Dispatch from the VT Woods

A damp and early spring came to Vermont this year.  The trilliums bloomed and gone, there was still winter debris left on the paths.  She came upon this eft newt slipping off a branch -- he was only trying to get a better view.  All was well as she scooped him up and perched him atop her head.  The walk allowed them both to clear their minds and with this new vantage, the adolescent newt could now grasp the extent of his habitat out of the pond.   

More info on the Eastern/red-spotted newt here.

Leonard Edmondson

I first encountered these mid century prints at the Norton Simon Museum in Proof: The Rise of Printmaking in Southern California, part of the Pacific Standard Time series.  They were just to the left of the exit, and I lingered on them longer than any other piece.   What you can't see on your screen is the texture of the ink, which made me want to rub my finger along the rich washes of color -- at the same time exciting and calming, like I could be sucked into the lush backgrounds.

Leonard Edmondson's Botanical Gardens II and Tropical Garden I from The Annex Galleries.

Just bought my ticket to Vermont...

Ice cream and boulders, warm nights and walks alone, and maybe even a dramatic thunderstorm if I'm lucky.

Lingering decks

I'm harboring dreams of low slung decks in the woods – easy access to adjacencies, a sense of open possibility and simple lines.  


top image/bottom image

Piet Oudolf

Until I am able to pull my thoughts together on why his designs are so right, here is some more info on Piet Oudolf.

Urban wildlife

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County has a new, beautiful garden designed by Mia Leher.  One of the coolest features is the series of critter cams set up about the place -- photos and videos capture the other world of birds, opossums, squirrels and the occasional cat. 

 For more, visit the museum's Flickr page here.  Found via L.A. at Home.

Horticultural Magic

One of the gardeners at work brought me this little posy the other day.   I wish hybridization was always this pretty.  I also wish I understood the science behind it a little better -- or maybe not?  The magic of the error makes it much more enjoyable.

For those wondering, this is a Burgundy Iceberg rose.