Canadian Falls

Maid of the Mist and Canadian Falls

Maid of the Mist

Maid of the Mist

Canna

Cleome

Canadian falls

Canadian falls

American Falls and Rainbow bridge

American Falls

Tower with viewing

View from restaurant of Canadian falls

American falls with crumbled rocks

View from restaurant of Canadian falls

View from restaurant of Canadian falls

Starfish Cactus

A couple years ago, a friend gave me some cuttings from her cactus. They rooted and were then planted in soil and left to grow in the greenhouse. This spring, I brought the cactus outside and put it on the deck with many other plants that had wintered over inside.

Today, as I was watering the plants on the deck, I noticed a start flower on that same cactus. What a thrill!  Of course, I had to photograph it and found it very interesting in its details.

The name is Orbea variegata syn. Staphilia - Starfish cactus and you can see why when you look at the shape. The outside flower is a star.  Look carefully at the macro shots inside the flower. The shape of 5's is consistent right down to the center of the flower.  Love the consistency in nature!

Orbea variegata syn. Staphilia - Starfish cactus  

Sapsucker Woods

Sapsucker Woods and the Lab of Ornithology are a short distance from my home, so I went over there this evening in search of the Great Blue Herons.  The five fledglings and parents are supposedly still in the area, but I did not see them this evening. After having followed their development on the Cornell webcam, I was anxious to see them in person. Another time.

I did see a green heron cleaning itself on a log near the trail.  The photos here were taken in various locations around the pond.

Green heron

Water lily leaves

Pickerel

Water lily

Ithaca Gardens ready for the Garden Conservancy Tour

The final mulching was done today, with lighter mulch for the edging and path, to distinguish it from the darker mulch in the gardens. With the lack of rain this summer,  I have had to water a lot and this is municipal water!  Everything is in good shape and ready for the visitors on Saturday, August 4th, 10-4.  Let's hope it does not rain that day.

Pool Garden

Lucy lounging on the deck

Pool garden

Back yard berms and pond

Path to pond

bottom of berm

Lotus pond and rear berm

Lotus pond and rear berm

Back Yard and lotus pond

Path back to the house

Perennial garden