Argiope Aurantia aka, a Garden Spider

We spotted this amazing creature on my cousin's patio last night.
I didn't realize it at the time, but that zig zag pattern on the web below her is an identifying characteristic of this common Garden Spider.
"Their webs are usually characterized by a zigzag shaped stabilimentum (an extra thick line of silk) in the middle extending vertically."
Quite a large and impressive spider by local standards here in the suburbs of Northeast Ohio. We were somewhat terrified, but decided to merely photograph her and leave her to her web tending task. I hear she can be quite rude to her mate after she is done with him.
(after mating he dies and she might make a meal of him) Nice.

Mystery Fungus

It's been very humid and rainy in our region lately (Northeast Ohio) and these popped up in the mulch this week.
I tried to find out what they are. Closest guess is Peziza Recurved Palamino cup mushrooms, or some such thing. If anyone out there knows, do let me know in comments below!

Update: So after some searching I think I have found it.
Peziza repanda, commonly known as the Palamino cup or recurved cup.
Click here.

Spring!

At last!

What's happening in my garden this week...

wild geranium

Lily of the Valley

sweet woodruff

jack-in-the-pulpit

muguet bouquet

sweet woodruff

trillium

violets

violets

A perfect spider web

I discovered the most perfect spider web in my hosta patch this morning. I am afraid my photos just don't do it justice.  But I tried.

Focus on the Garden

there's a fungus among us.

September in our woods...

Can you spot the poison ivy?

Reminds me of a coral reef.

In Girl Scouts they told us to look for lichens on trees to determine which direction is North.

Echinacea (coneflower)

Nasturtiums. The easiest flowers on the planet to grow. So I plant some every year. We like them in salads.

The tall grasses are going to seed.

Spirea. Yes, it really is this color.

Oh deer, it's twins!

I heard a rustle in the woods in front of my house this morning. Looking out the window I discovered a small fawn dining on my hostas. (Can I get you some dressing for that salad honey?!)




















I ran for my camera, only to discover that Mama and a second fawn were following right behind the first.  Mama kept a close eye on me.

And then they were gone.

And so were some of my hostas.

Have An Ice Day!

The world has an icy coating this morning.

It's quite magical.

Garden of Eden

My UM art school friend Michael, moved his family to Bainbridge Island, Washington not long ago, and has done some incredible things with their home and yard. Yesterday he sent me these images of his new garden structure, which he designed and built himself.
Amazing.
Can’t wait to see how it looks once the plants have matured!
Michael is also an accomplished advertising genius and avid photographer. (Not to mention nature lover and family man.)
Can you believe this thing?!!



Latch:

Photos used by permission of Michael Nalley©2009