Datura metel

This was the first bloom 

to open on my Datura metel,

otherwise known as 

Devil's Trumpet.

I didn't know about the Devil's Trumpet 

name until just now, while

doing some online research.

 

Isn't it amazing how much you

can learn in a moment's notice

like "How old is Vanna White"?

She's 58 and it only took me 

seconds to find the answer 

while we were watching Wheel of

Fortune last night. 

Anyway  Datura metel is poisonous,

especially the seeds and flowers.

Not that I'm going to try to eat it

or anything.

Just have to be careful when the 

grand kids are around.

Datura is considered a witches weed,

along with deadly nightshade,

henbane and mandrake.

Yikes.  It has a long history of

causing delirious states and death.

It was well known as an essential 

ingredient of potions and witches' brew.

(info from Wikipedia) 

But I just know it as an

interesting plant, with it's blossoms

that open up in the evening 

with the most intriguing tropical

scent.  The blooms whither away

the following day, especially if it's hot.

Wyntour Gardens Nursery Visit.

 On the way out to Wyntour Gardens Nursery

I passed by this barn with it's rusty roof.

I had to pull off to the side of the road

 to take photos.

      

I didn't bother going out to the nursery 

last year for two reasons. 

1. Drought

2.  We were saving for the cruise.

This year we're still in a drought,

seemingly worse than last year.

I still have a little area for gardening

that I will be watering.

The lawn is being sacrificed again 

this year, so that I can use the water

for flowers, herbs and vegetables.

Still, it was fun to wander around for an 

hour or so wishing and dreaming of 

good soil and plenty of water to grow

whatever I would have wanted.

The prices seem to have gone up since

the last time I was here.

There's plenty to choose from

with different sections for drought tolerant,

veggies, herbs, perennials, annuals,

butterfly and bee friendly... and on and on. 

Everything in bloom.

Wagons parked here and there 

with plants ready to head for 

their new homes.

They have interesting water fountains

everywhere.

 $769.99 for the spiral water fountain.

I only took a photo of it because I thought

it was just a bit odd.  I wouldn't want this

one, but it was interesting.

 I did purchase a black Petunia

because the color was so dark

and unusual.

It's a Crazytunia (TM) Black Mamba.

Succulents in the dappled morning shade.

At the ends of each isle,

they had expensive containers

planted with beautiful flowers.
I was paying attention to the plant

combinations and what made

the collections attractive.

Each container had a mixture of plants

that seemed to include spike-y plants

along with trailing ones, different shaped 

leaves, and color combos.

Seems like they used lots of lime green

plants for a huge pop of color and interest.  

Some of my favorites aren't the really showy 

flowers. I tend to like the salvia's and sages

and plants that attract bees and butterflies.

Out in my garden:

The bees were buzzing and the 

birds were sharing turns getting water

in the bird baths. 

It was nice to be able to spend some

time outside this morning in the garden.

Peaceful.

Sunday Morning

Sunday morning, while having our first

cup of coffee, we made a quick decision

to head out to the lake.

I  packed some breakfast

burritos made with leftover egg,

 herb, and potato fritatta

We poured the rest of the coffee

from the pot into a thermos 

and we were heading to the lake 

just an hour  later.

  

The early morning sun

  highlighting the colors of the

lake and the exposed lake bed.

The photo above 

is a cropped portion of this photo.

I wonder if the goose spent the 

night up on the roof.

Our timing was right to catch 

a photo of the train heading north

 on the Pit River bridge.

The Pit River bridge is what the

old timers call it. 

 It has been renamed the 

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge, 

which is honorable, but it's hard to

think of this bridge as anything other than 

the Pit River bridge.  

The geese were noisily honking their way

across the lake in front of us.

The lake was busy with house boaters,

and fishermen.  In just a few weeks,

the louder crowd of skiers, and summer 

boaters will occupy the lake with their

parties, and racing boats pulling skiers

round and round.  Personal watercraft

will buzz around like angry bees.

Summer isn't our favorite time on the

lake, but we'll make do with very early 

morning trips out.

The lake was 75 feet below the crest on Sunday.

It's closer to noon in these photos.

The light has changed and the lake 

has taken on a green hue.

It was a very nice way to spend some

time Sunday morning. It actually felt

like a vacation day.

Continuing on with that feeling

we decided to have lunch at the marina

restaurant.  

This last photo was taken with my 

phone from the outdoor deck

where we shared a sandwich.

Man, it was really nice out there...,

but then we came home

and it was back to our 

never ending "to do" chore list.

Photos From My Phone at the Marina.

The swallows made progress

 with their nests while we were gone.

There were birds in most of the nests

with their little dark brown heads 

peeking out of the openings.

I like the upstairs nests.

I only had my cell phone camera

with me last night as we

  went to the marina for 

a quick stop to 

pay the slip rent and check

on the boat.

I spied a new name

to add to my collection of boat names.

This one is a nod to

 Little Big Town's song,

 'On The Pontoon'.

"Making waves and catching rays..."

Have a great weekend.