad decorates one of the spiral gardens. In early January, it appeared to have sprouted a frosty growth of hair!

New Year's Day Rose — January 2013 began with a gorgeous rose in full bloom! This is an old-fashioned climbing variety with a wonderful fragrance!

Field of Dandelions — The dandelions are prolific in our back field. Aren't they gorgeous?! I love them!

Bachelor Button — The intense blue of a common Bachelor Button - is there a flower that can match it? and check out the intricate lace in the center - almost like a Celtic knot!

Frosty Morning at Barbolian Fields

January 15, 2013January 10, 2013

Frost is on the grapevine! The dill looks like a sparkling fireworks! And our friend, Toad, well, he looks like he could use a little warm sunshine!