Finding Internet access has not been easy. But I have to post these pictures. The log home has been vacant for almost 10 months. So when I found what were in the garden, I was pleasantly surprised. With the temperature reaching 30C here in southern Alberta, and the amount of rain we’ve been getting in the last month, the garden has started to grow, albeit with all the unwanted weeds as well.
I can tell from the design and the variety, this country garden wrapping around the log home was once cultivated with much TLC. Even among the thorns and thistles now, and without human maintenance, I can see beautiful flora, ferns, and bushes blooming in resilience. Here are a few samples from this once glorious garden. I also must admit my ignorance in naming some of them…although the Alberta wild rose I can readily recognize…No, that wasn’t the Alberta wild rose as one commenter corrected me. These must be some kind of cultivated garden roses.
All you green thumbs, nature lovers, bird watchers, and naturalists, please help me out here. I’d appreciate if you’d identify these other beautiful flowers and creatures:
another view here:
These look like lilacs, but I’ve always seen purple, not white:
And these lovely ones with blue petals:
Forgot its name:
And this creature…with it’s black stripes on a brown body, and the buzzing sound it gave out, I thought I was photographing a wasp of some kind. So after a few quick shots, I stepped out of its way. But when I saw it on my computer, I was amazed it had such beautiful wings…is it just a moth?
And this bird that gets so attached to the feeder on the fence…first the front view:
and the back:
Looking at the exuberance and beauty of life here in this derelict patch, I’m reminded of a precious quote:
Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!
……….
Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!
*****
Ripple Effects 
Wow! What beautiful photographs you took. There is a lot of white lilac in Washington along with purple. I’m in Seattle right now and my flower and bird books are in California so I won’t be much help but I’ll have my gardener friends take a peek tomorrow and see if they might know…
Thanks Ellen!
Arti
LikeLike
That is a hummingbird moth (I was astounded the first time I saw one) Here is a link to a site that gives some info.
Thanks so much Kym for identifying that beautiful creature for me, and also the link. This is the first time I’ve heard of a hummingbird moth…and that’s an informative site too.
Arti
LikeLike
How fun to click into your blog from your linked name in a comment you left on my blog to discover home! Although not in Alberta anymore, it is where I was born, and where my heart and soul dwell. Beautiful images, I look forward to returning to see more.
Well howdy! since it’s the first day of Stampede here, and welcome back home! It’s good to know I’ve got some fellow Albertan in the blogosphere. Thanks for dropping in…and for sure, you’re welcome to come home anytime you want.
Arti
LikeLike
Hey Arti, I can’t quite tell the kind of flower that blue one is, but it reminds me of hardy geraniums. There are some amazing colours in that family. I love the blue you’ve caught in the bird’s head and shoulders.
They are small flowers about 1 to 2 inches wide. I know it’s a bit hard to tell from the closeup pic. The bird has shiny blue feathers, swift and elegant…at first I thought it’s a swallow, but not sure now.
Arti
LikeLike
Oh and the second set of flowers are some kind of clematis, I think.
Thanks!
LikeLike
Lovely!
Thanks Shari.
A.
LikeLike
Hi, Arti,
I’ve sent a link for this wonderful page to a friend at WeatherUnderground who is a horticulturalist and a crackerjack at identification. When she has time I’m sure she’ll take a peek.
I think the bird is a tree swallow: http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/site/backyard_birds/bird_id/tree_swallow.aspx. With that forked tail and the coloring, it certainly is in the swallow/martin/flycatcher family. We have barn swallows that look very much like it. The site I referenced will link you to songs and calls as well, so you can compare what you hear from the little beauty with what’s been recorded for the tree swallow.
I must confess I had to drag out the map for Alberta – I was amazed to see you’re roughly north of another internet acqaintance who ranches outside of Kalispell. All of my Canadian experience has been in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. It was lovely, but I surely would enjoy seeing those mountains!
Have you done any reading of Alain de Botton?
I just brought home “How Proust Can Change Your Life” and “The Art of Travel”. I know nothing of him, but found a reference and he seemed interesting. Prolific, too!
Many thanks for the lovely posts.
Linda
Hi Linda, thanks for identifying the bird…yes, it does look like the tree swallow according to your link. And you’re right, Kelispell is in the Whitefish area, which is close to the Glacier National Park that extends north towards Alberta. Montana is our neighbor to the south. Actually, if you want to dig into your map some more, the log home is close to the town of Cochrane, northwest of the City of Calgary, where I live. Calgary has a population of 1 million…so you see how ignorant an urbanite like myself is around the rural country.
No, I haven’t read Alain de Botton’s work, although I’ve come across that book about “Proust” which you mentioned. The title sure sounds interesting.
Thanks for giving me the link to the tree swallow and for asking around in your WU network. There are lots to explore here in Alberta, and I’m fortunate to be so close to the beauty of nature as a city dweller…Banff National Park is only an hour’s drive from us.
Arti
LikeLike
How nice of you to share these colorful pictures. What a glorious garden with all those flowers. Someone must have given them loads of TLC.
I don’t have a green thumb but love the nature. Please continue to update us…. I love surprises.
While most of you are gardening in N. America or soaking in the sun. It’s winter Down Under, I’m all bundled up in layers…having hot chocolate before heading to bed. Good night all…z z z z z.
From a chilly winter night in Sydney.
While it’s sizzling here at 30C, I never thought one would be experiencing winter in July. But I’m sure there are winter delights in Australia. Enjoy your stay there… and you’re welcome to come back anytime if you need some warming.
Arti
LikeLike
You always have the nicest photos on your blog :>)
Thanks for your comment… glad to have you stop by again.
Arti
LikeLike
Well, I had just have to say what a pleasure it was to peruse your photos this morning. Thank you for sharing those glimpses – the bird is breathtaking.
Thanks for your visit Sarah. Yes, I’ve enjoyed those birds too… a couple of them have a real affiliation with the feeder on the fence… they don’t fly too far from it.
Arti
LikeLike
Dear Arti,
This is a side of you I’ve never seen. Keep up with the photos! I truly enjoyed it.
Diana
LikeLike
may i use a picture of the wild rose for a school project. thank you
.
mikki,
For school, yes. But be sure to cite your source. Thanks for asking first.
Arti
LikeLike
Alberta wild rose has only 5 petals (unless a mutant) probably and escaped Alberta garden
rose 🙂
LikeLike
Mike,
Of course you’re right, I saw a lot of them while walking in Edworthy Park a couple of days ago. I’ve just changed that part in my post. Thank you for correcting me. 😉
LikeLike