Lindy Low LeCoq

~ Hornet’s Nest? ~ WPC: Unlikely ~

Posted on May 8, 2018 by Lindy Le Coq

While walking with Jello on a wooded trail in our neighborhood, I stepped over this strange looking outgrowth. I leaned in closer to take a picture and was soon threatened by one of the hornets that were working the outgrowth.

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I don’t know what it is – or if it’s a hornet – though it likely is. I sent these photos to the local Agricultural Extension Service asking for assistance identifying it and to find out if it’s a nuisance pest.

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One thing I’m sure of, I’m unlikely to take that trail again until I know it is safe!

Unlikely

Posted in bugs & critters, Entomology, nature, outdoors, pacific northwest, weekly photo challenge | Tagged bugs & critters, Entomology, hornet, nature, pacific northwest, weekly photo challenge | 7 Comments

~ Frosted Violet ~ Wordless Wednesday ~

Posted on May 2, 2018 by Lindy Le Coq

Huechera ‘Frosted Violet’

Posted in flowers, Gardening, landscape gardening, Wordless Wednesday | Tagged flowers, gardening, huechera, landscape gardening, Wordless Wednesday | 2 Comments

~ May Day Bouquet ~ In A Vase On Monday + Curvy Lines ~ WPC: Lines ~

Posted on May 1, 2018 by Lindy Le Coq

The lilac shrub was offered to me by a neighbor, so I don’t know what variety it is and wish I did, because after living year-round in sun and open sky this Syringa is blooming well, staying compact, is not invasive, and as it shimmers in spring breezes emits a wonderful old lilac fragrance.

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This vase was a gift from a pottery teacher, shown with a paperweight and glass float, in filtered morning sunlight on an east facing window sill.

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Choisia blossoms add a bit of structure under the lilac. The generic tulips, planted last fall, have added a lovely burst of color and texture to what would otherwise be brown ground in prominent corners of my front gardens.

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I love the shape of the white star tulip and the blossoms have lasted throughout the bloom. The purple ones bloomed late and do not open more than this – even after being inside for a day, the mouth opened very little.

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Lilacs in a Vase on May Day cheer me immensely!

Here’s to Cathy at Rambling in the Garden!

Also in response to the Weekly Photo Challenge Lines. There are no straight lines in nature – and S curves are among the most soothing to my eye!

Posted in Art, flowers, In a Vase on Monday, landscape gardening, nature, pacific northwest, photography, weekly photo challenge | Tagged In a Vase on Monday, landscape gardening, lilac, photography, tulips, weekly photo challenge | 2 Comments

~ Lavish Lilac ~ Wordless Wednesday ~

Posted on April 25, 2018 by Lindy Le Coq

Posted in flowers, landscape gardening, nature, pacific northwest, Wordless Wednesday | Tagged landscape gardening, lilac, pacific northwest, Wordless Wednesday | 2 Comments

~ In A Vase On Monday ~ The Pond ~

Posted on April 24, 2018 by Lindy Le Coq

This evening I offer my pond, with sunlight filtering through evergreens and Camelia blossoms floating in the gentle current, as the backdrop for my posy of violets!

The vase is a favorite purchased from Orcas Island Pottery, USA.

Cheers to Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for hosting an inspiring site!

Posted in flowers, In a Vase on Monday, landscape gardening, pacific northwest | Tagged In a Vase on Monday, landscape gardening, pacific northwest, spring | 5 Comments

~ Doublefile Viburnum ~ WPC: Prolific ~

Posted on April 22, 2018 by Lindy Le Coq

Three years ago I started adding Viburnum shrubs to my gardens. They are maturing now and this spring several of the doublefile viburnums are blooming!

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The tiny buds are just beginning to open. With the forecast of more sunny days, by this weeks end these will be quite lovely.

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“Besides having attractive foliage and growth habits, the best viburnums also offer lovely—sometimes even fragrant—flowers. Many also boast colorful fruits and stunning fall foliage. In addition, the fruits are appealing to birds and other wildlife.” Ken Twombly http://www.finegardening.com/article/viburnums-are-versatile-shrubs

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The blossoms are held upright along the shrub’s outstretching branches and with each year will become even more prolific.

Prolific

Posted in flowers, Gardening, landscape gardening, nature, pacific northwest, weekly photo challenge | Tagged double file viburnum, landscape gardening, nature, pacific northwest, weekly photo challenge | 1 Comment

~ Emergence ~ Wordless Wednesday ~

Posted on April 18, 2018 by Lindy Le Coq

Fern with Hosta in the background.

Jack-in-the-pulpit – Arisaema triphyllum

Wake Robin – Trillium and Jacob’s Ladder – Polemonium

Posted in Gardening, landscape gardening, nature, pacific northwest | Tagged gardening, landscape gardening, nature, pacific northwest, plants | Leave a comment

~ In A Vase On Monday ~ Tulips Inside ~

Posted on April 16, 2018 by Lindy Le Coq

With no bright sunlight or warmth outside, in order to see what my new tulips look like once opened, I picked three blossoms. To add some other texture and color I added lilac, red-flowering currant and brunnera stems.

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The vase is a pottery piece I recently purchased at an art gallery in Long Beach, WA.

Brunnera Jack Frost, Ribes sanguinium, Syringa vulgaris and generic Tulipa

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The tulips are from an generic assortment I planted last fall. Thanks to Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for the excuse I needed to brave the cold and create a bouquet to photograph!

Posted in flowers, Gardening, In a Vase on Monday, nature, photography | Tagged gardening, In a Vase on Monday, nature, photography, tulips | 1 Comment

~ Two-Lips ~ WPC: Awakening ~

Posted on April 15, 2018 by Lindy Le Coq

“If every day is an awakening, you will never grow old. You will just keep growing.” Gail Sheehy

Spring is here, and so are the (almost) constant rains that make the Pacific Northwest such a verdant place! Since I took this photo ten days ago, more tulips have opened their lovely blossoms – reminding me the sun will shine again and usher in a procession of growth and cheer!

Photo Challenge: Awakening

A post from 2015 – “Wake Robin” – also is worth visiting in reference to this challenge: https://lindylecoq.com/2015/03/22/wake-robin-weekly-photo-challenge-fresh/

Posted in flowers, Gardening, landscape gardening, nature, pacific northwest, weekly photo challenge | Tagged flowers, gardening, landscape gardening, nature, pacific northwest, tulips, weekly photo challenge | 7 Comments

~ WPC: Smile ~

Posted on April 8, 2018 by Lindy Le Coq

When I walk the trails between The Breakers and the Pacific Ocean, I am filled with a sense of wonder and discovery. There is always something different or new to hear and see.

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Like this bird perched on top of a Shore Pine Tree, singing insistently! It was a drizzly morning, so I only had my iPhone camera. Still the shots were good enough that I could identify the bird later – White-crowned Sparrow. Oh what a smile his song gave me!

Several Mallard couples have worked out their territories within the marsh, but I could tell one of these pairs was not Mallard. As the intruders rapidly swam away from the residents, I snapped photos with my cell in hopes I could identify them later.

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This was another “first sighting” for me. Though it’s quite likely that I have seen these birds some other time/place in my lifetime, what makes this special is that on this occasion, I was able to identify the pair as Hooded Mergansers – female left, male right. That makes me smile!

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“It has to be Greater Yellowlegs,” I thought as I watched this beauty working the edge of the pond. I photographed (and identified) one last year – in about the same location. Not being absolutely sure I was right would haunt me though – so I snapped photos as I observed the rocking motion it made as it stepped forward. No doubt about it – Greater Yellowlegs!

Smile