A year ago this time the iris were at their height. But with the steady temps over 85 for the past 7 days, they’re mostly done now. All the same, I decided to stroll through some older neighborhoods in Vancouver to see what the gardeners were up to.
First find was the brightest honeysuckle I’ve ever seen.
Second was this variegated rose.
These “red hot pokers” are usually red. I liked the change.
I don’t know the name of this dogwood, but it’s a favorite of mine.
As I was snapping away at various blooms and configurations, a car pulled over and informed me of a juvenile raven beside the sidewalk. I approached slowly. I can attest that there was a rank smell about him. It was probably from the regurgitated kills he (or she) was being fed.
At this proximity both parents approached with a great clamor. Junior here went into feeding mode.
I don’t know if this fellow was in danger — or injured in some way. (His right eye appeared to be opaque — but may have just been the angle of the light.) Both parents were in the branches above. I never saw them make contact with him. Just goes to show that you never know what you’ll find.
Backyard and Beyond 