Jelly Fish

Well, today I was at our local beach with my friend Robyn. We noticed several large jellyfish were washing ashore. They were as large as a dinner plate, kind of a maroon/brick colour with transparent things around the body. The body was quite thick as well.... nothing that I have ever spotted locally around here, and have yet to identify the species on the web yet. It's kind of pretty, though.

Bug identified

Well apparently the beetle is not a beetle - it is a bug. And not a very nice one either. Eric the "Bug" expert says: "Not a beetle, but a "giant water bug" in the genus Lethocerus. Also known as "electric light bugs" since they often fly to lights at night and get "stranded." Highly predatory on any other aquatic organism they can overpower. Bite with beak-like mouthparts, so be careful of that "business end!" Since we have a very large pond out back - I am sure it has attracted this guy (and no doubt there are more). And of course we have lights on our front patio and a very large bright bug zapper - which will also attract them. Dear oh dear! http://bugguide.net/node/view/13706

Another Dreadful Bug

Well Gypsy surprised me last night on the garden patio with a very large and creepy beetle. It was at least 3 inches long, hard shelled and made a crunchy sound when it climbed up the arbor. I got a shot of it before I ran into the house. It was already dark out so I wasn't taking any chances. I can't believe some of the bugs on Bowen Island. Here is a photo taken as it very quickly climbed. It's a beetle of some sort. I sent the photo to Eric the best bug guy on the planet. I am sure he will be able to tell me what kind of danger I was in.

Cats and Dog

I was out back last night snipping off my fox glove blooms which are done for the season. (I managed to harvest a million seeds to sow for next year up the back near the pond). All 3 of the critters came to hang out. Gypsy found a warm spot on a round of fir, Smoke on the newspaper I was using to collect the seeds, and Jake just took the spot with the best view. It was a peaceful evening the crickets were out, (Gyps had one for desert) the frogs were croaking and the odd Rufus hummer was still flying around. I filled a wheel barrow with my clippings so it was a productive evening. Summer seems to be winding down, although it is still warm. My garden is mostly done for the year, except for the late summer and fall bloomers that are starting to bud. Even though we have another month of summer left, when you watch the cycles in your garden you see the season from a different perspective.

Berry Harvest - August 2009

Well I just harvested my first crop of blueberries.. I simply had to take a photo of the yield. It was a young plant so I didn't expect to get berries this year but voila!!! Chris and I shared them, and Jake had 2. We had no idea he would enjoy blueberries.

My Very Yummy BBQ Sauce

Ok - many of you who have dined at 1520 have asked about my famous BBQ sauce. Well, it is time I shared it, so you too can enjoy it. This sauce is best with ribs and chicken. 1/4 c white vinegar 1 c ketchup (for you Aussies this is the stuff you dip your french fry into) 3/4 c water 1 tbsp Worsteshire sauce 1/4 c brown sugar 1/2 c minced onion and 1 diced garlic clove 1 tbsp butter option dash of tobasco and S&P to taste Combine all ingredients in saucepan and simmer on low for at least 10 minutes. Pour over ribs or chicken and let sit marinate for 1/2 hour. If using on steak or hamburger patties, just brush on before you BBQ. BBQ as normal.

Very Cool Dragon Fly

My ponds attracts all kinds of life, including this gorgeous dragon fly. This dragon fly was recently identified as a mature adult male "common whitetail," Plathemis lydia (aka Libellula lydia). Mature males get the powdery blue on the abdomen as they age. I think not only am I getting interested in gardening, birds and flowers, I may be getting into bugs as well.... well at least the pretty ones.. I still don't want anything to do with moths and wasp and recluse or hobo spiders (like the one that bit me last year).