Pine Palette

 

Male Valley Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa varipuncta)

Photo by Matthew Field, via Wikipedia

I saw one of these guys in the old garden yesterday, but was cameraless at the time.  I've seen the black female Valley Carpenter Bee, but never the male.  This guy was just so golden, especially in the fading evening light.  These bees are just so big and somewhat awkward, almost like a blimp with a bad engine, bopping down on the flower heads.  I can see how they get their common name of "bumble".

I'll try to catch a photo of him myself this weekend.

More info on Wikipedia and What's That Bug?

Worn out

At the end of his days (7, to be exact).  Such a short lived green ghost.

Thanks for the photo, Mom.

You've got to be kidding me....

Photos Jean-Luc Fournier. Courtesy Art:concept, Paris, and Zero Gallery, Milan.

Jeweled caddis fly larvae cases by Hubert Duprat as featured in CABINET, Issue 25, Spring 2007.

The bugs like the baubles.  

Via evencleveland (one of the most well thought-out blogs I've ever seen). 

Angie Lewin's Prints

Angie Lewin's prints capture what I dream about -- desks covered with remnants of long walks (dried seaweed, feathers, rocks and flowers), graphic plant stalks rustling, and colors that soothe.  I will be treating myself to her book, Garden Wisdom, with my next paycheck, and maybe someday I can afford an original print.  Reproductions in greeting card form found here.

Wooly Friends

Dang.  This one already sold.  He would have looked nice in my new attic office with my other owl friends.  More on them later.

via Erie Basin

The Perfect Wallet

I realize this is not the least bit related to gardens or nature, but I love these wallets.  The little embossed bird, the perfect leather, the multiple pockets (I love pockets), a wallet that can be carried on its own when you don't feel like carrying a purse.  Exactly what I've been looking for!  Too bad they're $395.

From Alder & Co.