The Flora of Brier Island

At the Westport Cove lighthouse

much to our delight we found a rusty gate.

It had shed much rust

which we gathered in paper bags.

The sea had left behind

a long tree of stitching inspiration.

As usual the rock forms drew my eye.

Beach pea was everywhere.

and the sun shone on huge areas

of cinnamon fern.

We couldn't identify these little waxy red leaves

but don't they show great promise for

natural dyeing!

We didn't pick anything

Most of Brier Island belongs to the Nature Conservancy.

Wild lily of the valley

The amazing pitcher plant.

Wish I had better pictures of it's underside

and the pitcher leaves.

Such a glorious day finding wild plants in bloom

all over the cliffs

and of course the pitcher plant

was in the bog inland from the cliffs.

White

This beauty drapes over a retaining wall

Just love it

Haven't a clue what it is though

Here's a close-up showing the flowers

and the old star shaped seeds

left over from last fall 

Know what it is?

A wild flower with a tutu

Lovely Surprises

Some lush flowers arrived from Brett.
They bring colour and the promise of spring into our white, white winterscape.

Thank you son, with LOL.

Some trees arrived.
All the way from Kaite in Australia.
Knitted Trees, who'd a thought!
One snow covered tree, one summer pine and one rusty autumn maple perhaps.
This generous gift has me thinking of how many different ways there might be to make trees with stitch and fabric.
Thank you, Thank you, Kaite.
How you got my address is a mystery to me.
BTW Kaite is very busy nowadays making quilts and taking donations for Emerald, one of the devastated flood towns of Queensland.

Wild Things Turning to Rust

Walking through the wilderness of my garden yesterday, I was intrigued by nature's cycles. Everything is dying back, yet each wild plant abounds in seeds ready to be taken on the wind and continue the invasion of my garden.

These two pics (above) are New England Asters which grow in the wild bits between garden and tangled woods.  Looks like there might be a few more next year.

Of course rusty pups inspected everything with me. Whenever I stop to take a pic this one plonks herself down at my feet.